Loibol Khulen and the Cost of Silence

The first thing I reached for when I woke from a deep sleep was my phone. Reading the news has become part of my daily routine, and as I switched from browsing newspapers to checking my messages, my inbox delivered an unexpected shock.

At first, I assumed it was an ordinary message and delayed opening it for several minutes. When I finally checked, I was confronted with another disturbing report that landed directly in my inbox. I could hardly comprehend how events had unfolded.

The message read: "Loibol Khulen, near Tupul Village in the Tingkai area of Kangpokpi District, came under attack by NSCN-IM and its proxy ZUF(K) around 4:00 a.m. this morning. Seven houses were burned, and three villagers lost their lives."

As I read those words, my heartbeat quickened. What should have been a calm and refreshing morning was instantly consumed by anger, grief, and disbelief.

Who Allowed the Bullets to Speak?

In Manipur, it is often said that the voice of bullets determines the course of political decisions and governance. The people of the state have endured the politics of guns and violence for decades, regardless of which party has been in power. This reality reflects the deep fragility and complexity of a broken Manipur.

History has repeatedly shown that conflict claims innocent lives, while divisive politics transforms tensions into bloodshed. The events of the 1990s remain a painful reminder. Many Kukis believe that the violence associated with the 1993 Kuki-Naga conflict emerged within a GoI's political environment that allowed NSCN-IM to target Kuki communities in pursuit of the Greater Nagalim agenda.

Three decades later, many feel that history is repeating itself. The ethnic conflict that erupted in Manipur in 2023 has left deep scars, and many Kukis view it as another chapter in a long history of persecution and exclusion. From this perspective, successive governments have failed to protect vulnerable communities and have instead allowed divisive politics to flourish.

Today, even after the armed clashes between Meiteis and Kukis have largely subsided, fresh reports of violence involving NSCN-IM and its proxy group, ZUF(K), raise concerns that forces continue to operate in ways that keep the state unstable and fragile.

The Present Reality of Manipur

The unprecedented conflict that has engulfed Manipur has transformed the state into a landscape marked by bloodshed, displacement, and fear. Under such circumstances, the value of human life appears diminished, while dignity and justice seem increasingly absent.

Since May 3, 2023, much has been written and debated about the causes, actors, and consequences of the conflict. Yet the suffering continues. The latest violence, carried out by NSCN-IM and ZUF(K), risks pushing an already volatile situation toward deeper unrest and instability.

When the state fails to uphold its constitutional responsibility to protect its citizens, victims remain victims. Many Kukis question why authorities appear indifferent when their communities become targets of violence. They ask why the suffering of ordinary people often receives attention only after lives have already been lost.

The wounds of the past also remain unhealed. Many Kukis continue to seek justice for the violence they experienced during the 1990s and again in 2023. No comprehensive peace settlement has addressed these grievances, and many feel that their concerns have been ignored. As a result, a perception persists that Kukis have repeatedly become easy targets in larger political struggles shaped by competing interests and divisive agendas.

Conclusion

Life becomes increasingly difficult when burdens are continuously placed upon those who are already vulnerable. It becomes even more painful when the powerless become victims of guns and bullets.

The Loibol Khulen incident is not merely another violent episode. To many, it symbolizes a broader failure to prevent armed groups from operating freely and threatening civilian lives. It raises serious questions about the commitment of authorities to maintaining peace, security, and stability in the region.

The tragedy also highlights the gap between official assurances of peace and the realities experienced by communities living under the shadow of violence. As long as armed actors are able to operate with impunity, confidence in lasting peace will remain elusive.

Manipur cannot achieve genuine and lasting peace unless all communities, including the minority Kuki community, are constitutionally protected, politically safeguarded, and treated with equal dignity and respect. Otherwise, the continued failure of the state will allow guns and bullets to speak louder than dialogue, deepening mistrust and turning communities against one another rather than encouraging coexistence and reconciliation.