Since May 3, 2023, Manipur has been mired in a violent conflict that has left its people in distress and disarray. Over 19 months have passed since the onset of the violence, yet the government’s response has been criticized as not only slow and ineffective but as inaction. The situation has raised questions about the accountability and efficiency of the Government in handling ethnic tensions and violence in India’s Northeast State of Manipur.
Meanwhile Union Home Minister Amit Shah has assured Manipur Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata while the latter met him on December 9 in the Union Home Minister’s room at Parliament House, New Delhi that peace will return to Manipur at the earliest, adding that the Central and State Governments have been doing everything possible to restore peace in the State and would continue their efforts in the future.
Moreover, Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren, while speaking at a programme to commemorate Nupi Lan on December 12, said, “The State and Central Governments have been putting all efforts to bring a permanent solution. However, bringing a solution would take time as the situation had become chronic and fragile.”
Unfortunately, the violent conflict between the Kuki-Zomi militants and Meiteis erupted over longstanding ethnic tensions primarily involving the Meitei community, which largely inhabits the Imphal Valley, and the Kuki-Zomi tribes, predominantly settled in the hill districts. The resultant clashes between communities escalated into a broader confrontation characterized by communal violence, arson, displacement, and loss of lives.
The Government of India’s approach in the aftermath of the violence has been marked by a mix of indifference and inadequate measures. Despite the immense suffering faced by the people of Manipur, including loss of lives, displacement of thousands, disruption of normal life, and the destruction of property, the response from Central and State authorities has been anything but adequate.
While the political machinations continue, the citizens of Manipur particularly the Meiteis bear the brunt of the chaos. The protracted violence has led to significant humanitarian consequences that require immediate attention.
While the Kurki-Zomi militants continue their assaults against the Meiteis, the Meiteis are said to have forced to arm themselves for self-defence as Central Security Forces appear unable or unwilling to halt the rampant violence.
Local law enforcement agencies, while initially deployed to quell the disturbances, struggled to regain control of the situation except in Imphal Valley. Critics and civil society leaders in the Imphal Valley argue that the Government’s failure to reinforce and support these agencies in the Kuki-Zomi dominated areas particularly Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Pherzawl and Moreh has contributed to the protracted violence. The frequent imposition of curfews and internet shutdowns were knee-jerk response that did not address the root causes of the violent conflict or provide long-term solutions.
Several Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), political observers and public intellectuals and some local representatives have raised concerns about the lack of political will of the Government to engage meaningfully with the issues at hand. The Government has also been criticised for prioritising political considerations over humanitarian needs. There has been a conspicuous absence of attempt to have dialogue with the stakeholders, failing to acknowledge the grievances of the affected communities or work toward reconciliation.
With at least 258 lives have been lost and more than 61,000 people rendered homeless, the humanitarian crisis has exacerbated further with inadequate response efforts. Relief measures have been insufficient, and displaced families continue to suffer without access to adequate basic necessities such as food, shelter, and healthcare. The Government has been reprimanded for its inadequate disaster-response mechanisms in addressing the fallout from the violence.
The situation in Manipur has drawn attention not only within India but also internationally. Human rights organizations have expressed their concerns regarding the ongoing violence, calling for the Government of India (GOI) to take immediate and concrete actions to restore peace and ensure the safety of all communities in the region. The lack of accountability has led to widespread condemnation, and further support for the affected populations remains critical.
While the violence in Manipur continues to plague its citizens, the Government must urgently recalibrate its approach to resolving the violent conflict. To address the long-term issues such as poppy plantation, drug smuggling, illegal immigrants, protection of forest and natural resources, illegal establishment of new villages etc. there needs to be a multifaceted strategy and multi-level approach under a holistic proper planning and policy.
The Government of India should immediately stop treating the situation primarily as a law and order problem. No doubt, the primary concern of the Government should be to stop violence by any means available to the State and Central Governments.
Therefore, the Government should tell the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United People’s Front (UPF), which have been under Suspension of Operation (SOO) agreement with GOI and GOM to immediately stop the Kuki-Zomi militants’ attack against the Meiteis.
Those Kuki-Zomi militants who are not under SOO must be dealt with a strong hand.
Infiltration of armed Kuki-Zomi militants from outside Manipur within and without India must be checked properly.
The Government of India should ensure the deployment of adequate and trained security personnel who can function impartially to protect civilians and prevent further violence.
The Government of India should immediately scrapped the buffer zones and deploy the Indian Army and Central paramilitary forces on the mountain ridges to check the Kuki-Zomi militants from attacking the Meiteis and the retaliations as well.
Those indulging in or inciting violence; those trying to give a religious colour or tribal and non-tribal binary to the conflict and have been responsible for vandalising temples or churches; those burning down and destroying houses; those bulldozing the villages to the ground; those involved in drug trafficking and poppy plantation should be booked irrespective of community or tribe. The law enforcement should not be confined to the Imphal Valley only.
Then, the Government should take up the steps setting a deadline to disarm the people, from both sides of the conflict, of the unlicensed and prohibited weapons they may have acquired from any source.
This should be quickly followed or even accompanied by an effort to address the grievances, find a middle ground, and take such political initiatives which can convince the people of the Government’s sincerity and inspire confidence to earn the trust of the people.
Genuine dialogue with local community leaders, activists, and representatives of all ethnic groups of Manipur is vital for crafting a strategy that addresses the unique grievances of each community.
The Government should initiate a transparent dialogue with all communities involved in the conflict. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) did make some efforts on these lines, but there was no proper and consistent follow-up. It shows the lack of commitment and determination of the Government to end the violence.
The Government should immediately stopped segregating Manipur Police into ethnic lines by transferring and posting personnel belonging to Meiteis from Kuki-Zomi dominated areas to other places, and personnel belonging to Kuki-Zomi tribes from other places to Kuki-Zomi dominated areas particularly Kangpokpi, Churachandpur and Pherzawl districts.
The State administration needs to be completely overhauled. If there are officers who are more concerned about saving their skin rather than dealing fearlessly with situations which may have formidable professional hazards, they will have to be replaced.
The Government of India should make it very clear to all the ethnic groups of Manipur, political class, opinion makers of India and to everyone that there would be no compromise on the integrity and unity of Manipur.
Enhanced support for local law enforcement, alongside community policing initiatives, can help restore peace and security.
Prioritising humanitarian efforts to support displaced individuals and families should be a critical focus, ensuring that immediate needs are met while planning for long-term rehabilitation.
The people of Manipur have so far shown resilience amidst extreme adversity, but they deserve more than just promises. Effective action is needed now to build a foundation for lasting peace and security in the region. As India grapples with its diverse ethnic tapestry, it must take heed of the lessons learned from Manipur’s turmoil to prevent further violence and suffering.
The Government of India must engage in drafting policies that address systemic issues leading to inter-community conflict. This includes land rights, political structures, political representation, and resource management to ensure equitable development for all communities.
It is imperative for policymakers to step beyond mere rhetoric and to undertake substantial efforts aimed at combating both the violence and its root causes. The time for decisive action is now; for the people of Manipur, waiting any longer could mean the loss of more lives and livelihoods, complete balkanisation of Manipur and turning Imphal Valley into India’s Gaza Strip.
Nevertheless, the Government needs to change with accountability its attitude to the violent conflict in Manipur and the approach to resolving the almost 20-months violent conflict.
Senior Editor: Imphal Review of Arts and Politics
