Imphal, Manipur's capital, came to a grinding halt on August 28, with a strike being called. Imphal's people are habituated to bandhs, and most of them are successful. But this was a bandh with a difference -- more than 20 social and political organisations, representing the largest communities, ethnic groups and political interests. Almost unheard of, in a badly divided society. Academics, politicians, students and civil society organisations united that day for one reason to demand that work on the proposed Tipaimukh Multipurpose Hydel Project be stopped, convinced the project would deepen the cracks in Manipur's already fissured society because it would benefit some groups at the cost of others. They formed a joint front called the Action Committee against Tipaimukh Project (actip) to oppose the project. It's not that Manipuris are not aware of the commitment the centre has to the project -- after all it has been in the pipeline for the best part of half a century. Despite that the widespread opposition to the dam shows no sign of abating, as the unprecedented unity of August 28 abundantly demonstrated. nitin sethi explores the complex social and political matrix that comprises Manipur and examines the impact the proposed dam in Tipaimukh will have on the ethnic mosaic of the state.