Manipur’s Escalating Crisis: Calls for Central Intervention Grow Amid Ethnic Turmoil

MOHAN KHOUND

The unrelenting ethnic violence in Manipur has again brought a tragic and dire reminder of the deep-rooted tensions that persist between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities.

On November 11, 2024, ten armed militants were killed in an encounter involving the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and local police forces in Jiribam district. The fatalities followed retaliatory fire by security personnel after an attack on their post and on civilians, including displaced people, in the area.

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Women, children, and the elderly have been especially vulnerable to this prolonged unrest, which has, since May 2023, claimed more than 250 lives and displaced around 60,000 individuals.

According to official reports, the encounter revealed stark security challenges. Among the ten weapons recovered at the site, two were reportedly looted from police stocks, further highlighting the alarming governance issues plaguing the state.

Tragically, the violence continued unabated, with reports of three women and three children, including an infant, allegedly abducted, and two elderly people burned to death in the same district. The victims were previously displaced from their homes in June, reflecting the harrowing cycle of displacement and persecution affecting the local population.

Meanwhile, the Kuki Students’ Organisation has condemned the CRPF’s presence, issuing a call for ‘non-cooperation’ and claiming that those killed were patrolling militia, not aggressors. In response, the central government has intensified its security response, deploying 20 additional Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) companies in an attempt to stabilize the situation.

This latest deployment raises the total number of CAPF personnel in Manipur to around 22,000. With these reinforcements, the Ministry of Home Affairs plans to secure volatile areas such as Kangpokpi, Chuarchandpur, and Jiribam, hoping to quell the unrest while maintaining a buffer zone between valley and hill districts.

However, Central measures thus far appear insufficient to mend the longstanding ethnic rift. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led state government, under Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, has struggled to contain the violence, with his leadership criticized by Kuki communities as divisive and partisan. Given these sentiments, the responsibility of managing the crisis has largely shifted to the central government.

Despite a recent attempt by the Ministry of Home Affairs to bring Kuki and Meitei representatives together, the talks fell short of making meaningful strides toward peace.

In a twist that underscores the fragile social fabric in the northeast, Manipur’s Kuki representatives have begun demanding Union Territory status with legislative powers—an appeal that involves the division of the state.

Such a move, if entertained, could set a precedent fraught with implications for India’s highly diverse northeastern states, where ethnic and regional identities are woven into a complex tapestry. Recognizing the potential benefits of central intervention, some Kuki groups remain cautiously optimistic that Delhi will take concrete steps to mediate a resolution.

Yet recent developments in Manipur reveal the persistent volatility. Over 48 hours have passed since the abduction of the six Meitei civilians, while in Imphal, protests erupted over their disappearance, with demonstrators calling for justice. Even more disturbingly, a truck was set ablaze on National Highway 37 in Tamenglong district, reportedly by Kuki extremists, according to the Rongmei Naga Students’ Organisation, which declared a boycott of supplies to the Kuki-Zo communities in two Naga-majority districts in response.

In an especially tragic incident on November 7, a 31-year-old tribal woman was burned alive in Jiribam. Forensic reports documented third-degree burns covering nearly her entire body, making it impossible to establish rape allegations due to the severe nature of her injuries.

As a result, the Manipur Police have registered cases under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), along with various sections under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) addressing mob violence, property destruction, and forced entry.

As the human toll mounts, the growing distrust between the communities and state authorities calls for decisive intervention from New Delhi. While the deployment of additional forces can offer a temporary deterrence, sustainable peace demands a political settlement respectful of both Meitei and Kuki-Zo aspirations. Such a resolution would necessitate meaningful dialogue, federal support, and mechanisms that safeguard the coexistence of these communities within a united Manipur.

While the road to reconciliation remains fraught with challenges, the Center’s commitment to seeking an enduring solution could potentially pave the way for peace and stability in Manipur—a necessity not only for the state but for the integrity of India’s entire northeastern region.

13-11-2024

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