
Within the varicoloured walls of the Khuman Lampak Sports Complex in Imphal, a handful of pregnant women huddle together. Wearing the traditional phanek over their kurtas, they’re discussing the news of the day – attacks in the border district of Moreh, cross-firing in Bishnupur, and the larger disruptions that have taken their home state of Manipur by storm for nearly three months.
These women fled their homes after the riots started on May 3 and somehow found their way to this relief camp run exclusively for pregnant women in the youth hostel of the sports complex. It started operations on May 21 and is managed by members of the BJP’s Manipur wing.