Manipur’s misery

MANIPUR is a tragic example of a state left to fend for itself. Peace and normalcy have eluded it for the past two years, ever since ethnic violence broke out between Meiteis and Kukis. Even the imposition of President’s rule – for all intents and purposes, a belated step — has not made much difference on the ground. More than 260 people have been killed, around 1,500 injured and over 70,000 displaced during the prolonged mayhem that has shown the Central and state governments in a poor light. Thousands of uprooted residents — labelled “Internally Displaced Persons” — are living in overcrowded camps, clutching to the hope that they will return to their homes and rebuild their lives.

The BJP has dangled the “double-engine” bait before voters to win one Assembly election after another across the country, but Manipur’s woes sum up how things can go horribly wrong even when the same party is in power at the Centre and in the state. It became obvious shortly after the ethnic clashes broke out that the situation had spun out of Chief Minister N Biren Singh’s control. However, the ruling party kept him in the saddle, even ignoring serious allegations that he was playing a partisan role. Biren thought he would make amends with a public apology, but by that time his position had become even more tenable. He was finally shown the door in February this year, but it’s unpardonable that the BJP delayed the inevitable for so long.

No less inexcusable is the failure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the strife-torn state even once during the past two years. Why he has been conspicuous by his absence is a question Manipuris themselves are asking, not just the Opposition. The healing touch has remained painfully elusive. Such unfair treatment is a blot on India, that is Bharat.