Smoke eventually disappears, but the scars it leaves behind often survive for generations. The violence that swept through Manipur was not merely a clash between two communities; it became a painful reminder of how fragile peace can be when historical grievances, political interests, and identity politics collide. Homes were reduced to ashes, families were torn apart, and places once filled with prayer and hope were transformed into ruins. Behind every burnt church and abandoned village lies a story of fear, displacement, and shattered dreams.

At the heart of the crisis is a long-standing ethnic dispute between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. Decades of disagreement over land rights, political representation, and constitutional protections gradually deepened mistrust between the valley........

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