Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Manipur: A Glimpse of Unity Amidst Strife

Participating in the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Manipur, Ayesha Khatun, a social activist from Bengal, expressed her amazement at seeing many members of the Kuki-Zo and Meitei groups marching together and seeking peace in the conflict-ridden Northeast state.

The greatest lessons from the march, she told this publication upon her return from Manipur, are the scenes of harmony between the groups, who have been embroiled in a terrible struggle since May 3 of last year.

"I went there to see if there was still a great divide in the community or if peace was something they wanted." Seeing some members of both tribes in the Nyay Yatra express their desire for peace in the lovely state brought me great joy, Ayesha said.

"I spoke with a number of rally attendees, particularly women, and they stated that they came because they wanted peace," she continued.

The 66-day Nyay Yatra will conclude in Mumbai on January 14 after traveling 6,713 miles across 15 states. It began on January 14 in Manipur.

According to Rahul, the Nyay Yatra was planned because Indians were now experiencing severe social, economic, and political injustice.

Ayesha, who is from Mohammadbazar in the Birbhum district and is in her early 50s, made the decision to go to Manipur to see the situation firsthand after learning about the dispute between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei populations via the media. Since May 3 of last year, there have been approximately 67,000 displaced people in Manipur and at least 202 fatalities due to violence.

Ayesha flew early on Sunday to Imphal, the capital of Manipur, just hours before the Rahul-led march began with much fanfare.

Ayesha, who completed the Manipur leg of the Yatra by traveling more than 100 miles on January 14 and 15, said that participants in the rally had no desire in reliving the terrible events of the previous eight months of conflict.

"A young person from the area assisted me in identifying members of two Yatra groups. The majority of those who were prepared to talk to me stated they wanted peace throughout the state, in the hills and in the valley, the activist added. She has worked in rural Bengal and Jharkhand, promoting women's rights and empowerment. She said that since women in both groups were victims of violence, she made the decision to go to Manipur.

The Yatra started in the largely Meitei-populated Imphal Valley and traveled to a number of conflict-torn areas, including the Kuki-Zo-dominated Kangpokpi, where Rahul was greeted by members of many tribal clans, according to Ayesha.

She stated there was hope despite the darkness.

Yes, there were violent hints everywhere. I observed burned-out houses and sullen faces. However, a few ladies informed me that they want peace. She expressed her satisfaction that they realized how polarizing influences had harmed their lives during the last eight months.