“We are aware of the risks and even the possibility of death, yet we stand together because the issue is bigger than individual fear. We have no fear of judgment or injuries because this struggle is about dignity, justice, and the future of our community,” Dusarat Kshetrimayum, a youth actively participating in the recent protests in Manipur, stated.
Manipur continues to grapple with conflict, displacement, and mistrust, as communities struggle to cope with loss and what many experience as silence from political institutions. Public agitations have, over time, come to be seen as one of the few remaining channels through which grievances can be expressed.
“From the outside, some may interpret what is happening in Manipur as anti-national, but the reality is much more complex. For many, it is not about being against the nation; it is about feeling unheard, unprotected, or treated unfairly. This perception itself is a challenge for the State,” Chongtham Cheenglai Lakpa, founder of the youth-led initiative ‘For better Kangleipak’, who has been actively protesting on social media, stated.
The wounds of 2023 still remain unattended as reports show over 58,881 people displaced, 10,000 homes damaged and 260 deaths recorded in Manipur as of March 2026. The Tronglaobi incident on April 7, which took the life of an infant and a toddler, followed by the death of three protestors, has, in Kshetrimayum’s words, made “the grief unbearable.”
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“People are confused and do not know who to pour out their frustration and anguish to. At times, it is directed at the government or security forces, and at times at activists and journalists,” Philem Singh, who has also been actively protesting, stated. He further added that the persistence of the protests reflects a larger public sentiment, saying, “People want change now. There is a growing sense of ultimatum among the public—that things cannot continue the way they have. That is why these protests will not end anytime soon.”
Singh also noted that anger towards security personnel often arises when new officers are stationed without fully understanding the context of the State and its people. Resonating with Singh, Lakpa added, “It often comes from lived experiences. Here, people feel there has been bias, delayed response, or unequal treatment. Whether the perception is fully accurate or not, what matters is that these feelings are real for the people experiencing them.”
What this breakdown looks like on the ground was seen on April 17 and 18. When protestors bearing torches marched towards security forces blocking the road, the lines at the barricades did not just blur—they collapsed. Amidst the shouting and pushing came the gunshots and tear gas shells deployed. Videos circulating online showed detained individuals allegedly being kicked and punched, while private property, including CCTV cameras in residential areas, appeared to be vandalized. In the aftermath, 21 individuals were arrested for their involvement in alleged violent activities.
In response to the incident, the following day Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam addressed the media, stating that security forces do not resort to excessive measures during non-violent protests. Superintendent of Police Ksh Shivakanta Singh also stated, “Over the past few days, several Meira (Women Torch Bearers) rallies have been taking place in different parts of the city. However, in multiple instances, anti-social elements posing as protestors have engaged in violent activities. These include the use of petrol bombs, catapults fitted with iron projectiles, and stone pelting targeting security forces. Many participants in these rallies were found to be under the influence of liquor or other intoxicants.”
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Between official statements and public anger, perception does not just shape reality, it begins to replace it. Singh has called on the people, saying, “Let us vote wisely. Let us not sell ourselves to money or power. We need representatives who can go to Delhi and speak for us with the mindset that ‘my people will hold me accountable if I do not!’”
In a state where grief remains unresolved and trust continues to erode, the voices on the streets are not just expressions of dissent, but reflections of a deeper struggle to be heard. Dismissing them as disorder may be easier but it avoids the harder question of why so many have come to believe that being heard now requires being seen in conflict.