To say that North East India has been a blindspot for much of the mainstream media would be generous. The region – despite its seven states, despite its strategic importance, and despite a sociocultural complexity that should beget an unlimited supply of stories – is rarely covered by media platforms based in Delhi and Mumbai. Except when there's violence and even then not always – as we are witnessing in Manipur.

There, a wave of violence driven by ethnic tensions between the dominant Meitei community and the tribal Kukis has left at least 65 people dead and thousands displaced. Yet, it has barely registered in the mainstream media beyond perfunctory reports on the death toll and sundry statements of politicians. 

Scroll, however, in keeping with our commitment to covering underreported stories, is on the ground to make sense of what happened – and why. And how the violence and its aftermath affected the common man.

Our reporter Robikuz Zaman has already filed a series of dispatches from Manipur – and more are coming. 

In Imphal, two families recount two days of horror that ended in death

At least 13 people have died in Manipur’s capital.

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What the mobs left behind in Manipur’s hills – burnt homes, looted shops and thousands of displaced

Residents of the areas that saw the first spell of violence say trouble began with a rumour of an Anglo-Kuki war centenary gate being burnt down

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Toll due to violence in Manipur rises to 65

Chief Minister N Biren Singh said that a high-level inquiry will be conducted to fix responsibility for the violence.

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Arunabh Saikia is tracking the situation as well.

Manipur violence: BJP MLA assaulted by mob in Imphal, critical

A Naga legislator from the hills said that Vungzagin Valte is likely to be airlifted to Delhi for treatment.

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Last month, weeks before the violence erupted, Rokibuz had pointed out that Manipur was sitting on a tinderbox. 

Why Manipur’s tribes are alarmed by court push for Scheduled Tribe status for the Meitei community

Tribal groups say it will allow the dominant group to take over their land resources. Experts fear the move will only increase rancour between communities.

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In Manipur, the Kukis are up in arms against the ‘majoritarian’ BJP government

A series of protests, followed by CM N Biren Singh’s decision to pull out of a ceasefire arrangement, has cracked open old fault lines in the state.

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