Manipur is on the boil again where ethnic tensions have resurfaced. After a short period of calm, Manipur is once again witnessing an increase in violence that threatens to go out of control. The latest wave of chaos began on November 7 with the gruesome killing of a woman from the Hmar community, who was set ablaze in her home in Zairawn village, Jiribam district. This news has reignited the ethnic tensions, simmering in the state for over 19 months.

From October 1 to November 18, almost 16 reported incidents of violence and disruption have left a series of killings, arson, and heavy exchanges of gunfire. The violence has been concentrated mainly in 

 and Meiti-dominated areas in the valley district, with Jiribam alone accounting for over 20 deaths between November 7 and November 18.

One of the deadliest days was November 11, when a militant group from the Hmar community launched an ambush near 

 outposts. The following gunfight left ten militants dead. Nearby all of the houses and shops were set ablaze, and in between the fire, two civilians lost their lives.

In another frightening incident, six people from a family- including three women and three children were abducted by the attackers. Their bodies were found days later in neighbouring 

 along with the body of an eighteen-month-old infant. Since the beginning of the conflict, the victims from the 

 community had been living in a relief shelter near 

Those districts dominated by the Naga tribes have managed to maintain calm and peace during the ongoing conflict. However, these recent incidents signal that violence is spreading to these areas as well.

Previously, in early November, the conflict flared when two trucks heading to 

 districts were set ablaze, reportedly by Kuki militants. This incident caused the calls and chants to boycott supplies to the Kukis in these districts.

On the 2nd of October, a violent clash between two villages in the Naga-dominated 

 district led to four people losing their lives and over 40 injuries, resulting in a mob looting the armory, and stealing weapons. Nevertheless, authorities later recovered about 80% of them in search operations.

Adding to the unrest, two Naga men returning after purchasing livestock were attacked and assaulted. They were also robbed of sixty thousand at gunpoint in Imphal on October 31, allegedly by cadres of 

. This occurrence led to widespread outrage, with Naga groups releasing an ultimatum to the government, forcing arrests.

The increasing outrage recently has also triggered protests and shutdowns. On November 9, Naga organisations imposed a 24-hour shutdown in Senapati district, stopping vehicle movement along the Imphal-Dimapur National Highway-2. The sudden shutdown was in response to reported harassment and extortion of civilians by armed groups.

National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah)

, a pre-eminent Naga group, has warned the central government. It threatened to withdraw from the 1997 ceasefire agreement unless its demands for a separate flag and constitution for the Naga community were met.

Government response to the rising tensions

In the aftermath of the deteriorating situation, the government has deployed an additional 5,000 central armed forces personnel. However, the unrest has now spread to the doorsteps of political leaders, with civilians arsoning the residences of ministers and MLAs.

Manipur, a state with a rich history of ethnic communities, is now struggling with deeply rooted atrocities that show no sign of fading. The current unrest reflects the delicacy of the situation which is in dire need of peace.

There needs to be an urgent and immediate reconciliation between people. Without resolving the root cause of the conflict, Manipur is vulnerable to destruction if things keep escalating toward destruction. The state is at severe risk, as the conflict is affecting and jeopardising the lives and livelihoods of people of entire communities.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of The Jamia Review or its members

Manipur Again in Turmoil

The recent uproar in Sambhal has caused alarming violence, stemming from a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid which claims that it was built on a demolished Hindu temple. This resulted in five deaths and widespread unrest among people. Many historical and legal claims are fueling the tensions and causing them to escalate towards a violent clash. The Hindu side cited historical claims, and the Muslim side referenced the 1991 Places of Worship Act, which highlights the deepening of communal ideologies.

, is currently at the center of a violent clash erupting from a centuries-old

dispute. On November 19, a court-ordered survey of the 16th-century 

 caused severe tensions, building up in deadly violence that left five people dead and many injured. As the tension continues to grow, the region has been followed up by a rigid lockdown, with prohibitory orders in immediate effect. This incident reflects the intricate scenarios between historical claims and religious sentiments in Sambhal which had already been simmering with communal sensitivities.

The controversy began when a petition was filed by a Supreme Court lawyer, 

. According to Jain, the temple was demolished in the year 1529 under the orders of the 

, and he then ordered the construction of the mosque. The lawyers have also given references from historical texts such as 

Additionally, an 1879 report by a British archaeologist 

Tours in the Central Doab and Gorakhpur 1874-1876,

 described the mosque’s pillars as similar to those of the old Hindu temples, disguised with plaster. Carlleyle’s discovery noted that the removal of plaster revealed architectural features to those of a typical Hindu temple. This report, alongside the inscriptions, gives out the idea that the mosque’s completion was in the year 1526 by 

, who was one of the courtiers of Babur, who used to bolster the Hindu side’s arguments.

 to take the authority over the disputed site to investigate the case and its claim to further procedure. In response, a local court then directed a survey of the mosque, appointing an

The very first round of the survey was conducted peacefully on November 19 and saw representatives from both the Hindu and Muslim sides cooperating. Nevertheless, when the Commission arrived for the second survey, on November 23, tensions flared up drastically. Over a hundred protesters gathered outside the mosque, opposing the survey and demanding its cancellation. Despite the efforts by the Chief 

 of the Shahi Jama Masjid to disperse the crowd, a large number of protesters refused to leave the site and remained stationed there.

