New Delhi: Efforts by displaced families in Manipur to rebuild their lives suffered a major setback this week after fresh gunfire forced villagers to abandon their homes barely a day after returning. Hundreds of people who had been living in relief camps in the valley areas for more than two years had begun returning to their village near the foothills in Bishnupur district, escorted by district officials. Many of the houses they approached were damaged or reduced to ruins, untouched since the violence of May 2023.
The fragile return was disrupted on Tuesday night when sounds of automatic gunfire echoed from nearby hill areas. Within minutes, security forces deployed in the area fired warning rounds in response. No injuries were reported, but the incident triggered panic, forcing families to flee once again in search of safety.
Villagers alleged that the firing was intended to intimidate them and prevent resettlement. By Wednesday morning, some residents reported finding small craters in agricultural fields, suggesting the use of crude mortar-like explosives. An official case has been registered in connection with the incident, citing indiscriminate firing by armed groups from the hills.
The affected village lies close to the inter district boundary between Bishnupur and Churachandpur, an area that witnessed intense clashes during the peak of the ethnic conflict in 2023. The latest violence occurred just days after a high level visit by the President, who had appealed for peace, reconciliation, and coexistence between hill and valley communities.
The incident has deepened existing tensions, with civil society organisations from both communities trading sharp accusations. Hill based groups reiterated demands for a separate administrative arrangement, arguing that resettlement without a political resolution would escalate tensions. Valley based organisations described the firing as a grave security failure, warning that armed elements were operating with impunity despite central administration.
Statements from multiple groups described the attack as a deliberate attempt to derail rehabilitation efforts and intimidate displaced families. Concerns were also raised over selective enforcement and the lack of visible deterrence against armed actors in sensitive districts.
The ethnic violence in Manipur, rooted in disputes over land rights, political representation, and identity, has claimed over 260 lives and displaced nearly 50,000 people. While large scale clashes have subsided, deep mistrust remains. Talks continue, but disagreement persists over whether displaced people can safely return home before a broader political settlement is reached, leaving thousands trapped between uncertainty and fear.
