It is easier to argue or allege that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not share the roadmap to peace. Actually, it is next to impossible to presume that any national leader can offer a quick-fix Solution and Peace in a state like Manipur.
In 2001, Meiteis had fought with the Nagas and in the 1990s, Kukis had fought against the Nagas. Since 2023 May, the circle was almost completed when Kukis and Meiteis clashed.
‘Us and They’ syndrome is common issue in the northeast in all the states.
Hence to hope a flying visit from Delhi will discover ways to ensure peace is only a figment of imagination.
Media is supposed to focus on what is fresh and new. But a sincere analysis on north east of India and especially a state like Manipur is not possible without reflecting on is recent past. In other words, what is important in a state which was in the headlines in 2023 is the human quotient.
The people’s identity and land are important issues.
At the height of the violence in Manipur, Home Minister Amit Shah had blamed the influx of “Kuki tribal people from Myanmar” as one of the reasons for problems in the state. On Aug 9th, 2023, he said in Lok Sabha that the incoming of Kukis had caused “insecurity among the Meiteis”.
Kukis and Zo ethnic people are Christians while majority of Meitei population in and outside Manipur state are Hindus.
Many have argued in the past that the Hindu-Christian elements also played their part for the ethnic clashes between Kukis and Meiteis. Even churches were burned down.
In the northeast, over 87 percent of people in Nagaland and Mizoram are Christians. Manipur has an estimated over 41 percent and Arunachal Pradesh has around 30 percent Christians. In May 2023 when the violence started in Manipur, Chief Minister in office was a Meitei Hindu - N Biren Singh.
He is said to have proposed fencing the border with Myanmar. The move was endorsed by Home Minister Shah and predictably it provoked protest and angry remarks from Nagaland and Mizoram.
The BJP’s ally Mizo National Front (MNF) paid a price in state assembly polls in November 2023 largely owing to ethnic clashes in Manipur which left Kukis in agony. The Kukis and Mizos share ethnic bonds and hence the people’s anguish in election was predictable.
Notably, PM Narendra Modi did not campaign in the 2023 Mizoram state polls and also in both Manipur and Mizoram during 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The ethnic bond between Kukis or Zo people with Mizos is so strong that the BJP election strategists had advised Modi to avoid campaigning in the 2023 assembly polls in Mizoram.
In fact, since May 2023 when violence had engulfed Manipur – the Prime Minister had avoided visit to the state. He went only on Sept 13, 2025 and met relief camp inmates, inaugurated projects and addressed two rallies (one in Kuki-stronghold Churachandpur and the other in Imphal (a Meitei bastion and the capital of Manipur).
Congress veteran and former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh has stated that there was nothing significant about the Prime Minister brief visit.
Modiji “failed” to address the people's aspirations for restoring peace in the state, he said. Ibobi told a press conference that the Prime Minister didn't say anything concrete and meaningful to resolve the protracted crisis.
What they can ‘best’ do is only announce Development and try to use this as a Peace offensive tool. This development phenomenon has suffered so much in the state - which prior to May 2023 clashes - was making spectacular progress on multiple fronts.
Emerging as an 'island of peace' for some time, Manipur under the BJP’s double-engine government had experienced a lot of positive developments including pumping in of investments.
In August 2022, Manipur hosted the prestigious and Asia's oldest Durand Cup soccer tournament. Nandini Gupta from Rajasthan was crowned the Femina Miss India 2023 title at the starry grand finale held in Manipur.
But all that has been lost and derailed.
Things remain – where they were: Ethnic Fissures also remain
It’s a fact that - hopes pinned on PM Modi for any magic formula to Peace was shattered. Former Chief Minister Ibobi said the Prime Minister didn't bring any roadmap to resettle the Meitei and Kuki internally displaced people (IDPs) who have been languishing in relief camps for the past 28 months. A large number of Kukis have taken shelter in Mizoram.
Worse, one old demand and a highly controversial one was reignited once again.
The Kuki MLAs including from the BJP demanded the division of Manipur and creation of a new Union Territory.
An educationist in Imphal said – “Meiteis will not agree for division of their state. Prime Minister did not bring any drastic formula.... actually he does not have one.
So, I agree the most crucial take away from the visit was PM’s direct appeal to all the organisations to take the path of Peace”.
