Manipur’s Students Grapple With The Harsh Realities of Displacement

The ongoing violence in Manipur has had an impact beyond the state borders. It has disrupted the lives of the young, especially students. Many have been forced to flee the violence in their home state, and restart their lives in different areas. They and their families are now grappling with the harsh realities of this displacement.

How are students, both residents, and refugees, managing to live in times that are riddled with questions of death, poverty, and precarity? “I went to places I never would have thought I needed to go,” Iso, a 22-year-old student at the Shillong commerce college said.

The violent clash between Kuki and Meitei communities has displaced many, largely members of the Kuki community. Amidst the chaos and uncertainty, a significant number of students embarked on tumultuous journeys, filled with violence and ambiguity, eventually finding solace in relief camps. These students had to navigate hostile routes, often risking their lives along the way.

The arduous journey to find shelter in different states proved to be a harrowing experience, characterised by constant threats of violence in their journey. They then had to deal with the long waiting processes for registration into the relief camps.

“I was hiding with another family inside the Deputy Commissioner's office storeroom. We could hear people outside of the room, but we could not leave because we did not know who was out there,” Benedict Suantak, a medical student from Imphal currently staying in Shillong recalled.

During the period of violence in Manipur, students found themselves trapped inside their hostels and campuses, with limited facilities and uncertain circumstances. Clashes had even erupted within university campuses, exacerbating the already tense environment.

The idea of a safe space became increasingly ambiguous as students feared that the violence outside would infiltrate their colleges, putting their community at risk. Consequently, the confines of their educational institutions meant to be a safe space and shelter, became a source of apprehension and fear.

The students had to navigate thin lines constantly, treading with caution, as they were caught between the violence outside and the possibility of being singled out within their own college community. A student recounted receiving calls from his parents urging him to leave the university for safety’s sake.

The internet ban in Manipur, further complicated matters as it became challenging to obtain updates on the well-being of their families. With minimal communication options, and limited access to resources, the students were often left to fend for themselves.

Despite the immense challenges and dangers they faced, their determination to seek safety and protection prevailed, leading them to relief camps where they could find temporary respite from the turmoil.

Parents and family are often understood to be the first responders to provide comfort and reassurance to their distressed children. However, during this crisis, the students found themselves cut off from their loved ones, unable to reach out and seek solace in their presence.

The absence of communication compounded their anxieties, leaving them to rely on each other for support and reassurance. “We try to console one another, holding onto the belief that our parents would be safe and that we would eventually be reunited. But the situation and the things we are hearing make it difficult to hold onto such hopes. To be close to our family is our only wish,” a student currently seeking refuge in Shillong said.

Benedict Suantak, recalled a phone conversation with his mother when he had an overwhelming desire to convey his love to her. He feared that he might not make it to Shillong, highlighting the deep sense of uncertainty and apprehension he faced like many others.

Even within the relief camps, where one might expect a sense of solidarity, the precariousness of the situation made it challenging to foster a strong sense of unity. The gravity of the crisis left everyone at a loss for words and hindered their ability to function normally.

While individuals within the community were doing their best to support one another, the aid and resources available fell short of meeting the basic needs of those affected in relief camps. Long lines for food, unsanitary sleeping areas, lack of water, and communication services were some of the hardships faced by students.

Students have also expressed deep concerns about the impact of violence on their educational pursuits. The interruption of their studies due to the ongoing violence and the mass departure of a significant number of people, particularly from the Kuki community, has created an atmosphere of uncertainty for their prospects. Their primary worry revolves around the feasibility of continuing their education in the places they have sought refuge.

When asked about their willingness to return to Manipur if requested by universities, there was a resounding refusal. While their desire to continue their education remains strong, the students find it impossible to consider going back to Manipur due to the persistent fear of being targeted and killed.

They highlighted the deep-rooted cultural differences and the intense emotional wounds that exist, making it challenging for them to coexist peacefully with the Meitei community any longer. “Expecting us to live together is not possible. We cannot have peace after what has happened. Instead, we would like our own administration and colleges,” Benedict Suantak, added. He thinks the violence was a systemic marginalisation of the community.

