The ethnic clashes that broke out in Manipur in May 2023 have brought into \nfocus the complexity of identity politics in the state. What began as an \nopposition by tribals living in the Hills to the demand of the Valley-based \nMeiteis for Scheduled Tribe status turned out to be linked to the problem of \nillegal migrants, refugees from Myanmar, and to the proliferation of poppy \ncultivation and ‘narcoterrorism’. \nConflicts between ethnic groups are not new in Manipur. But the violence in \n2023 was shocking for the sheer viciousness on display. Any effort to find \nexplanations to this conflict only throws up more questions. \nWhy is there such immense anger in the people of the state? Is this a religious or \nan ethnic conflict? How do varying interpretations and perceptions of Manipur’s \nhistory affect the present? What role did extremist Meitei organizations and \nKuki-Zo militants play in the violence? Why were the police and paramilitary \nforces—of which huge numbers are deployed in Manipur—unable to bring the \nsituation under control? Are there any corporate interests behind this violence? \nWhy did it take several months for India’s national leadership to break their \nsilence on the issue? Will peace and normalcy be restored in Manipur? \nHuman rights lawyer Nandita Haksar has known Manipur for more than two \ndecades and has written extensively on various aspects of its history. In this \nurgent book, she explores with clarity and insight, and also courage, a complex \ngeopolitical problem, exposing the bankruptcy of identity politics in the state, \nnever losing sight of those that have suffered—and continue to suffer—the \nmost in this conflict.