Gender, Violence, and Conflict in Manipur

Armed conflict and the present political impasse in Manipur are consequences of the contestation between the Indian state with its forces and the insurgency/non-state armed groups over the question of ethno-nationalism/self-determination. These have historical implications based on unresolved political questions emanating from the time of independence. The result being that there has been a growing dominance of militarization over civilian authorities, with simultaneous decline in democratic institutions and the freedom and rights of citizens. This paper tries to look at the increasing rate of violence, and how violence as a medium of communication/expression is being used, particularly against women, by the non-state actors/insurgents conveniently in the conflict ridden state of Manipur. The paper also looks at how the ongoing cycle of violence negatively affects women and men and results in gender-specific disadvantages, particularly for women who are not always recognized or addressed due to gender-blind understandings of conflict.