Shutdown, Protest, and Tragic Recollection: Manipur Prepares to Commemorate Two Years of Lingering Ethnic Tragedy on May 3
BY PC Bureau
Manipur is bracing for an emotionally fraught and politically charged May 3 as it marks two years since the outbreak of ethnic violence that shattered the fragile social fabric of the state. Although both the hill and valley communities are commemorating the day under the banner of reflection, their sharply contrasting narratives reveal a grim reality — the divide is not only lingering, but deepening.
Hill Observance: Shutdown, Prayer, and a Call for Separation
In the hill districts, the Kuki-Zo community will observe a total shutdown in solidarity with victims of the conflict. The Zomi Students’ Federation (ZSF) and the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) have urged closure of educational institutions and businesses in Kuki-Zo dominated areas. Citizens have been asked to hoist black flags at their homes and gather at the Martyrs’ Cemetery and the Wall of Remembrance in Churachandpur for a mass prayer and public programme.
The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) has taken a more politically assertive stance by declaring May 3 as “Separation Day.” Their programme will include speeches by tribal leaders, prayers for the deceased, and presentations of organisational reports — all aimed at reinforcing their demand for political separation from Manipur. “This is not just remembrance. It is a statement against systemic neglect and injustice,” said an ITLF spokesperson.
Kuki-Zo community in Manipur and across the nation will observe the 2nd Anniversary of Kuki and Meitei #SeparationDay on May 3, 2025. This is a call for Justice and Political solution for the Kuki tribal.@HMOIndia @MIB_India @PMOIndia @ANI @PTI_News @the_hindu… pic.twitter.com/rh9NS6eMVT
— Sumkawn (@Sumkawn) May 1, 2025
Valley Observance: Mourning, Resilience, and a Push for Unity
In contrast, organisations in the Imphal valley are framing the day as one of remembrance, resilience, and a renewed plea for justice. The Federation of Civil Society Organisations (FOCS) is holding a programme at Yumnam Khunou Community Hall, beginning at 10 a.m., to commemorate what they describe as “the violent aggression committed by armed illegal immigrants against the indigenous Meitei people.”
FOCS claims the May 3, 2023 violence was not spontaneous, but a “coordinated campaign of ethnic cleansing.” Thousands were displaced, and many still live as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in relief camps. “The scars are deep. Our land and identity were under attack. This day is both a mourning and a reaffirmation of our right to exist,” said a FOCS statement.
COCOMI Convention: Democratic Path or Hardened Position?
Further amplifying the valley’s voice, the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) will hold a public convention at 11:30 a.m. at Khuman Lampak Stadium, Imphal. The event will bring together scholars, civil society leaders, and community representatives to deliberate on the crisis and adopt a set of resolutions.
Over the past month, COCOMI has carried out extensive public mobilisation campaigns to build consensus on a “roadmap for peace.” Convenor Khuraijam Athouba sharply criticised the Indian government for failing to resolve the crisis. “This convention is a democratic expression of our will — a call for peace, but on terms that ensure the survival and dignity of the Meitei people,” he said.
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Event marks 2 years since the start of the Manipur conflict — citizens urged to participate and reflect. #Manipur #COCOMI #PeaceAndJustice #PublicConventionhttps://t.co/ZLO5toaoZm
— North East Monitor (@NEMonitor_) April 29, 2025
COCOMI has urged people to refrain from daily activities on May 3 and attend the convention, declaring that the resolutions passed will serve as a blueprint for the future of the state.
A Fractured Commemoration of Shared Pain
Though the events on May 3, 2023, were born from the same tragic outbreak of violence, the stories being told today are drifting further apart. While both communities claim victimhood, justice, and the right to heal — the diverging narratives and slogans like “Separation Day” versus “Day of Integrity” suggest that reconciliation is not yet within reach.
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For the Kuki-Zo, May 3 has become a symbol of betrayal, displacement, and an ongoing fight for self-determination. For the Meitei, it remains a day of mourning, survival, and a rallying cry for unity and justice.
This year’s theme — “Bridging Divides for Shared Future” — rings more as a distant aspiration than an imminent reality, as shrill rhetoric from both sides continues to harden positions.
If the second anniversary is meant to foster healing, the parallel observances on May 3 may instead underscore how much further Manipur must travel before its wounds can begin to close.
