Context

• The India-Myanmar borderlands have long been a region of geopolitical significance, yet they remain critically under-researched, particularly concerning the ongoing humanitarian crises.
• The Manipur conflict, characterised by armed violence, displacement, and resource scarcity, has created severe humanitarian challenges.
• However, restricted access, security concerns, and a lack of comprehensive data collection have obscured the true extent of these crises.
• Therefore, it is important to critically examine the implications of these information gaps, the humanitarian challenges faced by displaced populations, and the urgent measures required to alleviate their suffering.

The Crisis of Data Deficiency and Displacement in the Manipur Conflict

• Fragmented and Incomplete Data Collection
  • The official estimates suggest that approximately 58,000 individuals have been displaced and are residing in relief camps across Manipur's Valley and Hill districts.
  • However, these numbers fail to account for several categories of displaced persons. Many individuals remain unregistered because they are living with relatives, staying in temporary shelters, or have relocated across multiple locations.
  • Furthermore, those who have fled the state due to conflict-related circumstances, seeking safety, employment, or education, are largely unrecorded.
  • This incomplete data collection creates a ‘zone of the unknown,’ where the full extent of displacement remains underestimated.
    • During the peak of the conflict, an estimated 12,000 people fled to Mizoram, while around 7,000 sought refuge in Nagaland, Assam, and Meghalaya.
    • Yet, due to fragmented and inconsistent data collection methods, these figures may not accurately reflect the true magnitude of displacement.
  • Many displaced individuals may not be officially documented by government agencies or humanitarian organisations, making it difficult to assess their immediate needs or provide adequate support.
• Physical Segregation and Breakdown of Information Channels
  • A significant factor contributing to the data deficiency is the physical separation of the Meitei and Kuki-Zomi communities, which has led to the collapse of shared information channels.
  • In times of conflict, when communities are divided along ethnic lines, obtaining accurate and unbiased data becomes a challenge.
  • The conflict has led to the forced segregation of populations, with Meitei and Kuki-Zomi individuals relocating to areas dominated by their respective ethnic groups.
  • This separation has resulted in a communication gap, as each group primarily relies on its own community networks for information.
  • Consequently, official reports may reflect only a partial reality, as they fail to incorporate the lived experiences of all affected groups.
  • Another overlooked category of displaced persons includes thousands of Manipuri youth who have left the state in search of better education and job opportunities.
  • Given the economic instability and ongoing violence, many young people have migrated to urban centres in other parts of India, seeking a more stable future.
  • Similarly, individuals with chronic health conditions have been forced to leave Manipur in search of medical care.
  • However, because these individuals are not residing in relief camps, their displacement is often not counted in official records.

Challenges in Tracking Humanitarian Needs

• The lack of comprehensive data has serious implications for humanitarian aid distribution and policy-making.
• Relief efforts are often based on official figures, meaning that unregistered displaced persons may be excluded from essential services such as food distribution, healthcare, and shelter assistance.
• The absence of systematic documentation also results in the underreporting of key humanitarian concerns, including mortality rates, malnutrition, and disease outbreaks in relief camps.
• Moreover, misinformation and disinformation further complicate an empirical understanding of the conflict.
• Without verified data, rumours and politically motivated narratives shape public perceptions, influencing both government responses and humanitarian interventions.
• The lack of transparency also means that resources may be allocated inefficiently, with certain regions receiving disproportionate attention while others remain neglected.

Some Other Aspects of Manipur Crisis

• Health and Humanitarian Concerns
  • One of the most alarming consequences of the conflict is the deterioration of healthcare accessibility.
  • In Kuki-Zomi-dominated hill districts, major tertiary healthcare centres in Imphal are no longer accessible, forcing residents to seek medical treatment via circuitous routes through Mizoram and Nagaland.
  • This has led to prolonged travel times for patients, resulting in preventable deaths and worsening health conditions.
  • Documented cases highlight the severity of this crisis. For instance, a 63-year-old displaced individual in Kangpokpi district died due to a lack of dialysis facilities, while a mother in Churachandpur lost her life from postpartum haemorrhage in a relief camp.
• Mental Health Issues
  • The psychological toll is equally severe, with studies showing that 65.8% of displaced individuals in Imphal East suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and many others experience moderate to severe anxiety.
  • The worsening mental health conditions have led to a rise in suicides among displaced individuals.
• The Humanitarian Crisis in Relief Camps
  • Despite the establishment of relief camps more than two years ago, basic necessities such as food, water, and shelter remain largely inadequate.
  • With over 22,000 children still living in camps, the lack of educational access has exacerbated long-term developmental challenges.
  • Additionally, deteriorating living conditions, including daily water shortages, poor sanitation, and food insecurity, have further intensified the humanitarian crisis.
  • Economic instability has compounded these challenges.
  • Conflict-induced inflation has increased the cost of essential goods, making it difficult for displaced populations to secure necessary supplies.
  • As donor fatigue sets in and resources dwindle, the sustainability of relief efforts remains a critical concern.

Recommendations for Humanitarian Intervention

• Increased External Humanitarian Support: Private and corporate social responsibility (CSR) entities should step in to provide aid, ensuring that vulnerable populations receive adequate resources.
• Improving Water Accessibility: With a significant portion of household incomes being spent on obtaining water from private sources, government and aid agencies must prioritize clean water distribution.
• Establishing Humanitarian Corridors: Emergency medical evacuation corridors should be set up to facilitate the safe transfer of critically ill patients from conflict-affected areas to hospitals.
• Restoring Supply Chains: Essential commodities, including food and medical supplies, must be transported between valley and hill districts through neutral communities to ease inflationary pressures and ensure equitable resource distribution.

Conclusion

• The Manipur conflict has resulted in an acute humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by data deficiencies, displacement, and healthcare inaccessibility.
• While violence may have subsided in some areas, forced displacement continues to threaten the livelihoods and well-being of thousands.
• Without immediate intervention, the situation will further deteriorate, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations, particularly children and the elderly.
• Addressing these challenges requires a concerted effort from government agencies, humanitarian organizations, and civil society to restore stability and provide relief to those most in need.