Manipur’s Crisis: State Neglect, Vigilante Justice, and the Fight for Autonomy

Manipur, a state with a long history of unrest and systemic neglect, has once again found itself at the center of national and international attention due to a brutal incident of sexual violence. On January 10, 2025, a 28-year-old woman in Imphal was sexually assaulted by a man who entered her hotel room under false pretenses. This horrifying incident, however, was met not by institutional action but by vigilante justice. The Koireng faction of the United National Liberation Front (UNLF), a banned insurgent group, took matters into its own hands, shooting the alleged perpetrator after conducting its own investigation. This stark deviation from state-led justice highlights the ongoing failures of the Indian government in providing security and accountability, particularly in its northeastern peripheries, where insurgency and militarization have long dominated the political landscape.
The incident in Imphal is not an isolated one. Manipur has been in conflict since its annexation by India in 1949, driven by demands for self-determination and resentment over cultural and economic exploitation. The violence has been multifaceted, with women bearing the brunt of both state and insurgent violence. The region’s militarization, particularly under the draconian Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), has institutionalized a culture of impunity, wherein state forces often use sexual violence as a tool of repression, with little to no consequences.
Since March 2023, when ethnic violence erupted between Meiteis and Kukis, the situation in Manipur has only worsened. Reports of sexual violence against women by both state forces and militant groups surged during this time, with victims often left without recourse or justice. The number of unreported and unpunished cases is likely far higher than what is documented, as survivors face immense social stigma and fear retaliation from both the perpetrators and the authorities. Despite widespread condemnation of these acts, the Indian state has been largely mute, offering no meaningful response or accountability. The government’s inability to address the underlying causes of the unrest—such as demands for autonomy, grievances over land, and the militarization of the region—has further entrenched the sense of abandonment felt by the people of Manipur.
The recent rape case in Imphal mirrors the broader pattern of state apathy and the erosion of trust in the justice system. In this instance, the UNLF, despite its status as a banned insurgent group, took swift action against the alleged rapist, securing a confession and administering its own form of punishment. This vigilante response, while extrajudicial, resonated with many Manipuris, who feel that the state has failed them. The UNLF’s actions reflect the broader disillusionment with India’s promises of “peace and development” in the region, which have proven hollow in the face of persistent violence and human rights violations.
In such a climate, the UNLF and other insurgent groups have gained legitimacy among the local population by stepping into the void left by the state. Their actions, although controversial, are seen by many as a necessary response to the government’s failure to protect its citizens, particularly women. The UNLF’s role in addressing social issues, such as sexual violence, contrasts sharply with the Indian government’s record of inaction and indifference.
As the violence in Manipur continues to unfold, the demand for self-determination grows louder. The failure to provide justice for victims of sexual violence, particularly in the context of militarization and ethnic conflict, underscores the need for a radical change in how the region is governed. The demand for autonomy is not just about political independence—it calls for dignity, justice, and the right to live free from fear. Until the Indian state recognizes and addresses the deep-seated grievances of the people of Manipur, the cycle of violence, impunity, and state-sponsored neglect will only continue.