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Reportage from the peripheries of South Asia

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"148 Days and Counting" from FRONTIER DISPATCHES on Vimeo.

"148 Days and Counting" - The Days just keep adding up. Little can be said or written about the apathy of those in power as nine dead young men, grow old, waiting for an honourable burial in Churachandpur, Manipur, India. A thought that still seems a far cry, literally. The state government seems deaf to the demands of the tribals, the Central Government chooses to look away. The families of the dead wait still.

A short video dispatch from Delhi, as the tribal communities, got together once more. This time, on the eve of India's 67th Republic Day in India's National Capital, questioning the very basis of the Constitution that governs them. Shot and edited by the ever so talented Richard Khuptong for frontierdispatches.in/

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"We Will Remember" from FRONTIER DISPATCHES on Vimeo.

Richard Khuptong 's music and telling lyrics for the song he wrote, arranged, sang and edited over my photographs from Churachandpur, Manipur and the parallel movement headed by the Hill-folk of the state in Delhi, the National Capital of India for Frontier Dispatches. The song titled, "We Will Remember", is befitting of the dark skies that have befallen this frontier region on the periphery of India.

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coffin_rally_mtfd_delhi_india from FRONTIER DISPATCHES on Vimeo.

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As the last remains of nine people remain unburied in far-flung Churachandpur in Manipur, protesters observe a minute of silence at a relay rally organised by the "Manipur Tribals' Forum Delhi" at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. Families of the dead in what can easily be described as a hugely controversial incident, have now waited in protest for a resolution for 96 days, waiting to bury the bodies, that appears exceedingly difficult. On just two days — August 31 and September 1 — nine people died in police firing and violence during mass protests against three new state bills. The largest district in Manipur, CCpur as it's commonly known, lies only 65km south of the capital, Imphal, which had recently witnessed a two-month-long agitation for an Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in the state. (The ILP is currently operational in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram.) Just as those protests died down, Manipur was on the boil again with the passage of three land bills that the hill tribes are opposed to, on the grounds that they play into the hands of the Meiteis, the dominant inhabitants of the #Imphal valley that makes up 10 percent of the landmass of the state. One of the most controversial clauses relates to the right to property ownership. The state assembly has set 1951 as the base year to identify non-indigenous people, who are regarded as outsiders by a section of Manipuris. The law decrees that those who settled in Manipur after 1951 will have to give up property and may even have to leave the state. Image Copyright © Vivek Singh

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Protesters raise their hands up in unison demanding that three new land bills passed by the Manipur Legislative assembly be repealed, at the indefinite rally organised by the "Manipur Tribals' Forum Delhi" at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, India. On just two days — August 31 and September 1 — nine people died in police firing and violence during mass protests against three new state bills. The largest district in Manipur, CCpur as it's commonly known, lies only 65km south of the capital, Imphal, which had recently witnessed a two-month-long agitation for an Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in the state. (The ILP is currently operational in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram.) Just as those protests died down, Manipur was on the boil again with the passage of three land bills that the hill tribes are opposed to, on the grounds that they play into the hands of the Meiteis, the dominant inhabitants of the #Imphal valley that makes up 10 percent of the landmass of the state. One of the most controversial clauses relates to the right to property ownership. The state assembly has set 1951 as the base year to identify non-indigenous people, who are regarded as outsiders by a section of Manipuris. The law decrees that those who settled in Manipur after 1951 will have to give up property and may even have to leave the state. The tribal communities in Churachandpur, were incensed that the laws would make them foreigners in their own land and they rallied against the government in large numbers. In the widespread violence that ensued, the houses of some of their elected representatives were burnt down. The police action led to nine deaths, followed by a curfew that paralysed normal life in this volatile region. The coffins of the nine dead are still in the District Hospital. Families wait for a resolution, which appears exceedingly and now three months after the incident, disturbingly difficult. Image Copyright © Vivek Singh #ManipurBurning #TribalUnrest #womenprotesters #TribalRights #landbills

