In a harrowing resurgence of violence, a tribal woman was brutally killed, and over a dozen homes were torched in Manipur’s Jiribam district on the night of November 7, 2024. The attack, which targeted the Hmar tribal village of Zairawn, signals a chilling return to unrest that has shaken the state since May last year.

Armed extremists reportedly stormed Zairawn, capturing a Hmar woman before tragically ending her life. The assailants then set ablaze homes, leaving the tight-knit village reeling and homeless. The Hmar community, ethnically connected to the Kuki-Zo people, has been embroiled in violent clashes with the Meitei community—a conflict rooted in deep-seated social and political rifts that have fractured Manipur.

Heartbreak and Fear in Zairawn: A Community Under Siege

Survivors recount the night as one of horror and loss. “We tried to escape, but the fires spread too fast,” shared one resident, who lost his home and all his belongings in the attack. The villagers mourn the loss of one of their own, a woman remembered as a mother, a sister, and a friend. “They took everything from us,” he added, holding back tears. This brutality has left Zairawn not only in ashes but in trauma, reigniting fears of more violence to come.

Renewed Violence Amid Ongoing Struggles for Peace

The attack follows a temporary lull in violence but underscores the fragility of peace in Manipur. Since May 2023, when conflicts first erupted between tribal communities and non-tribal Meiteis, over a thousand families have been displaced, and tensions remain dangerously high. Analysts warn that these incidents highlight the urgent need for conflict resolution efforts that address both immediate security concerns and long-term communal relations.

Calls for Justice and Stability

Local leaders are now pressing the government to intensify security measures and investigate the attack thoroughly. The Hmar and Kuki communities, caught in a cycle of violence and displacement, are demanding a path to safety, justice, and reconciliation. “We need the truth, we need protection, and we need an end to this,” said a Hmar elder, urging authorities to act swiftly.

National and Global Eyes on Manipur’s Crisis

With the situation escalating, Manipur’s plight has drawn national attention and raised international concerns. Human rights organizations and activists are calling for a comprehensive inquiry into the ongoing violence, while local communities urge peaceful resolutions. As the state grapples with this latest tragedy, the hope is that justice will not be delayed and that solutions will emerge to restore peace and prevent further loss in Manipur’s deeply divided lands.