In BJP-ruled Manipur, the insurgency shows no signs of abating. Every day the incidents of violence are increasing. Chief Minister Biren Singh himself says that the situation in the state is miserable. Last day the assailants fired at the army in Imphal West. There were too many villagers in the area and the army could not retaliate properly. A soldier was shot as well. So far, the number of people who have lost their lives in the riots in the state has exceeded 100, around 500 people have been injured, thousands of houses have been burnt down, more than 200 Christian churches have been destroyed, 17 temples have been set on fire and many government institutions and schools have been destroyed.

The riots that started on May 3 showed signs of subsiding but flared up again. The government has failed to prove that it is unbiased and to take strict action against the aggressors while controlling the riots with the help of the army. Conflict continues between the Meiteis, the majority community, and more than 30 sub-groups, such as the Kuki and Naga tribes. The agitation that started against the move to grant Scheduled Tribe status to the Meitei category is what turned into violence. The opposition's allegation that the chief minister's ambivalence in his stance and favoritism towards the Meitei sect has led to the worsening of the riots is true. Unbiased and strong measures are needed to control the riots.

We should not forget the fact that the feeling that the government is protecting a section has caused more deaths in riots in the past. The Kukis have the highest casualties in the violence. They are engaged in retaliatory violence. Meanwhile, efforts continue on the other side to attack more Kukis and expropriate their properties. Despite the visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and his team, there was no expected result. It is alleged that the weapons stolen from the police arsenal are being used by the majority community against the tribal groups. The Kuki sect also alleges that the theft of weapons is done with the help of the police. Meanwhile, other parties and the government accuse the Kukis of getting weapons from neighboring countries, including China. Both sides are not ready for peace talks. Everything is happening under the control of the attackers. This needs to change. There should be announcements to end the feeling that government benefits are meant to save only a select group of people. What is needed now is the strong intervention of the Center and the Prime Minister, and if President's rule is required, the government should be ready for that as well.

It should also be noted that central governments have been able to quell larger insurgencies and separatisms through strong interventions in the past. Anyway, things shouldn't proceed like this. The problem becomes impossible to solve as the number of deaths increases. Decent compensation should be announced, the homeless should be resettled, and government jobs should be announced for the dependents of the victims. The problem can be solved only through administrative and political processes which should not be delayed further.