The situation further escalated into a violent conflict between the crowd and police, which lasted for over three hours. According to the police officials, the protestors used country-made pistols, and gunshots were fired from the nearby houses. The conflict caused the deaths of five protestors, allegedly due to gunfire.

The violence also left many of the police officers injured, with one sustaining pellet wounds and another with a fractured leg. The stampede has since ramped up the area into turmoil, with the security forces enforcing a complete lockdown and the government deploying additional personnel to maintain orders.

From the Hindu side, the dispute is about reclaiming the site of historical and religious significance. Advocates like 

 argue that historical texts such as the 

and ASI records suggest that a temple once stood where the mosque now exists. They emphasise that the mosque’s architectural details point to its origin way back as a Hindu temple, allegedly repurposed during the Mughal period.

In contrast, the Muslim side strongly holds their claims, citing the legal laws such as the 

. The law maintains that all religious sites must remain as they were on August 15, 1947, when India gained independence, barring exceptions like the 

whois facing a case linked to the violence, stressed on the part that the Shahi Jama Masjid is a historical structure and warned against attempts to disturb communal harmony.

The Sambhal violence projects the delicacy of communal relations in Uttar Pradesh, a state that has witnessed similar disputes in the past. The timing of the violence is very significant, coming in the heightened tensions over other high-profile religious conflicts, such as the 

The appellants, Vishnu Shankar Jain and his father Hari Shankar Jain, both have been involved in multiple cases on the subject of the places of worship, which raises questions about the broader implications of such petitions. Critics argue that these disputes risk fuelling the communal discord and diverting attention from the stressed social and developmental issues.

In the aftermath of the conflict, the district administration has intensified security, deploying additional forces, and has also enforced prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Officials have also started their investigation, mainly those events that led to the increase in the chaos and clash, including the source of the firearms that were used during the protest.

The Advocate Commission’s report, expected by November 29, is likely to have an effect on the legal trajectory of the case. The findings of the investigation would either substantiate or refute the claims made by the Hindu side, which will mold the future of the violent dispute.

The Sambhal violence, is not just a legal battle, but is a reflection of our society and its never-ending issues that run so much deeper. The need to resolve these conflicts requires a balanced approach that will respect the historical narratives while also safeguarding the diverse landscape of the nation.

As the region awaits for the court’s decision, the need for reconciliation remains paramount. Both sides must strive to avoid further violence, recognising that the cost of unrest often falls on ordinary citizens. Sambhal’s rich history and variety of cultural heritage should also serve as a reminder of India’s legacy of coexistence of different communities, which must be preserved at all costs.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of The Jamia Review or its members.

Sambhal Violence: Mandir-Masjid Dispute Sparks Deadly Clashes

Every now and then, a whisper, a scream, or a post on the internet for an immediate ceasefire can be seen all over the world asking for the bare minimum from the topmost leaders, which they can allow without causing any casualties but refuse to act upon, and hence the death rates continue to increase severely day by day. The entire world and its trivial existence ceased where they shouldn’t be ceasing at all, failing to acknowledge the fact that day by day mankind is suffering from the toll of genocide. However, the 

 on December 12, 2023, together with many other national members, voted in order to demand an immediate ceasefire in war-torn 

. Resolutions that have been rejected many times earlier by the 

, and its council blocked the decision for a humanitarian pause in this one as well.

Nonetheless, the support of many nations has been higher than it was during Arab nations calling for a resolution for a 

 in October, where 120 were in favour, 14, and 45 abstained. The recent vote for a resolution involved a total of 193 nations, of which 153 voted in favour, with 10 against and 23 abstaining from taking any decisions to accommodate together to end the 

 The resolution that has been taken now urges the war states to abide by their moral imperative under international laws, compromising both sides of the situation by releasing hostages immediately without any collateral damage, demanding to withdraw all military forces and cease firing immediately, and getting humanitarian access forthwith. However, Israel’s armed military forces refuse any kind of backing down until they completely destroy Hamas. This decision was followed up by the surprise attack on Israel that was done on October 7, 2023, which resulted in 1200 casualties in total and over 240 being taken as hostages, according to Israel’s reporting.

In the beginning of the session, the assembly speaker, 

, gave a statement urging the torment enduring innocent civilians to be suspended promptly. 

