Gorkhali Village in Manipur Holds Diwali Celebrations Amid Conflict

Imphal: Diwali celebrations hit a sour note at the Kangpokpi district headquarters this week. Uncertainty continues to grip the region. Five kilometres away in the Gorkha-dominated village of Kalapahar, the community refused to let the tension win. Residents lit up their homes and gathered for song and dance.

The village spotlighted the Bhailo tradition. This involves singing folk songs while moving from house to house. Locals compared the festive practice to Christmas carolling. Men, women, and children filled the streets, dancing to a mix of Bollywood hits and Nepali-Gorkhali music.

These festivities broke the gloom of a three-year period marked by suppressed celebrations. Ethnic violence first fractured Manipur on May 3, 2023. Since then, major holidays at the district headquarters have remained quiet. A resident noted the spirit of the event: "The celebrations highlighted the community's efforts to sustain its cultural traditions despite the prolonged conflict."

The current climate stays fragile. Officials granted a seven-day window of relief by temporarily suspending an ongoing district shutdown. Residents used that gap to reclaim a sliver of normal life.