Education in Manipur: Futures at risk as ethnic violence derails academic dreams of over 50,000 students

NEW DELHI: In the lush hills of Manipur, where educational institutions once thrived with diversity, classroom seats now sit empty. Since May 2023, what began as ethnic tensions between the Kuki and Meitei communities has escalated into a devastating conflict that has not only claimed hundreds of lives, but is silently crushing the educational aspirations of thousands of young people.

"I had to leave my research midway when the conflict started in 2023," said Mary*, a former research scholar at Manipur University’s department of Zoology who was studying wetlands. Today she teaches at a school in Kangpokpi district, her academic aspirations indefinitely suspended.

Her story is just one among thousands. According to officials from the Manipur University, “about 50,000 students from the Kuki-Zou community were enrolled in various educational institutions before the conflict erupted”. Nearly half have had to quit their educational plans.

While students from financially stable backgrounds have relocated to cities like Delhi, Kolkata, or Bengaluru, an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 students without such resources have been forced to abandon their academic dreams altogether, one of the officials said.

"Even though things seemed to return to normal within a week or two, life has never been the same for those impacted by the violence. For the majority, life goes on as though nothing happened, but for the affected, they’re languishing, with many having their careers cut short," said an official requesting anonymity.

Majority of the population in Kangpokpi district comprises Kukis and Nepali students of Indian origin.

The consequences go beyond lost education. "Many displaced youths have joined village defence groups, taking up arms instead of textbooks,” he added. "It’s heartbreaking to see young people who should be in classrooms now standing guard in bunkers."

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Disruption in education

The brunt of this crisis has fallen on the Kuki-Zou community, many of whom were forced to flee Imphal, the state capital which houses nearly 90-95% of the state’s central institutions — including medical colleges and universities. "For these students, returning to Imphal is not an option — it could mean risking their lives," the official said. "It’s worse than the horrors of partition, " the victims say. Crossing into certain areas could mean death, regardless of whether you’re a student, child, or elder."

In Manipur University alone, approximately 400 students have been directly affected, particularly those from districts like Kangpokpi, Churachandpur, and Tengnoupal. The official estimates that about 10 to 15 percent of Manipur University’s students have been affected by this crisis.

Imphal has become inaccessible for the Kuki-Zou community. “Imagine having the doors to almost every major educational opportunity closed to you, simply because of your identity,” the official added.

Students enrolled in general courses such as bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD programmes have suffered the most due to difficulties in transferring credits between universities. Students pursuing professional courses such as engineering, law, and medicine have found it somewhat easier to transfer, though not without challenges.

"Institutes offering centrally-regulated courses have been more willing to accommodate these students," the official noted. "Although the process wasn’t without its delays, at least it offered a clearer path forward for some."

Laishram*, a student union leader from Kangpokpi district, outlines the administrative hurdles that have further compounded the crisis. "It’s not just about careers and certificates anymore — students are mentally disturbed, and some are even traumatised."

Manipur University and Dhanamanjuri University (DM University) have both struggled to conduct examinations and release results. "Many students from the first to sixth semesters during 2023 have not received their results," Laishram said. While some commerce department results were released after court intervention, numerous others remain pending, leaving students in limbo.

"Now, some students are rewriting their exams two or three times," he said. "Students who should have graduated in 2023 or 2024 are still unable to complete their degrees."

Manipur: Temporary exam centre, ‘roadblocks’

To address some of these issues, Laishram and his team established a temporary examination office in Kangpokpi with assistance from the deputy controller. However, resources remain scarce. "We only received two rooms from the ADC office," he said, "Many results and documents are still pending, causing students to lose job opportunities."

Another critical issue is the lack of examination centres in Kangpokpi district. Students traveling for staff selection commission (SSC) exams face immense challenges, including poor road conditions and expensive travel. "They sometimes have to walk 10 to 20 kilometers because even four-wheelers can’t pass through certain routes," Laishram explains. Trips to centres in Nagaland or Shillong can take up to five days and cost between Rs 5,000 and 10,000.

Although there were initial steps to establish an SSC examination centre locally, the process has stagnated. "We hope the government speeds things up," Laishram said.

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Legal battles, limited relief

Seilenmang Haoki, an LLB graduate from Delhi University and a member of the Kuki Student Organisation in Delhi, highlights students’ legal struggles. "We filed petitions in the Supreme Court and Manipur High Court for students from NIT, dental colleges, nursing institutions, and law schools. The state government wasn’t responsive until the courts intervened," Haoki said.

However, the process has been slow. According to Sanbha Rumnong, an advocate from the Bar Council of India, nearly 300 displaced students have approached legal bodies for assistance. "But the litigation has been drawn out, and many students couldn’t wait for the court’s decision — they began dropping out."

While institutions like Assam University and North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) have offered some support, transferring credits remains difficult due to differing syllabi. Online classes have provided a temporary solution, but access issues persist. "Many displaced students lack laptops and face poor internet connectivity in rural areas," a teacher said.

Struggle for hope

The displacement has left teachers in limbo as well. Many educators, particularly from tribal communities, have lost their jobs. While permanent faculty members continue to receive their salaries, part-time and contractual teachers have been left without work. "They had worked for years without permanent employment — now, they’re left with nothing," the teacher added.

The violence has led to a complete separation between ethnic groups. "No one is safe," Laishram said. "Even babies and teenagers are at risk." Government employees from the Kuki community have been forced to flee their posts, and law enforcement has been rendered powerless due to ethnic divisions.

Laishram also acknowledged the support received from neighboring states like Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya and even regions across India. "They’ve been neutral and supportive, focusing on peace," he said. However, the internal conflict within Manipur remains deeply entrenched.

Despite these challenges, there’s still hope. Though a few students have managed to rebuild their academic paths in new cities, but for many left behind in rural areas, the future remains uncertain.

"We need the world to understand that, since May 2023, Manipur has never been the same," Laishram said. "Without significant intervention and support, this crisis risks wiping out the futures of an entire generation."