“We have one singular priority—only one—to save lives; even war has rules, and we must not deviate from core principles and values,”

 he stated. Also, at the time of the result announcement, applause started at the United Nations as the General Assembly voted to back the Gaza ceasefire. In the call for an emergency meeting held by the United Nations Assembly on Tuesday, due to the vast voting for an immediate ceasefire, the Assembly passed the resolution, but how beneficial is it? What would it give to the people who have been losing everything for so long? And how it would turn the lives of those who have endured so much only to see this day where, after so much hustle and struggle, the call has been passed for a ceasefire finally, but the relief and peace aren’t there.

In spite of everything, the vote is non-binding, which means not having to be honoured or legally binding any nations to it; however, it indicates some level of support for a truce. The war has affected vast numbers; according to the 

, eighteen thousand Palestinians have been killed in these three months of anguish, 70% of them reportedly being children and women, and over 80% of the inhabitants—approximately 2.3 million—were thrown away from their homes. No resolution or any truce would be beneficial if the oppressor and its supportive states aren’t agreeing on the decisions taken by the UN Assembly. And again, it can be articulated that heads of nations sitting in an air-conditioned hall while chatting for a few hours about doing something that should have been done much earlier isn’t something to be glad about. The hearts of the people living the nightmare every single day will still bleed while the dictators do what they have mastery over: raising hopes, then lying, then deceiving, and then torturing innocent people.

UN General Assembly votes in bulk for Humanitarian Ceasefire in Gaza

We’re born free. All of us. Free. Some don’t believe it; some try to take it away. To hell with them.”

Sometimes, to understand better, a fictional world collides with the real world’s cruel realities. The similarities include the resemblance of oppression, occupation, and discrimination, where the lives of innocent people and children come at stake; the lives of them that are so casually being taken every day; and the occurrence of disruptions to daily life when mankind recognizes it not as a war but rather as a genocide. Over centuries, in a world marked by globalization, nations often find themselves in competition for vital resources. Differences in religious or ethnic identities can sometimes lead to conflicts, especially in regions where different groups coexist. “Attack on Titan” primarily explores themes related to survival, freedom, and the consequences of war within a fictional world where humanity is threatened by giant humanoid creatures called Titans. The 

, on the other hand, is a complex and real-world geopolitical issue involving disputes over territory, national identity, and other historical and political factors. 

’s worldwide most popular and successful Japanese manga series, 

, had a genre so unique that it made it rank highest among any other anime series of its time. The parallel narrative comes into existence when the term genocide emerges on the surface.

The people of Palestine, with their history scarred by displacement and yearning for self-determination, find echoes in the characters of ‘

,’ wrestling with the existential threat posed by the colossal titans. The yearning for freedom, the fight against oppression, and the unbeatable spirit of resilience resonate across these seemingly disparate realms. The haunting vision of loss and sacrifice haunts both narratives, emphasizing the human toll of war. From the miserable tales of families torn apart in the 

 to the heart-wrenching sacrifices made by the Survey Corps in ‘Attack on Titan,’ the exploration of grief, resilience, and the human cost serves as a stark reminder that, in war, no one remains unscathed. One way or another, the promises that political leaders keep in front collapse, as for them, business and earning profits through war and its cruelty concern more than the lives innocents no longer have. What really matters is the destruction war brings and displaying it all through fiction, as it is one of the best mediums to make the world familiar with the context related to war.

Discrimination based on creed, nationality, or any other factor, and the disputes that arise as a result of these factors, will continue to be the most prominent. The oppression in the fictional world of AOT took place, and the suppression in the real world took place; both of them had the same objective, which was to gain power in some form. In both scenarios, the world watches, while those who are enduring war traumas remain on their land, fighting back and not giving up or turning away from it all. Dedicating their hearts—”

”—to their lands and not surrendering to the oppressor, such similar instances of human rights abuses, oppression, or discrimination can lead to internal unrest that can be easily seen in both narratives. Again, why do we see resemblance between each other? Well, because they both represent the harsh, brutal realities of war and its barbarity.

Much like the colossal walls that shield humanity in ‘Attack on Titan,’ physical and metaphorical barriers define the Israel-Palestine situation. The towering walls of the anime series represent protection but also isolation, drawing parallels to the hurdles that shape the political perspectives of the Middle East. Exploring the impact of these walls, both visible and invisible, unlatches a window into the shared experiences of those trapped within the confines of conflict. Definitely, the gruesomeness of real life’s action is gigantic in contrast with fictional one’s, but still, fiction is inspired by reality, and together they are in a symbiotic relationship. Therefore, to discern one step ahead, one should compare things, even though they are two worlds apart.

Articles by Sana Faiz

Manipur Again in Turmoil

Sambhal Violence: Mandir-Masjid Dispute Sparks Deadly Clashes

UN General Assembly votes in bulk for Humanitarian Ceasefire in Gaza

Attack on Titan: Exploring Parallels with Palestine

Manipur Again in Turmoil

Sambhal Violence: Mandir-Masjid Dispute Sparks Deadly Clashes

UN General Assembly votes in bulk for Humanitarian Ceasefire in Gaza

Attack on Titan: Exploring Parallels with Palestine