Manipur’s troubles deeper than political fixes

Finally, the BJP and, through it, the Government of India have taken some decisive steps towards sorting out the mess in Manipur in the recent past. The government first posted a seasoned bureaucrat as the Governor of the state, then it asked Biren Singh, Chief Minister of Manipur, where the BJP was ruling, to step down and four days later, on February 13, it imposed President's rule in the state.

All these steps were taken quickly, in conjunction. But they had been long overdue. The BJP and, hence, the BJP government in the state had been hoping against hope that the matters would get sorted by the feeble steps that the government had taken since the start of the violence in the state on May 3, 2023.

The long strife continued almost unabated, with a few short periods of lull in between. It has led to very strained relations between the Meities and the Kukis. The problem got aggravated due to many other factors, too, which had serious implications from various corners.

Two factors were holding the BJP back from taking firm action: the fact that we are a democracy; and that the ruling party at the Centre was the same as that in the state. Putting such a state under President's rule would be an embarrassment for the party as it would mean a censure of its own functioning.

Additionally, the party could not find a successor CM who was acceptable to all.

However, the ruling party has now bit the bullet. It is better late than never.

Looking ahead, a lot of work is needed to be done. First, let us look at the genesis of the problem to help tackle it.

The military junta in Myanmar does not have full control over the entire territory of its country, especially in the areas bordering Manipur. Many groups in these areas are fighting their government and even have control over some parts.

Also, due to the violence, the international drug trade from the infamous Golden Triangle, primarily through Moreh town and the area of Manipur, was suffering as the areas under opium cultivation there had reduced or were not increasing. Many Kuki and related tribes had started crossing over to Manipur, mainly in the Churachandpur area, which is dominated by the Kukis, with the help of their local kith and kin. They started growing opium in Manipur. Locals also joined them in this lucrative cultivation.

When this came to the notice of the state government, action was taken to identify the illegal immigration. Locals, supported by powerful international drug lords loaded with tons of money, resisted this action.

They wanted to put the government on the back foot. To their good luck — and bad luck for the state — an order by the Manipur High Court on the request of Meiteis to be given the Scheduled Tribe status gave them a reason to create trouble by misinterpreting that order.

The order, dated March 27, 2023, stated that "the state shall consider the case of the petitioners for inclusion of the Meetei/Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe list, expeditiously…." It was only an order for consideration of the plea and not for giving the ST status to the Meiteis. But the Kukis deliberately misrepresented it, saying that the Meiteis had been given the ST status.

Though this paragraph was later deleted by the high court, the damage had been done. Both sides started taking out rallies, some violence also erupted and blockades and counter-blockades by the two communities came up. The Meiteis are from the valley side and the Kukis and other related tribes from the hills. The situation worsened. It turned so bad that people from the valley could not go to Churachandpur and vice versa.

The Kukis demanded a separate administration. They did not want the Meiteis to have the ST status as they felt it would affect their job quota and also enable the Meiteis to legitimately buy land in the hills. So, a kind of full-scale civil war between the two communities erupted, with violence leading to loss of lives and displacement of people from both sides.

It is alleged that drug lords, with their deep pockets, have played an important role in fuelling this situation. Soon, the government and its machinery were overwhelmed by the violence.

Unfortunately, such a division between the two communities also spread to the government, including the police, to some extent. It made the situation worse. Criminals and dormant insurgent groups also jumped into the fray, and the result was a total breakdown of the government machinery. Police stations and armouries, too, were attacked and more than 5,000 weapons looted. There are also allegations that many weapons were handed over by the police due to fear or complicity.

Such a large number of weapons in the hands of undesirable elements and violent groups is a big threat to the state. Hardly one-fourth of these weapons has been recovered. To make the matters worse, the Kuki groups even use drones to spread violence. They obviously have a lot of support.

Countries like China, Pakistan and Bangladesh have their own vested interests in the region and have tried to fish in the troubled waters. The Myanmar situation is also a big factor.

The government has responded by sending even more forces, but the situation is not under its full control.

So, the task is cut out now for the President's rule authorities. Their priority should be to stop the violence and get the looted weapons back. A lot of work needs to be done simultaneously.

The main tasks include investigating cases, putting the state economy on rails, restoring harmony and peace between the communities, rehabilitating the displaced, tackling illegal immigrants, having an impartial police and bureaucracy, sealing the border with Myanmar to stop illegal migration and smuggling of drugs and weapons, thwarting the ill designs of foreign countries and restoring the political process.

Let's hope that peace is achieved soon. This beautiful state in the North-East deserves peace and happiness not only for its own sake but also for India.