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A placard warning of consequences related to the passage of three land bills by the Manipur Legislative assembly at the indefinite rally organised by the "Manipur Tribals' Forum Delhi" at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, India. On just two days — August 31 and September 1 — nine people died in police firing and violence during mass protests against three new state bills. The largest district in Manipur, CCpur as it's commonly known, lies only 65km south of the capital, Imphal, which had recently witnessed a two-month-long agitation for an Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in the state. (The ILP is currently operational in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram.) Just as those protests died down, Manipur was on the boil again with the passage of three land bills that the hill tribes are opposed to, on the grounds that they play into the hands of the Meiteis, the dominant inhabitants of the #Imphal valley that makes up 10 percent of the landmass of the state. One of the most controversial clauses relates to the right to property ownership. The state assembly has set 1951 as the base year to identify non-indigenous people, who are regarded as outsiders by a section of Manipuris. The law decrees that those who settled in Manipur after 1951 will have to give up property and may even have to leave the state. The tribal communities in Churachandpur, were incensed that the laws would make them foreigners in their own land and they rallied against the government in large numbers. In the widespread violence that ensued, the houses of some of their elected representatives were burnt down. The police action led to nine deaths, followed by a curfew that paralysed normal life in this volatile region. The coffins of the nine dead are still in the District Hospital. Families wait for a resolution, which appears exceedingly and now 86 days after the incident disturbingly difficult, before they are ready to bury their loved ones. Image Copyright © Vivek Singh #ManipurBurning #TribalUnrest #womenprotesters #TribalRights #landbills

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Frontier Dispatches vivek singh from FRONTIER DISPATCHES on Vimeo.

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Candles burn "in tribute", on a windy winter evening at a memorial setup in Delhi for the nine dead who lie in an ill-equipped hospital morgue in Churachandpur, Manipur for the 88th day now, during the relay protest organised by the "Manipur Tribals' Forum Delhi" at Jantar Mantar. On just two days — August 31 and September 1 — nine people died in police firing and violence during mass protests against three new state bills. The largest district in Manipur, CCpur as it's commonly known, lies only 65km south of the capital, Imphal, which had recently witnessed a two-month-long agitation for an Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in the state. (The ILP is currently operational in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram.) Just as those protests died down, Manipur was on the boil again with the passage of three land bills that the hill tribes are opposed to, on the grounds that they play into the hands of the Meiteis, the dominant inhabitants of the #Imphal valley that makes up 10 percent of the landmass of the state. One of the most controversial clauses relates to the right to property ownership. The state assembly has set 1951 as the base year to identify non-indigenous people, who are regarded as outsiders by a section of Manipuris. The law decrees that those who settled in Manipur after 1951 will have to give up property and may even have to leave the state. The tribal communities in Churachandpur, were incensed that the laws would make them foreigners in their own land and they rallied against the government in large numbers. In the widespread violence that ensued, the houses of some of their elected representatives were burnt down. The police action led to nine deaths, followed by a curfew that paralysed normal life in this volatile region. The coffins of the nine dead are still in the District Hospital. Families wait for a resolution, which appears exceedingly and now 88days after the incident disturbingly difficult, before they are ready to bury their loved ones. Image Copyright © Vivek Singh #ManipurBurning #TribalUnrest #womenprotesters #TribalRights #landbills

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A memorial for the nine dead who lie in an ill-equipped hospital morgue at the relay protest organised by the "Manipur Tribals' Forum Delhi" at Jantar Mantar. On just two days — August 31 and September 1 — nine people died in police firing and violence during mass protests against three new state bills. The largest district in Manipur, CCpur as it's commonly known, lies only 65km south of the capital, Imphal, which had recently witnessed a two-month-long agitation for an Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in the state. (The ILP is currently operational in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram.) Just as those protests died down, Manipur was on the boil again with the passage of three land bills that the hill tribes are opposed to, on the grounds that they play into the hands of the Meiteis, the dominant inhabitants of the #Imphal valley that makes up 10 percent of the landmass of the state. One of the most controversial clauses relates to the right to property ownership. The state assembly has set 1951 as the base year to identify non-indigenous people, who are regarded as outsiders by a section of Manipuris. The law decrees that those who settled in Manipur after 1951 will have to give up property and may even have to leave the state. The tribal communities in Churachandpur, were incensed that the laws would make them foreigners in their own land and they rallied against the government in large numbers. In the widespread violence that ensued, the houses of some of their elected representatives were burnt down. The police action led to nine deaths, followed by a curfew that paralysed normal life in this volatile region. The coffins of the nine dead are still in the District Hospital. Families wait for a resolution, which appears exceedingly and now 87 days after the incident disturbingly difficult, before they are ready to bury their loved ones. Image Copyright © Vivek Singh #ManipurBurning #TribalUnrest #womenprotesters #TribalRights #landbills

