Can new Manipur Guv Bhalla bell the cat ?

 Can new Manipur Guv Bhalla bell the cat ?

New Delhi

For long the double-engine ruled Manipur state has lived with the tag -- a case of failed governance.

Some of it is not without good reasons especially since May 2023.

Just on the eve of the new year circa 2025, the state was given a new Governor. Ajay Kumar Bhalla was union Home Secretary who worked closely with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Thus Bhalla's experience is an asset. The probability that he enjoys Shah's confidence should also matter a lot.

Thus Chief Minister N Biren Singh will have to keep his fingers crossed. The fact that even after 20 months there is no end to tension between Kukis and Meiteis do not bring any pride to the double-engine government. 

It was given out that Chief Minister Biren Singh will have to work more closely with the Raj Bhavan henceforth. 

 If the chief minister has/had any ulterior interests vis-a-vis governance and functioning of some parochial organisations he and his tesm could be surely uncomfortable under the new Governor. 

There is another typical line. Many also thought it would also  depend on how Chief  Minister Biren Singh can "leverage" the Governor's expertise to improve governance in the State. 

After taking charge and making few important visits even to internally displaced relief camps, the Governor flew back to Delhi on official duty.

The Govt of India also believes that the mess in Manipur cannot be handled by military prowess alone. The army and state police together can only attack the symptom of the malady; the real diagnosis and treatment can be done only through political process.

For last 20 months, there was no roadmap for that.

Now Governor Bhalla will face a grave challenge that the Kukis will not talk to the chief minister. And if Lok Sabha election was any indication, the Congress nominee could snatch the Inner Manipur seat from the Lotus party.

The BJP high command knows the importance of trying to get the state on to its track. 

 Thus, Bhalla's maiden visit to the national capital in the capacity of the Governor is crucial. The BJP Manipur leaders will also keep track of the developments. 

It goes without stating that the strong elements of 'Us' and 'Them' syndromes work quite strongly in this northeastern state. 

The withdrawal of AFSPA was a populist measure and the Biren Singh ministry wants to stick to their political commitment that the controversial law would be withdrawn. So despite constraints for the forces to discharge their duties, the AFSPA provisions are being deployed only in 13 police station areas. 

The Governor Bhalla is certainly expected to raise some of these issues in the higher hiearchy. 

There are a few techinal challenges too.

There is a lack of Kuki youth representation in the Tribal Youth Council Manipur. The TYCM has in fact upped the ante for holding early elections to the Autonomous District Councils. The polls to other grassroots institutions - Zila parishads. Municipalties and panchayats are pending for last four years. Governor Bhalla may have to take a call on these in good understanding with the centre. 

The Meitei-Kuki clash had reached its peak. Scores were left dead and hundreds had to flee home and the state. But as the battle between Kukis and Meiteis has been renewed from time to time in some pockets,  the Nagas and Meiteis stood together despite tribal-non tribal differences.

More than two decades back, in 2001 when the Naga peace ceasefire was 'extended' to parts of Naga inhabited areas of Manipur, the Imphal valley burnt for days.

A deep divide in Manipur police on ethnic lines became very evident in the ongoing conflict. Of course, sources maintain that this has made "the task of Army, Assam Rifles and other CAPF units even difficult".

Over 1350 automatic weapons have been looted from police during the unrest and these certainly do not augur well for the situation and a state administration. Nagas and Kukis are Christians and yet in this turmoil time, the Hindu Meitei-Christian Naga bond has thrived.

This actually talks about the complexity. This year's unprecedented violence and communal tension in Manipur are also causes of setbacks to the overall development journey of Manipur. 

And this 'distraction' from the developmental journey is also a setback for all the communities - Kukis, Nagas and other tribals in the state. None can draw a consolation that let only the other community alone suffer.

For the year 2025, the centre wants to give clear message -- Manipur ethnic conflicts should come to an end. A Governor always his task charted out. 

Ends