The fresh events in Manipur indicate that the turmoil in the state is far from fading. On Saturday, a mob destroyed a makeshift Assam Rifles camp in Kamjong district. The unrest began when Assam Rifles personnel allegedly blocked the transportation of timber intended for housing construction in a Naga-majority area. The paramilitary force responded with tear gas and aerial firing to disperse the crowd. No casualties were reported, but the incident is a clear indicator of the growing tensions and mistrust between communities and state authorities. This, clearly, is not an isolated incident. For over 19 months, Manipur has been gripped by ethnic violence, primarily between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. Hundreds of lives have been lost, thousands of homes destroyed, and around a lakh people uprooted from their homes. The violence has deeply scarred the community, with women and children often bearing the brunt of the brutality. It is highly despicable that sexual violence has been weaponised as a tool of humiliation. These are all signs of the horrific depths to which this conflict has plunged.
The state and Central governments have been persistent in their failure to address this crisis. Quite shockingly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had maintained almost absolute silence for over a year after the violence began. Activists and many people of the state are convinced that the Central government, led by the PM, is still not doing enough to abate the flames of violence. Though the PM had later assured the Parliament of the government’s efforts to restore normalcy, ground realities narrate an altogether different story. Chief Minister N Biren Singh, after a prolonged delay, apologised to the people of the state on the New Year’s Eve for the suffering endured by people. His apology, however, rings hollow when juxtaposed with his earlier political rhetoric blaming external factors and opposition leaders for the crisis. Such statements do little to heal the wounds of a community divided by violence and mistrust. Even now, the Manipur CM has been appealing to community leaders rather than using his powers to quell the crisis.
Manipur’s troubles are intertwined with historical grievances, land disputes, and questions of political autonomy. The violence has been worsened by systemic failures, including a lack of timely action from law enforcement agencies and the judiciary. The Supreme Court, which has criticised the lethargy of investigations, formed a committee to oversee humanitarian aspects of the crisis. However, this has done little to restore faith in the system or bring lasting solutions. Media narratives—including that of social media—have played a divisive role. In popular narrative, village volunteers have often been labelled as militants. This has led to further marginalisation of community defenders. This selective labelling plays a spoilsport in grassroots endeavours to protect vulnerable populations and deflects attention from the state’s inability to maintain law and order. It is a fact that the lack of accountability extends to incidents of violence perpetrated by both sides. Reports of atrocities, including the destruction of homes and brutal killings, are met with calls for justice from community groups, but meaningful action remains elusive on the horizon. Appeals have been made to international organisations, including the United Nations, to cater to the desperation of affected communities seeking recognition and support, but to little avail.
The situation, it seems, demands a novel approach. The process of healing cannot begin without a genuine effort to listen to those who have suffered. A meaningful visit by the Prime Minister to Manipur could be a powerful gesture, and a signal that the concerns of the state’s people are being heard at the highest level of governance. More importantly, it could pave the way for dialogue and reconciliation. Addressing the grievances of both communities and exploring options for greater political autonomy may be the best options available at hand. The ongoing violence in Manipur is a blot on India’s democratic legacy. It challenges the constitutional guarantee of the right to life and dignity. The longer the conflict persists, the deeper the divisions will grow. This will ultimately erode trust and leave scars that could take generations to heal. It is imperative that the state and Central governments take responsibility and act decisively to end the violence. Justice, empathy, and dialogue must form the foundation of any effort to rebuild Manipur’s shattered social equation.