| Abstract: | This paper looks at the ongoing divide between the state and society in Manipur, India. It argues that social cohesion, fair political representation, and violent conflict are not just separate issues they’re tangled together. Manipur’s deep ethnic divisions, shaped by its history and tough political battles, make it hard for people to feel like they share a common identity or trust the state. Things only get worse when state institutions fail to deliver justice. The government loses its grip and gaps in leadership, while non-state actors’ step in to fill the gap. The paper uses ideas from securitisation and power-sharing theories to dig into how these problems. Real stability means going further building an inclusive government, actually sharing power, making institutions accountable, and letting communities lead the way on peace. |