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A man in a hood stands in silent prayer at a relay protest organised by the "Manipur Tribals' Forum Delhi" at Jantar Mantar while a the government of Manipur maintains its deafening silence over three controversial land bills that have divided the valley and the hill folk in Manipur even further. On just two days — August 31 and September 1 — nine people died in police firing and violence during mass protests against three new state bills. The largest district in Manipur, CCpur as it's commonly known, lies only 65km south of the capital, Imphal, which had recently witnessed a two-month-long agitation for an Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in the state. (The ILP is currently operational in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram.) Just as those protests died down, Manipur was on the boil again with the passage of three land bills that the hill tribes are opposed to, on the grounds that they play into the hands of the Meiteis, the dominant inhabitants of the #Imphal valley that makes up 10 percent of the landmass of the state. One of the most controversial clauses relates to the right to property ownership. The state assembly has set 1951 as the base year to identify non-indigenous people, who are regarded as outsiders by a section of Manipuris. The law decrees that those who settled in Manipur after 1951 will have to give up property and may even have to leave the state. The tribal communities in Churachandpur, were incensed that the laws would make them foreigners in their own land and they rallied against the government in large numbers. In the widespread violence that ensued, the houses of some of their elected representatives were burnt down. The police action led to nine deaths, followed by a curfew that paralysed normal life in this volatile region. The coffins of the nine dead are still in the District Hospital. Families wait for a resolution, which appears exceedingly and now 86 days after the incident disturbingly difficult, before they are ready to bury their loved ones. Image Copyright © Vivek Singh #ManipurBurning #TribalUnrest #womenprotesters #TribalRights #landbills

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FRONTIER DISPATCHES: VIVEK SINGH at BANANA HOUSEPlot 433, Lane D-22 | 100 Feet Road, Chattarpur Hills | New Delhi - 110074 | November 14, 2015 | 6 PM Frontier dispatches is a series of reportages from the peripheral areas of India and beyond. India's northeast, connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of land called the chicken's neck shares more than ninety percent of its border with Bhutan, China, Myanmar and Bangladesh. The region is a fragmented jigsaw of indigenous people in one of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse parts of Asia. This first exhibition in what will be a series through this and the coming year, is a show about a unique protest in Churachandpur, Manipur, from the very fringes of the North-East.

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Niangdeihkim, only 14, dressed in black, poses for a portrait one dark night in Churachandpur. This is a unique protest led by the women of this town, far removed from the headlines in India and the world. They are demanding that three land bills, which they believe to be anti-tribal and unconstitutional, that were recently passed by the State Legislature in Manipur be repealed On August 31 and September 1 — nine people died in police firing and violence during mass protests against three new state bills in #Churachandpur, #Manipur, #India. Since then, the bodies of the dead have remained in an ill equipped District Hospital Morgue. Families wait for a resolution, which appears increasingly and disturbingly difficult, before they are ready to bury their loved ones. Massive protests have paralysed life this small nondescript town on India's North-Eastern periphery as demands to repeal anti-tribal land bills grows. The largest district in Manipur, CCpur lies only 65km south of the capital, Imphal and way out on the national map and consciousness. I worked on this series of portraits of women protesters while covering the situation in Churachandpur. This is an attempt to put a face to the brave women of a town far removed from our consciousness. To prevent further bloodshed, these women hit the streets almost six weeks back and have remained at the forefront of the agitation, keeping the peace in an extremely volatile situation. They are Mothers, Wives, Sisters, Daughters, often sacrificing everything. Daily wagers, teachers, students. Image Copyright © Vivek Singh #ManipurBurning #TribalUnrest #portrait #ReportageSpotlight #womenprotesters #TribalRights #landbills

