## Summary of The Hindu Article: “A year after Operation Sindoor, two schools stand testimony to the cost of conflict”
The article details the lingering impact of “Operation Sindoor,” a military operation conducted in the Churachandpur district of Manipur in May 2023, aimed at controlling ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities. A year later, two schools – the Anglo-Kuki Government Higher Secondary School and the Eklavya Model Residential School – remain physically scarred and largely unused, symbolizing the deep-seated trauma and displacement caused by the conflict.
Operation Sindoor involved the Indian Army establishing a security perimeter around these schools, initially intended as shelters for displaced Kuki people. However, the schools suffered significant damage during the fighting and subsequent occupation. The Anglo-Kuki school, a historic institution, sustained bullet marks and damage to its infrastructure. The Eklavya school, built with central government funding to improve educational access for tribal students, was also heavily impacted.
Currently, both schools are in disrepair. The Anglo-Kuki school remains closed, with efforts to repair it stalled due to ongoing tensions and lack of funds. The Eklavya school has partially reopened for classes 11 and 12, but faces challenges including a severely reduced student body and a climate of fear. Many Kuki students and teachers have either fled the area or are hesitant to return.
The article highlights the broader consequences of the conflict on education in the region. Numerous schools were used as shelters, disrupting academic schedules and damaging infrastructure. The displacement of communities has led to a significant drop in school enrollment, particularly among Kuki students.
Beyond the physical damage, the article emphasizes the psychological impact on students and teachers. The trauma of witnessing violence and displacement has created a sense of insecurity and fear, hindering the return to normalcy. The future of education in Churachandpur remains uncertain, dependent on restoring peace, rebuilding trust, and addressing the needs of the affected communities. The schools stand as stark reminders of the human cost of the conflict and the long road to recovery.
