A STATE CRYING OUT FOR PEACE: THOUSANDS TURN POTS, DRUMS AND HORNS INTO A PROTEST AGAINST MANIPUR’S PROLONGED CRISIS

October 23, 2026

Thousands of people in Manipur have staged a noisy public demonstration, beating utensils, drums and other objects and blowing horns to protest the failure to restore peace in the violence-hit state. The unusual form of protest brought the continuing crisis back into focus, with demonstrators using sound to express their frustration over the prolonged insecurity and the absence of a lasting resolution.

The protesters used everyday household utensils alongside drums and horns to make their voices heard. The demonstration reflected growing impatience among sections of the population over the continuing difficulties faced by communities affected by the conflict and the perceived inability of the authorities to bring normalcy back to the state.

Manipur has been gripped by ethnic violence since May 2023, when clashes between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities erupted, leading to deaths, displacement and extensive damage to homes and property. The conflict has deeply affected social relations, disrupted livelihoods and left many families struggling to return to their previous lives.

Repeated efforts by the authorities to improve the security situation have not entirely removed the fears and grievances surrounding the crisis. For people living in affected areas, the restoration of peace involves more than the absence of immediate clashes: it also requires security, the possibility of returning home, the rebuilding of damaged communities and confidence that violence will not recur.

The sound-based demonstration offered a visible expression of public dissatisfaction with the pace of progress. By turning utensils, drums and horns into instruments of protest, the participants sought to draw attention to their demand for effective action and a durable settlement rather than continued uncertainty.

The continuing unrest in Manipur presents a major challenge for the state and the Union government. A sustainable resolution requires efforts to address security concerns, rebuild trust between communities and create conditions in which displaced residents can live without fear.

The protest underscored the urgency of those demands. For the demonstrators, the noise was not merely a public spectacle but a means of drawing attention to a crisis that has continued to shape daily life in Manipur and to the need for a credible path towards lasting peace.