The situation in the Northeastern state of Manipur — not much discussed in the mainstream media now — has worsened, demanding urgent action. Since last May, when the two communities — Meiteis and Kuki-Zomis — clashed with each other resulting in the deaths of more than 200 people, the state has been waiting for a return to normalcy. As a result of the conflict, Meitei-dominated areas have become free from Kuki-Zomis while the areas dominated by Kuki-Zomis have become free from Meiteis. There has been a wide gap between the two communities resulting in polarisation.
Taking advantage of this polarisation, the militant groups belonging to both communities are gaining strength by trying to show themselves as the saviours of the interests of their respective communities. And this is a serious matter of concern for the state and also the country.
Moreh becoming the centre of terrorism
With India looking towards the east to connect with the Southeast Asian countries, Moreh, a town on the Indo-Myanmar border in the Tengnoupal district emerged as an important link for the country with the Southeast Asian region. As a result, Moreh’s importance rose, particularly within the state. This border town has a multi-ethnic population. However, this multi-ethnicity got a jolt after ethnic clashes broke out and as a result, Meiteis had to flee from the town, where the Kuki-Zomis form the majority. Before the conflict, Meiteis had a sizable presence there.
Now, the border town has become a centre of escalation as seen in the increasing attacks against the security forces by the Kuki-Zomi terrorists since last December. Last month, two state security forces belonging to the Meitei community were killed by the Kuki-Zomi terrorists. This attack was after the arrest of two Kuki-Zomis — Philip Khaikholal Khongsai, a retired Indian army soldier and Hemkholal Mate, the now suspended BJP’s treasurer of the Tengnoupal district — for the killing of state police officer Chingtham Anand Kumar, a Meitei, by the Kuki-Zomi terrorists in Moreh last year.
The attacks on the state police forces by Kuki-Zomi terrorists caused more anger in the valley as Meiteis interpreted these attacks as an attempt to prevent the displaced Meiteis from settling in the border town again. Their suspicions get strength from the repetitive statements of civil society members belonging to the Kuki-Zomi community, who instead of condemning the Kuki-Zomi terrorists, insist on no state security forces in the area. The Kuki-Zomis instead are demanding the deployment of only Assam Rifles, who again are accused by Meiteis of being biased towards the former community. The Kuki-Zomi terrorists have been targeting the common Meiteis too. Last month, four Meiteis were killed by the terrorists in the Bishnupur district.
Rise of the radical armed Meitei group in the valley
While the Kuki-Zomi terrorists gained strength in the Kuki-Zomi-dominated areas of the hills, the situation in the Meitei valley is also no different with Meitei terrorist outfits trying to gain their lost ground. Having realised this, the Centre and the Manipur government signed a treaty with a faction of the United National Liberation Front (UNLF), the oldest Meitei terrorist group, in order to send a message to the other terrorist groups of the state and the region that the government is ready to have a meaningful dialogue with them within the framework of the Indian constitution.
But the present situation in the valley shows that terrorism is a growing threat. Last month, when an angry mob tried to attack a police station with the intention to loot arms and ammunition in the Meitei-dominated Thoubal district, they were pushed by the security forces. However, some “armed men” among that mob fired gunshots injuring three BSF jawans. These armed men were very likely to be Meitei terrorists, who were taking advantage of the current turmoil and trying to emerge as the saviours of the Meitei community. In fact, there have been reports about Meitei terrorists, confined to the jungles of Myanmar, crossing the border and becoming active in the valley, taking advantage of the situation. There have been incidents of Meitei terrorists killing Kuki-Zomis.
Amid this, the summoning of the Meitei MLAs and MPs by the radical armed Meitei group Arambai Tenggol and subsequently, 37 Meitei MLAs and two Meitei MPs, including Union minister RK Ranjan Singh, taking oath in the meeting held last month on the diktats of the radical group at the Kangla Fort — the seat of the ancient Meitei kingdom — shows how the law and order has taken into a backseat and the state has slipped into anarchy. Although Chief Minister Biren Singh wasn’t in the meeting, his name later appeared as a signatory in the list of signatories. This once again strengthens the speculations that the radical group is supported by Biren himself. Another important leader who is accused of supporting the group is BJP’s Rajya Sabha MP, Leishamba Sanajaoba, a member of the former royal family of the state. Notably, he too was present in the meeting.
Bold and fresh initiatives needed from the Centre
With the rise of terrorists and armed radicals in the state, the Centre has to immediately step in to take measures to restore normalcy. One of the prominent steps that the Centre needs to take is to sack Chief Minister Biren Singh, who himself is a part of the problem and is disliked by the large population of the Kuki-Zomis. So, until and unless he remains the chief minister, the discontentment of the Kuki-Zomis will continue. His removal will signal the start of a fresh initiative from the Centre to the anguished Kuki-Zomis. Let’s not forget that the Centre-appointed security advisor Kuldeep Singh is the commander of the Unified Command, formed to coordinate the operations of the security forces in the state. So, already the state is partially under the Centre. For the time being, the president’s rule seems to be the best option in the state.
On the other hand, there are allegations that those Kuki-Zomi terrorist groups who are already in the suspension of operations (soO) act with the Centre, have violated the ground rules of the act — and this allegation has found support from Biren Singh too. Amit Shah had assured Singh to look into the matter. But with the increase in attacks by the Kuki-Zomi terrorists, there has been anger among the Meiteis and a growing distrust towards the Centre and its appointed security advisor — and it is this anger that is facilitating the growth and subsequent public support of radical Meitei armed group Arambai Tenggol. As a result, the Centre has to be tough so that the rules of soO are maintained properly. If necessary, it shouldn’t hesitate to even scrap it. This will send a tough message to the Kuki-Zomis that the Centre will not compromise on national security matters and also address the concerns of the Meiteis.
The Kuki-Zomi areas of the hills are completely disconnected from the valley, where the capital city Imphal lies. It is this isolation that is driving the Kuki-Zomis to demand a separate administration but this demand, which threatens the territorial integrity of the state, isn’t going to bring peace in the already strife-torn region.
Manipur needs both bold as well as fresh initiatives to bridge the existing gap between the Meiteis and Kuki-Zomis. After Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s crucial visit to the strife-torn Northeastern state last year, the Centre formed a 51-member peace committee comprising members from different political parties and ethnic communities, including Meiteis and Kuki-Zomis. Unfortunately, this committee failed to take off. Manipur needs a healing touch and for that, it needs an effective peace committee to bridge the existing gap between the two communities.
The author is a political commentator and tweets @SagarneelSinha. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18’s views.
Comments
0 comment