Year and a half of fear in Manipur

It has been more than a year and a half since the ethnic violence in Manipur began. Not only is the violence not contained, but it is also doubtful whether new dimensions are being acquired with the help of foreign powers. Six people were killed in the last series of violence as the riots subsided a bit and peace was expected to be restored. The series of violence came a day after an elderly man was killed and five others injured in a rocket attack in Bishnupur. An incident of a mob attempting to loot weapons from the headquarters of Manipur Rifles and the security forces unsuccessful in resisting them was also reported in the meantime.

Earlier, in districts including Imphal, students took to the streets with protests and pelted stones at the Raj Bhavan. Moreover, the national flag was removed at the Thoubal Collectorate and the Meitei flag was hoisted.

It cannot be assumed that racial rioters are the only ones behind such incidents. It cannot be assumed that the forces that have given indirect support to the student protests in Bangladesh are not making silent moves here as well. Meanwhile, an ex-serviceman of Kuki origin was beaten to death when he accidentally drove to the Meitei area on the Kangpok Phi border and a video of the body was circulated on social media. The law and order situation is being controlled by a joint force comprising the police, army and various central forces. Due to the peculiarities of the topography, there are limitations for military units to infiltrate and conduct raids without the help of the local police. One of the main demands of the student agitators is to hand over control of this joint force to Chief Minister Biren Singh.

The chief minister has requested Governor L Acharya to direct the paramilitary forces to treat extremist Kuki organisations like Maoists.

The Kuki community is living in fear of genocide in the state. The military units should be able to provide protection to those who want to live peacefully, irrespective of which category they belong to. There were also rallies led by Kuki women in various districts demanding that there was a move to withdraw the Assam Rifles and that it should not be done. The Kukis fear that there would be a genocide if the Assam Rifles are withdrawn. Nearly 250 people have lost their lives since the riots began. Thousands were injured. Many houses were burned down.

Neutral observers point out that the riots have pushed the state back by half a century. The Centre has taken a stand to protect the chief minister, who is accused of making a special commitment to the Meitei community. This has also led to a lot of criticism. There should be an immediate intervention on the part of the central government to resolve the issue by giving it more importance. India has a history of resolving even the more serious issues of Punjab and Assam through discussions and actions. It should not be too late for such moves to take place. It is not unknown to the Centre that some are waiting to take advantage of the problems.