Manipur: Crisis and its resolution

Manipur has lost many lives and several hundred people got injured in the 45-day-long conflict between the two groups - Meities and the Kukis. Over 100 people have so far been killed in the ugly ethnic clashes that erupted on May 3 and more than 100 people are injured. Properties of crores of rupees have been destroyed. Some people call it Hindu-Christian clash while other went on to the extent of calling it a tribal and non-tribal issue. It is untrue. Mobs burned and destroyed everything on their way in clashes, most of the non-Kuki tribals are not involved in any manner negating the Hindu-Christian riot theory and tribal-non-tribal narrative. It is simply a conflict between Meitei fringe and separatist element and Kuki militants.

In this process, progressive and inclusive Manipur has lost. The social media eco chambers have played a significant role in enabling radical groups in spreading the hate speech, and misinterpretation, propaganda and conspiracy theories ultimately fuelling more violence. With these eco chambers, people are exposed to information and ideas that re-enforce their existing viewpoints making less receptive to any other alternative narratives. All these make more difficult for a meaningful resolution to the crisis. However, there are lakhs of peace-loving people on both sides, who are currently involved in the activities of relief works for the population displaced due to the present crisis.

However, during the conflict, the resilience and action of ordinary people have been remarkable. News reports gave details of how of Kuki women formed human shields to protect Meiti people from mobs, how Meiti women protected their Kuki counterparts in Imphal defy community enmity and strife. These stories highlight potential solution, a human touch. Media outlets can demonstrate a commitment to conductive journalism. Union HM Amit Shah visited Manipur and stayed in Imphal for four days, meeting political leaders and representatives of civil society organisations for a peaceful resolution of the issue between the two warring groups. He also visited the rehabilitation centres where more than 50,000 internally displaced persons are taking shelter.

A better solution could have emerged through dialogue, but peace committee hit snag with many members refusing to join deliberations. More worryingly, Kuki/Zomi representatives have expressed withdrawal of their names as the committee includes Manipur CM N Biren Singh. The government still should not give up on persuading prominent political and Civil Society Representatives to talk with one another. The central government also should feel the pulse of the failure of Biren Singh administration in getting the confidence of all parties.

The continuation of violence for more than over one and half month now with the use of sophisticated modern weapons by the well-trained cadres’ so-called volunteers from both sides with well-coordinated social media campaign makes it no more a case of near clash between the general public of the two communities. The use of mortars, snipers, IED, walky-talkies and drones for surveillance purposes indicate that it is a no more a law and order issue. We have a situation in Manipur where more than 4,500 weapons and lakh of ammunitions looted from police armouries, involvement of the militants from banned outfits cannot be ruled out. Manipur, with its long history of insurgency and a fractured society with an unstable neighbouring country, huge quantity of arms and ammunitions looted from police armouries may go in the hands of  anti-national elements, which may lead to extremely dangerous situation to the national security by all counts.

Meanwhile, a retired lieutenant general from Manipur, L. Nishikanta Singh, has expressed dismay at the violence in his home state, calling it “stateless” and comparing the scale of anarchy to that witnessed in Syria, Libya and Nigeria. “I’m just an ordinary Indian from Manipur living a retired life. The state is now ‘stateless’,” Singh tweeted . Former Indian Army chief General VP Malik (retired) has called for "urgent attention" to the situation in Manipur where ethnic clashes between the Meiteis and the Kuki tribe have been going on since May 3. General Malik, referring to a tweet by a retired senior army officer from Manipur on the bleak situation in the state, tagged Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah, asking for "urgent attention at the highest level."