Hamid was not a "taxi driver" before the Manipur violence. He works at the Common Service Centre (CSC), doing computer work. But now he cannot say "No" to passengers who request to travel to Kuki-Zo areas from Imphal and back.

A Pangal (Manipur Muslim) from Thoubal district, his brother, who runs a taxi service, was overburdened ever since life came to a standstill due to the crisis.

"Suddenly there was a huge demand for transport," said Hamid. Since then, he has been driving and transporting passengers, particularly NGO workers, journalists, government employees, etc.

"I cannot say no; I feel it is my responsibility," said Hamid. "Transport between the districts is a need and necessity due to the situation." Even today, after two years of crisis, Hamid continues to drive between different districts across the state.

The violent conflict between the Meiteis and Kuki-Zos led to a divide physically as well as geographically, creating boundaries and borders. This has caused connectivity cut off between the areas inhabited by the two warring communities.

It is impossible for either one to access the other's territory. The Meiteis cannot travel to the Kuki-Zo districts, while it is impossible for Kuki-Zos to go down to the valley areas, especially the capital Imphal.

In this extremely sensitive and hardship-filled situation, the Pangals became the "go-between" for the Meitei-inhabited valley and the Kuki-Zo hill areas. They played a crucial role in saving lives, providing shelter and emergency relief, all the while keeping the local economy alive.

Pangal traders crisscross district borders transporting essential commodities. For instance, Pangal women vendors would defy all risks and travel from Kwakta or Moirang in Bishnupur district to Churachandpur (Lamka) and return in the evening. Local products and seasonal delicacies, along with the items from Pangal women, keep the bazaar alive in Lamka town and the district at large.

These activities are not without dangers and threats. Hamid did face some heart-racing events. He recalled, "Once I drove a journalist amidst firings and attacks." He said, "It was at the peak of the violence. I was taking the journalist to cover the Sugnu-Serou area."

Once, while returning alone after dropping a passenger in Churachandpur, there was an attempt to waylay him. "Volunteers helped sort it out," said Hamid. "People are familiar with me now. Also, I have acquaintances and friends," he said.

When the violence erupted on May 3, Meiteis from Churachandpur District fled to Kwakta in the neighbouring district of Bishnupur. Kwakta borders Churachandpur-Bishnupur and is predominantly Pangal-inhabited.

"Suddenly a large number of people came fleeing into Kwakta," said Nasir Khan, a teacher who runs a school. "Immediately we set up an emergency relief camp in the community hall right in the market," he recalled. About 300-400 people arrived on the first night.

"Some were crying; they were hungry," said Khan. "We provided them food and arranged mattresses for them to sleep on."

The next day, May 4, Nasir Khan and his team facilitated several Meiteis to be brought down to Kwakta.

"I spent the whole day calling almost a hundred mobile numbers," said Khan, "locating people and coordinating with security forces."

A day or two later, the Kwakta Govt High School was turned into a makeshift relief camp. "Initially we thought they would return soon, maybe in a week or two," Khan said. "But it did not happen." They were later shifted to Moirang due to security reasons, since Kwakta, which is a small upcoming town, has both Meitei and Kuki settlements in and around the vicinity.

The Pangal community in Kwakta also put in their effort to save abandoned homes and shops. "We managed to save quite a lot of houses and buildings, both belonging to Meiteis and Kukis," said Khan.

Even as the Pangals have free movement and are neither party to the two warring communities, they are at risk of being attacked.

"We faced threats and harassment," said Khan. "Our movement, our activities are doubted and constantly under the scanner." The small-time traders have to pay huge money as a "fee" for doing business. "They (Meiteis) would demand huge sums, alleging that we are doing business with/for the Kukis," Khan said.

Pangal traders and transporters are frisked, and their goods are destroyed frequently. It may be mentioned that at the peak of the crisis in August 2023, a Pangal autorickshaw driver was transporting goods and belongings of a Kuki family in Imphal. He was waylaid and his vehicle, along with the goods-comprising clothes and some household items-was destroyed and burned down. The Pangal driver was made to apologise and vow not to repeat it again.

As the crisis continued, the Pangals were being sandwiched between the two conflicting communities. On numerous occasions, Pangals had to frequently make public statements and clarifications.

It was in this dire situation that about a month into the Manipur crisis in 2023, the Meitei-Pangal Intellectual Forum (MPIF) was born. "Our activities and interventions in ongoing crises are solely on humanitarian grounds," asserted Nasir Khan, the founding and current president.

Such is the situation of the Pangals that a young Ahmed, who had been rescuing and saving several lives when the violence erupted in Imphal, did not want to disclose his full name. "Please keep it anonymous," he said. "I have friends and acquaintances on both sides," he said.

"We are being accused of taking sides," laments Ahmed. He and his friends were tirelessly coordinating with their Kuki-Zo friends in rescuing a large number of students and families in Imphal. "We sheltered them in Pangal colonies and homes," said Ahmed. "And later facilitated their transport to safer places."

Many youths were living in rented homes and hostels in Imphal. "The Meitei landlords were not in a position to protect and told us to take them," said Ahmed.

According to Safiur Rahaman Maibam, a young Pangal journalist, as the state descended into chaos and crisis, the Pangals were the first emergency responders. He said that Pangal student bodies and local clubs joined in the collective efforts for rescue and relief.

Maibam himself participated in rescuing and helping those stranded and needing emergency evacuation. "I took part in the relief efforts, helping with coordination, communication, and logistics arrangements," recalled Maibam.

The humanitarian work, courage, and help rendered by the Pangals in the Manipur crisis did not go unappreciated and surely not forgotten.

A displaced Kuki-Zo woman now living with her family outside Manipur remembers the help extended by her Pangal friends. "I keep communicating with Ahmed," recalls Kim Kipgen, "seeking help for evacuating and rescue."

"Ahmed and his friends were helping even though they are at great risk," Kim remembers and is extremely grateful for the help and support rendered to the community.

Incidentally, May 3 also marked the day when hundreds of Pangals died in a violent clash with the Meiteis in 1993. The violent riot between the Pangals and Meiteis occurred in Thoubal, about 13 km from state capital Imphal, and lasted about a week or so.

The day-May 3-is observed as 'Shahide Memorial Day' or 'Black Day'. As the years progressed, it took the form of a Prayer Day. The incident still lingers in the collective memory of the Pangals in Manipur.

With Anganwadi workers at centre, Dibrugarh gets ready for flood season