Imphal, Aug 28: A recent report from the Karwan e Mohabbat (Caravan of Love), a citizens’ initiative dedicated to supporting victims of hate crimes, has shed light on the dire humanitarian situation in Manipur, where the state and central governments have been notably absent from relief efforts in strife-torn areas.
The report, titled “The Humanitarian Crisis in Manipur,” details the suffering and demands of internally displaced individuals in the region and raises serious concerns about the government’s response.
The Karwan e Mohabbat team conducted visits to five relief camps in Manipur between July 25 and July 28, aiming to assess the extent of the crisis and draw attention to the plight of those affected. The report, which spans 31 pages, was published on www.sabrangindia.in.
In its findings, the Karwan team lamented the virtual absence of both state and central governments from the relief camps, with only one camp, located in the Imphal valley, being run by the state government. The report explicitly states that government authorities have failed not only in their primary duty of protecting civilians but have also been conspicuously absent from efforts related to relief and rehabilitation.
Manipur, a state currently grappling with turmoil, has seen escalating violence since May 3, when a solidarity rally in the Kuki-dominated hills opposed the Meitei community’s demand for inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes list. The clashes that ensued have resulted in at least 168 deaths and the displacement of over 67,000 individuals from both communities. Despite the presence of central forces, the situation remains volatile, and there is no apparent roadmap for restoring normalcy.
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One of the most concerning observations made in the report is the “visible disparity” between the conditions in the Meitei camps and Kuki camps. Meitei camps reportedly received some form of government support, either through sponsorship by local MLAs or the utilization of government-owned buildings like colleges and sports complexes. In contrast, Kuki camps heavily relied on local churches and community contributions for support.
As the conflict persists, families who initially provided shelter to displaced individuals are now encouraging them to move to relief camps. The population within these camps is expected to grow, particularly in the hills, increasing the pressure on community organizations involved in relief efforts.
The report calls attention to the state government’s alleged bias in what is fast becoming a full-blown civil conflict. It highlights the shared grief among both the Meitei and Kuki camps, emphasizing the dire conditions faced by the latter. Malnutrition is becoming increasingly evident among children, who are reduced to consuming meager diets of watery rice with salt. Moreover, no camps have temporary schools, which further compounds the humanitarian crisis.
The report strongly criticizes the state and central governments for failing to establish camps with essential services such as safety, sanitation, nutrition, education, and healthcare. This failure is characterized as a “disgraceful abdication” of the state’s fundamental constitutional duties.
In light of the grim situation, the Karwan team suggests that both the Union and state governments should announce a comprehensive relief and rehabilitation program for all affected individuals. It emphasizes the importance of running humane and dignified relief camps, helping those affected by the violence rebuild their homes according to their wishes, and instituting visible peace-building measures between the two communities.
The report underscores the immediate need for action to alleviate and prevent further suffering among the internally displaced persons in Manipur. It calls for a proactive approach to address the humanitarian crisis and restore normalcy, emphasizing the importance of government involvement, support, and accountability in relief efforts.