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A placard after a #mass #protest in #Churachandpur, #Manipur, #India. On just two days — August 31 and September 1 — nine people died in police firing and violence during mass protests against three new state bills. The largest district in Manipur, CCpur as it's commonly known, lies only 65km south of the capital, Imphal, which had recently witnessed a two-month-long agitation for an Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in the state. (The ILP is currently operational in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram.) Just as those protests died down, Manipur was on the boil again with the passage of three land bills that the hill tribes are opposed to, on the grounds that they play into the hands of the Meiteis, the dominant inhabitants of the #Imphal valley that makes up 10 percent of the landmass of the state. One of the most controversial clauses relates to the right to property ownership. The state assembly has set 1951 as the base year to identify non-indigenous people, who are regarded as outsiders by a section of Manipuris. The law decrees that those who settled in Manipur after 1951 will have to give up property and may even have to leave the state. The tribal communities in Churachandpur, were incensed that the laws would make them foreigners in their own land and they rallied against the government in large numbers. In the widespread violence that ensued, the houses of some of their elected representatives were burnt down. The police action led to nine deaths, followed by a curfew that paralysed normal life in this volatile region. The coffins of the nine dead are still in the District Hospital. Families wait for a resolution, which appears exceedingly and now 56 days after the incident disturbingly difficult, before they are ready to bury their loved ones. Image Copyright © Vivek Singh #ManipurBurning #TribalUnrest #ReportageSpotlight #womenprotesters #TribalRights #landbills

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Manghoiching, 28, dressed in black, poses for a portrait one dark night in Churachandpur. This is a unique protest led by the women of this town, far removed from the headlines in India and the world. They are demanding that three land bills, which they believe to be anti-tribal and unconstitutional, that were recently passed by the State Legislature in Manipur be repealed On August 31 and September 1 — nine people died in police firing and violence during mass protests against three new state bills in #Churachandpur, #Manipur, #India. Since then, the bodies of the dead have remained in an ill equipped District Hospital Morgue. Families wait for a resolution, which appears increasingly and disturbingly difficult, before they are ready to bury their loved ones. Massive protests have paralysed life this small nondescript town on India's North-Eastern periphery as demands to repeal anti-tribal land bills grows. The largest district in Manipur, CCpur lies only 65km south of the capital, Imphal and way out on the national map and consciousness. I worked on this series of portraits of women protesters while covering the situation in Churachandpur. This is an attempt to put a face to the brave women of a town far removed from our consciousness. To prevent further bloodshed, these women hit the streets almost six weeks back and have remained at the forefront of the agitation, keeping the peace in an extremely volatile situation. They are Mothers, Wives, Sisters, Daughters, often sacrificing everything. Daily wagers, teachers, students. Image Copyright © Vivek Singh #ManipurBurning #TribalUnrest #portrait #ReportageSpotlight #womenprotesters #TribalRights #landbills