The historical backdrop of violence and trauma has deeply scarred the relations between the two communities. This has now made the prospect of sharing the same spaces and living harmoniously seem unattainable.

The Kuki students in Shillong have acknowledged the support they have received from the government regarding relief camps and other forms of aid. However, recent reports have shed light on instances where village heads or chiefs have denied housing to refugees from Shillong, citing Kuki-Meitei clashes within the state as a basis for their decision.

This denial further isolates the refugees, as they are burdened by stereotypes that label them as troublesome, marginalising them within Manipur and exacerbating their marginalisation in other states where they seek solace.

Many of these students have come together to express how they now navigate their daily lives with great caution. There is palpable tension between the two communities within Shillong, but they make conscious efforts to avoid confrontations. Unspoken conversations and silent understandings are common strategies employed to mitigate potential conflicts.

“I feel really helpless staying out here in Shillong when I can do so much at home,” Asei Hoakip, a recent graduate from Saint Edmund's college in Shillong said. The students tread carefully, opting to stay home as much as possible, while seeking ways to support their families who are still in crisis.

Tragically, many students have shared heartbreaking stories of losing entire families, or their primary breadwinners, which has significant implications for their ability to continue their education. The loss of crucial family members has placed an immense financial burden on them, making it increasingly difficult to pursue their studies fully.

“Ever since the violence broke out, my parents, who worked and earned to provide for our basic daily needs, find it close to impossible to keep doing what they've been doing. My mother who is in her 60's had to sell vegetables so that we are able to move on. As for now my father who was a contractor is helpless and could not earn a penny,” Hoakip said.

The students' accounts reveal the profound personal and emotional toll that the violence in Manipur has exacted upon them. The profound grief experienced by individuals affected by the violence in Manipur has resulted in lasting trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The memory of witnessing the loss of their loved ones remains vivid, haunting their thoughts and permeating their daily lives. The weight of these events makes it incredibly challenging for people to regain a sense of normalcy and carry on with their lives.

“Everyday I wake up with nightmares that I am caught in that violence again, walking down the burning streets, trying to find my parents. I am waking up crying after all this every night” the student refugee who chose to be anonymous, added.

The psychological effects of violence continue to manifest in various ways, impacting the students' ability to pursue their education as expected. The trauma they have endured may manifest as difficulties concentrating, emotional instability, anxiety, or flashbacks, all of which can significantly impede their learning and overall well-being.

The students affected by the violence in Manipur have expressed a series of demands aimed at addressing the obstacles they face and supporting their educational pursuits and healing process. They have called for states to admit refugees into their universities, allowing them to continue their education despite displacement.

Additionally, they have emphasised the need for psychiatrists and counselling services to help them overcome the psychological trauma they have endured. They are also demanding the removal of internet bans, as access to information about their families and the situation back home is crucial for their well-being.

Iso, the recent graduate, said that, “First step would be to resume the internet services. Give the people their freedom back. Secondly, prioritise the student and their academic prowess.” The students have also called for a separate administration dedicated to the Kuki community, aiming to bring justice to the violence they have experienced.

By raising these demands, the students seek essential support and interventions to negotiate their challenges, restore their educational paths, address their mental health needs, and foster healing and justice in the aftermath of the violence they have endured.

These observations highlight the complex dynamics at play in Shillong, where these students find themselves caught between their own experiences of displacement and the existing tensions between communities. The students' wariness reflects the ongoing challenges they face in trying to rebuild their lives while negotiating the social and cultural complexities of their new environment.

The shattered sense of security, the ongoing anxiety for their families, and the disruption of their educational aspirations have left them in a state of immense hardship and uncertainty. Providing adequate support and resources to these students, both academically and emotionally, will be crucial in helping them navigate these immense challenges and rebuild their lives in the face of such devastating loss.

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