Imphal: In villages near the western foothills of Imphal, young people have spent nearly three years taking turns standing on the edge of the settlement at night with sticks and torches after their elders decided not to be vigilant. In the village of Kuki, night patrols began almost immediately after the clashes broke out on May 3, 2023. In the Naga-majority village, night patrols were intensified after tensions erupted this week.Vishant Agarwala reported that some of the youths were taken to the Assam Rifles’ new Kaisermanbi post after completing guard duty that morning. They are football players. From Monday to Thursday, 13 teams (8 Naga, 3 Meitei and 2 Kuki) from nearby villages gathered on the rugged, dusty football pitch of the garrison to participate in the Assam Rifles Foothills Football Championship organized under Operation Sadbhavana.Kesselmanbhi lies at the juncture of the Imphal valley and the surrounding mountains, where the geography has hardened into buffer zones and guarded borders. The teams are named after nearby villages. But even a distance of 4 kilometers means more than it suggests. Kuki teams – including Haibung FC, who reached Thursday’s final – traveled across the buffer zone on Assam Rifles buses with guards for the first time since May 2023.Football often reflects deeper fissures within societies already under pressure. The 1990 clash between Dinamo Zagreb and Red Star Belgrade symbolized the breakup of Yugoslavia. The so-called “football war” between El Salvador and Honduras in 1969 has gone down in history as an example of how one match could ignite a region already primed for conflict. In these cases, football does not invent dissatisfaction but amplifies it.At Kesselmannby, football was called to restraint. Organizers are cautious about the competition. Senior Assam Rifles officials addressed the teams before kick-off and clarified the terms: the game will be played in a sportsmanlike spirit; any attempt to harm the opponent will result in an immediate red card; extremely serious violations will result in the disqualification of the entire team. “Referencing is always controversial, so we used soldiers from outside the northeast,” an officer told TOI. Security personnel lined the perimeter. A Hindi voice in the commentary box explains the play and returns with a call when the tackle turns serious: “Khel ki Sadbhavana banaye rakhein. Referee ke nirnay ka paalan karein.” Keeping the spirit of the game alive. The referee’s decision is final.The first semi-final on Wednesday at 8am features two 100% qualified teams: New Keithelmanbi Team B and KTYWA Keinou. The second one has a heavier background. Khlong Naga Youth Club played against Hai Bang FC. A few days ago, violent clashes broke out between Kukis and Nagas in Litan, Ukhrul district, about 100 kilometers away. Although the village of Khlong Long suffered no direct damage, anxiety spread quickly. Naga youths also started patrolling at night. The family was hesitant before allowing the group to travel. “People are worried,” one Red Dragon player said. “But if we stop seeing each other altogether, that’s not good for the future.”On the court, there was no spillover happening. Haibon dominated in a largely one-sided contest. At the end of the game, the handshakes were steady and effortless. It fulfilled the last few predictions – the first Kuki-Mingting football match since May 3, 2023.Haibon’s story explains why reaching the final means more than sport. The average age of this team is 19 years old. Instead of focusing on training, many act as night sentries. “For our own safety,” one said. “That doesn’t mean we want to fight another community.” “We couldn’t sleep well in those days.” Another player whispered. “But it’s our responsibility.” They were dismissed during the game.Haibung coach Ngamgoulen (30) returned from Delhi on April 28, 2023, where he had been preparing for the Manipur Civil Services Examination. Within weeks, his village was attacked five times. His cousin Nelson Cookey’s house burned down. Movement is restricted. Reaching the nearest airport requires crossing a buffer zone. With routes to Imphal Airport blocked, residents can only travel via Aizawl or Dimapur. It is known that Gogo did not leave his village. “As the village chief’s brother, it is my duty to serve my people.” His belongings remain in Delhi.Haibung defender Seiminthang Haokip (20) is now living in a relief camp after his village was burned down twice and is still waiting for the next stage of his Territorial Army application. In July 2023, defender Thangkhopao Singsit (21) was preparing for a CDS inspection when his village was attacked, leaving three villagers dead and one missing.Goalkeeper Chongouman Kipgen (21) runs a private school with his father, employing teachers from Meitei, Kuki, Naga and smaller tribes, and is opening another school before conflict makes coexistence impossible. After most qualified teachers left the state, midfielder Thangminsei Kipgen (19) taught at the only functioning community-run school in the area, run by the Kuki Student Organization.When the final started, the stands were packed. The villagers were led into military vehicles under armed escort and joined elders and locals. Senior officers of the Assam Rifles were also present.The first half of the game was very intense. The new Kathmanbe took control of the situation. At halftime, the Meitetsu team led 3-0. Haibon regrouped at half-time and scored two goals shortly after play resumed. Midway through the second half, a tackle sparked protests and brief shoving before Assam Rifles personnel intervened. The commentator’s reminder – “khel ki Sadbhavana banaye rakhein” – is back. At the end of the game, New Keithelmanbi won 5-2. A total of five yellow cards were shown in the entire game.When the final whistle blew, the players lined up and shook hands without hesitation. Communication is brief and routine. “We were just having fun,” one of them said afterwards. Security personnel remained until the group dispersed. Emperor Ming returned to the valley. Haibon FC boarded an Assam Rifles bus and were escorted across the buffer zone under armed escort to villages where night patrols would resume.
