From the womb to nowhere

It has been over two months since violence rocked the state of Manipur, resulting in insurmountable losses of life and property. The human tragedy that has unfolded in the state has resulted in over a hundred deaths, numerous injuries, and more than 70,000 people displaced. Amongst the several thousand forced to flee their houses in search of a safe haven, are pregnant women who were in their advanced stages of pregnancy.   

Team NTT visited one such relief camp meant for displaced pregnant women and nursing mothers in Imphal. Nothing in the world can elicit the joy that motherhood allows, but these women had to face unimaginable hardships devoid of the basic amenities, to save themselves and the unborn lives growing inside them. With their houses being burnt to the ground, they had to traverse long distances before being rescued. “They are very traumatized, some did not even want to talk, some tried to adapt and go on with the flow. It truly is a mixture of emotions”, said Teressa, a Manipur Government official at the relief camp.

Victoria, 19, a first-time mother had many hopes and dreams centering on her unborn child. However, fate had other plans. Victoria’s house was burnt down; she escaped the chaos and gave birth to a baby boy in this relief camp on May 7. Separated from her family, she held her baby boy close, unsure of what the future holds for them. “I am very worried about my son, it is very difficult, that’s why I am worried for him”, said an apprehensive Victoria. She is occasionally visited by her husband, who is ecstatic about their newborn, however, unable to take them home owing to the uncertainty that looms over the family.

The youth hostel, now fashioned into a relief camp to accommodate the needs of these mothers, shelters many such women who share the common story of separation. These mothers have been separated from their families, from their land. All they want to do is return to the comfort of their homes and cherish the newfound joy of motherhood with their families by their side.

“This is the mistake of the Indian government. Why can they not save us? Why can’t they control the war?” questioned a visibly disturbed Promila Devi.  She gave birth to a baby girl in the relief camp after her house was burnt down, and she, displaced from her village. “I want to go to my village, to my home, especially during this time. I do not want to stay in a camp. No house, no home, how can we rest like this?” she said while wiping the tears streaming down her eyes.

No language can express power the power of motherhood, and while these women gear up to embrace the challenges that motherhood entails under the given circumstances, they cannot help but be wary about what the future holds for them and their infants. They long to return to their houses, back to their own villages. All of them ask the same question- Why couldn’t the situation be controlled? Why couldn’t the violence be contained?