He further said – “The challenges are – as always – very complex. The fissures between Kukis and Meiteis remain where they were”.
In fact within days of Prime Minister’s visit; suspected Meitei militants attacked one Assam Rifles convoy on Sept 19 while they were returning from flood relief works.
Two Assam Rifles soldiers Rifleman Ranjeet Singh Kashyap (from Bastar, Chhattisgarh) and Nb Sub (GD) Shyam Gurung from Meghalaya made supreme sacrifices.
Four others were injured. The essential tool for central forces to function in the north east, the 'Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act or AFSPA' does not apply to Nambol, where the ambush happened on Sept 19. The area falls under Bishnupur district and is not far from state capital Imphal.
According to analysts, this was not just an attack on a unit—it was trying to give a message that some people in valley were not happy with the PM’s visit and a supposed importance he gave to Kukis.
This ambush on the Assam Rifles convey was an affront to the spirit of service, compassion and unity that Assam Rifles embodies.
But thankfully, the society by and large and the people of rest of Manipur rose to the occasion.
Next day, there was a state wide protest against the attack on Assam Rifles. Worse, the ambush had left even a Meitei soldier injured.
A retired agriculture engineer later said – “For the people of Imphal, people of Manipur and the rest of India -- it is time to stand together — not just in grief, but in resolve. Let the sacrifices of Assam Rifles soldiers ignite a movement for justice, unity, and enduring peace”.
Again, these are simply early days.
Issues of Nagas:
The Nagas in Manipur have their own tales of grievances. The much talked about Naga peace talk are in a virtual stage of limbo and no one knows what is stored for ending the Naga insurgency. A recent report from security apparatus suggested that a potent Naga militant group may rekindle the old days of violence of the 1990s.
When it comes to the NSCN-IM demand for the 'integrity' of Naga contiguous areas, there is mutual distrust between Nagas and Meities. There were some inherent conflicts also. While the NSCN-IM always stood for Greater Nagaland; former CM Rishang Keishing, a Tangkhul Naga, was all along part of resolution of the Manipur assembly that 'not an inch' of Manipur state’s geography could be compromised.
A related row may come up yet again as there are indications that NSCN-IM leader Thuingaleng Muivah may visit his native village Somdal in Manipur in October. In 2010, such a visit proposal by Muivah was violently opposed by the Meiteis with the argument that once he visits the place; the NSCN-IM could link it to their pet ‘Greater Nagalim’ demand. It is also high time, people concerned appreciate what the officers and soldiers of Assam Rifles and Army have done over the months after the ethnic clashes between Kukis and Meiteis had started.
International Border management
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs in January 2024 decided to scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar to ensure the "internal security of the country and to maintain the demographic structure" of India’s North Eastern States bordering Myanmar. This was opposed by Nagas and Mizos vehemently.
One analogy is while the Modi government's mantra has been “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (one world, one family); maybe on ground, New Delhi is perhaps “dividing families” at the borders using security as the argument to
justify the removal of the Free Movement Regime (FMR).
“The security argument that the government has used to justify the removal of FMR stands in contradiction to the diplomatic and strategic outreach with the neighbouring countries and, more importantly, it violates the indigenous rights of the border communities. We strongly oppose the security-centric approach to border management,” a letter from indigenous leaders said in Feb 2024.
Wrap up:
At present Manipur is under President’s Rule and to know what is at the end of the tunnel – all stakeholders should have three qualities – Patience, Hard work – performance and the Right sense of judgement.
Observers caution that the Prime Minister’s statements and eloquently stated viewpoints may end up as only rhetoric if right balance is not struck.
The Kukis and Meiteis are unable to trust each other. Kukis say they were discriminated by Meitei-led administration while the Meiteis feel they have serious grievances which are being ignored by the centre.
On the day Prime Minister visited; some students staged a noisy potest. "The Prime Minister did not visit Manipur when people here needed him the most. While he ignored the State for more than 2 years, the people here suffered,” said a student leader during the protest demonstration.
Finally we may say -- Manipur needs a good leadership who understands the plight of the people. But along with being a half-saint; the administration has to be ruthless with the wrongdoers.
The rule of law must return.
ends
No comments:
Post a Comment