The Ministry of Education informed the Lok Sabha today that five students have dropped out of school in Manipur over the past year due to ongoing violence, while no teachers have resigned amid the turmoil. Union Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary provided this information in response to a written query from Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee.
According to the state government of Manipur, the violence has not led to any teacher resignations, but it has disrupted the education of several students. The Minister of State highlighted that since 2023, five students have left school due to the conflict, as reported in Edex Live.
Background of the Conflict
The ethnic violence between the Meitei community in the Imphal Valley and the Kuki-Zo communities in the surrounding hills has been ongoing since May 2023. The conflict began when the All Tribal Student Union Manipur organized a Tribal Solidarity March on May 3, 2023, to oppose the inclusion of Meiteis in the Scheduled Tribe list. This march triggered a counter-response from Meitei groups, leading to further retaliatory violence.
Government statistics indicate that by May 3, 2024, the violence had resulted in 221 deaths and the displacement of 60,000 individuals. Unofficial sources suggest even higher numbers. The unrest has particularly affected children, with over 14,000 displaced due to the violence. States such as Kerala, Delhi, and Karnataka have welcomed some of these children to continue their education.
The situation in Manipur remains tense, with ongoing efforts to restore peace and normalcy in the affected regions.
