Government Needs to End Conflict in Manipur and Promote Unity
Manipur, a border state in northeastern India, has been plagued by communal strife since May 2023. The deep divide in Manipuri society is evident, with over 200 lives lost and thousands displaced in the worst-ever ethnic violence the state witnessed in 2021.
The communal strife in Manipur has been aided and abetted by both the Central and state governments. The state government, led by a chief minister from the Prime Minister's party, has been criticized for its inaction and partisan administration. The Union government, on the other hand, is being held accountable for its failure to intervene, including its failure to address the law-and-order situation in the state.
The Supreme Court has observed the total failure of law-and-order machinery in Manipur. In response, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for harmony in Manipur, emphasizing the urgent need for peace and reconciliation in the state.
The Union Minister responsible for Manipur, including roles related to ethnic tensions and development, is Amit Shah, the Union Home Minister, who oversees internal security and related matters in India. The Prime Minister's visit to Manipur is his first since the state witnessed its worst-ever ethnic violence in 2021.
Many people in Manipur are still living in refugee camps, a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict. The 10 Kuki-Zo MLAs in the Manipur Assembly, including 7 from the BJP, have demanded a separate administration or a Union territory for the hill areas where the tribes people live. This demand for a separate administration or Union territory has become more urgent and cannot be ignored by the government.
The Prime Minister's call for harmony in Manipur is significant. It is up to Mr. Modi and the Union government to demonstrate their commitment to bringing peace and prosperity to Manipur by removing all impediments, regardless of political affiliations. For the minority tribes people in Manipur, justice and fairness are key to building a bridge of harmony.
The majority Meitei community in Manipur has no objection to building a bridge of harmony on the foundation of justice and fairness. Positive actions from the Union government following Mr. Modi's exhortation to the people of Manipur could score points for Mr. Modi, demonstrating his government's commitment to addressing the long-standing issues in the state.
However, the NDA government may need to change its approach to dealing with the Manipur conflict, moving away from ad-hocism and avoidance. The Union government removed the chief minister, Mr. Biren Singh, when it became clear that his continuance was undermining the survival of his own ethnic group.
In conclusion, the communal strife in Manipur requires immediate attention and action from the Union government. The Prime Minister's call for harmony is a step in the right direction, but it is up to the Union government to demonstrate its commitment to bringing peace and prosperity to Manipur.
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