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The Hiangtam Lamka EBCC Church towers over the town center as dark clouds gather in the night time sky over #Churachandpur, #Manipur, #India. On just two days — August 31 and September 1 — nine people died in police firing and violence during mass protests against three new state bills. The largest district in Manipur, CCpur as it's commonly known, lies only 65km south of the capital, Imphal, which had recently witnessed a two-month-long agitation for an Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in the state. (The ILP is currently operational in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram.) Just as those protests died down, Manipur was on the boil again with the passage of three land bills that the hill tribes are opposed to, on the grounds that they play into the hands of the Meiteis, the dominant inhabitants of the #Imphal valley that makes up 10 percent of the landmass of the state. One of the most controversial clauses relates to the right to property ownership. The state assembly has set 1951 as the base year to identify non-indigenous people, who are regarded as outsiders by a section of Manipuris. The law decrees that those who settled in Manipur after 1951 will have to give up property and may even have to leave the state. The tribal communities in Churachandpur, were incensed that the laws would make them foreigners in their own land and they rallied against the government in large numbers. In the widespread violence that ensued, the houses of some of their elected representatives were burnt down. The police action led to nine deaths, followed by a curfew that paralysed normal life in this volatile region. The coffins of the nine dead are still in the District Hospital. Families wait for a resolution, which appears exceedingly and now 52 days after the incident disturbingly difficult, before they are ready to bury their loved ones. Image Copyright © Vivek Singh #ManipurBurning #TribalUnrest #ReportageSpotlight #womenprotesters #TribalRights #landbills

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Empty shell casings of bullets used by the Police that killed nine protesters in #Churachandpur, #Manipur, #India. On just two days — August 31 and September 1 — nine people died in police firing during violent protests against three new state laws. The largest district in Manipur, CCpur as it's commonly known, lies only 65km south of the capital, Imphal, which had recently witnessed a two-month-long agitation for an Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in the state. (The ILP is currently operational in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram.) Just as those protests died down, Manipur was on the boil again with the passage of three land bills that the hill tribes are opposed to, on the grounds that they play into the hands of the Meiteis, the dominant Vaishnava Hindus. One of the most controversial clauses relates to the right to property ownership. The state assembly has set 1951 as the base year to identify non-indigenous people, who are regarded as outsiders by a section of Manipuris. The law decrees that those who settled in Manipur after 1951 will have to give up property and may even have to leave the state. The tribals were incensed that the laws would make them foreigners in their own land and they rallied against the government in large numbers. In the widespread arson that ensued the houses of some of their elected representatives were burnt down. The police action led to nine deaths, followed by a curfew that paralysed normal life in this volatile region. The coffins of the nine dead are still in the District Hospital, a two-minute walk from the DC residence. Families wait for a resolution, which appears increasingly difficult, before they are ready to bury their loved ones. Only the brave would venture inside this room, where two hurriedly installed air-conditioners work round-the clock at 14°C — 10 degrees higher than the ideal temperature. There is no freezer or any attempt to get one. Image Copyright © Vivek Singh #ManipurBurning #TribalUnrest #ReportageSpotlight #womenprotesters #TribalRights

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Ching Nuhoih(center) wept inconsolably, “I have one brother, now no brother” (sic), Kham SianMuan was shot when as part of a crowd they approached the police station in #Lamka, #Churachandpur, #Manipur, #India. Ching worked at a restaurant in Chennai, supporting her brother and her family, sending him money for his driving lessons, now she must sit in solidarity with a movement while she waits to lay her brother to rest. The dead protesters still lie in an ill equipped morgue waiting to be buried. “They shot him thrice, she points at the places he was shot, on her own body, tears constantly rolling down her cheeks”, “Why three bullets Ching asks. The largest district in Manipur, Ccpur, as it's commonly known, lies only 65km south of the capital, Imphal, which had recently witnessed a two-month-long agitation for an Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in the state. (The ILP is currently operational in #Arunachal Pradesh, #Nagaland and #Mizoram.) Just as those protests died down, Manipur was on the boil again with the passage of three land bills that the hill tribes are opposed to, on the grounds that they play into the hands of the Meiteis, the dominant Vaishnava Hindus. One of the most controversial clauses relates to the right to property ownership. The state assembly has set 1951 as the base year to identify #non-indigenous people, who are regarded as #outsiders by a section of Manipuris. The law decrees that those who settled in Manipur after 1951 will have to give up property and may even have to leave the state. Nine people were killed in police firing across Churachandpur, during two days of continued protests, violence and Police firing on August 31 and September 1, 2015, which involved the burning down of houses of their representatives in the state assembly, who they believe are hand in glove with the Government in the state. Image Copyright © Vivek Singh #ManipurBurning #TribalUnrest #ReportageSpotlight #womenprotesters #TribalRights