Manipur: Sobbing valley, boiling anger

Those who are shedding crocodile tears over the alleged attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh should be ashamed of the violence that has been going on in Manipur for the last one and a half years and the plight of the people there. Manipur is not only sobbing, but crying out loud. The women there are going to the houses of the MLAs and screaming while beating their chests. The heart-wrenching videos coming from Imphal are testimony to this. But there is no one to listen to them.

Many people were hoping that perhaps in the third term, the Narendra Modi government at the Center, which is walking on crutches, will take some concrete steps to improve the situation in Manipur, even after listening to the rebukes of Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat. But the government has worsened the situation to such an extent that it is becoming difficult to handle it on its own.

Recent incidents and growing anger
The situation worsened when security forces took action against alleged Kuki militants in Jiribam district on November 11 last week. 10 alleged militants were killed in the encounter. Of these, 9 were from Myanmar and 1 Bangladeshi infiltrator. After this, the relatives of the deceased demonstrated outside Silchar Medical College Hospital (SMCH) in Assam. When the police said that the bodies would be handed over to the Manipur police, the protesters became violent and started pelting stones. Assam police resorted to lathicharge. Then the situation came under control and the relatives agreed to take the bodies from the Manipur police. After this, the bodies were airlifted to Churachandpur in Manipur.

Meanwhile, during an encounter with the CRPF and police on November 11, armed militants kidnapped six people – three women and three children. After three of these bodies were found in the Barak river on Friday, there were massive protests across the state. These bodies also included an eight-month-old child. Saddened by the situation, Jiribam police station in-charge Inspector Sagapam Ibatombi Singh resigned.

Women protesters and explosion of public anger
The situation in Imphal went out of control on Saturday. ‘Meira Paibis’, a famous organization for women’s rights in the state, attacked the houses of many BJP MLAs and ministers. Incidents of arson in the houses of at least three MLAs and vandalism in the houses of about ten MLAs were also reported. Meira Paibis has planned demonstrations and vandalism at the houses of MLAs of the ruling BJP and NDA in the state. This has worsened the situation in the valley.

This is how the events unfolded

· November 11: Encounter with security forces in Jiribam district

· 10 militants were killed in the encounter

· Of these, 9 were reported to be from Myanmar and 1 Bangladeshi infiltrator

· November 15: Six people were kidnapped and brutally murdered in Jiribam district

· The dead were three women and three children, who were living in a relief camp

· This incident sent a wave of anger across the state

· November 16: Attacks on houses of MLAs and ministers

· Houses of three MLAs were set on fire

· Houses of more than ten MLAs were vandalised.

· Angry women have started an organised campaign against the ruling leaders.

The ethnic conflict that has been going on for the last one and a half years has pushed the state into a political, social and humanitarian crisis. The government of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has not only failed to resolve this crisis but has also lost the confidence of the people. Manipur, which was once known for its cultural diversity and peaceful traditions, has now become synonymous with violence and instability and is facing a serious crisis. Ethnic violence, political instability and deepening public discontent are weakening the state. A comprehensive, sensitive and inclusive solution is needed for lasting peace and development, for which no concrete initiative is visible.

The recent incidents of protests by women of the Meitei community outside the houses of MLAs are proof that the public now wants accountability from its leaders. Even strict measures like a ban on the internet in the state and curfew in seven districts are not able to suppress the public’s anger.

An endless conflict: Ethnic divisions and its consequences

The conflict between the Kuki and Meitei communities in Manipur began with the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status in May 2023. This demand created an existential crisis for the Kuki and Naga tribes. They feared that the Meitei community getting ST status would reduce their share in reservation and other rights.

This dispute escalated ethnic tensions in the state, and resulted in large-scale violence, arson, and migration of people. More than 200 people have died in the state, while thousands are living in relief camps.

Leadership of Meira Paibis and resentment against the government

Meira Paibis, who has been a symbol of women power and social justice in Manipur, has opened a front against the government. She alleges that Chief Minister Biren Singh and his government have completely failed to stop this violence.

A protesting woman said,

“We have lost our homes, our children and our peace. We cannot keep quiet any longer. If our leaders cannot protect us, we must remove them from their posts.”

Another protester said,

“Our leaders only want to remain in their posts. They are not bothered by our sufferings.”

Houses of several BJP MLAs were attacked, some of the prominent names are:

Sushildro alias Yaima (minister and MLA, Imphal East)

R.K. Imo (CM’s son-in-law and MLA)

Sapam Nishikant Singh (MLA, Imphal West)

Failed peace efforts by the central government

The central government took several steps to restore peace in Manipur. Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the state a few months after the violence broke out and said that “this is the time for peace and harmony. Violence cannot be a solution to any problem.”

Only last month, on the instructions of Home Minister Shah, the Intelligence Bureau (IB) subordinate to the Union Home Ministry had made every effort to call a meeting of MLAs of both the communities in Delhi for peace talks. Despite this, only 4 out of 10 MLAs of the Kuki tribal community were able to attend the meeting. Then it started to seem that the problem was not going to be solved easily. In any case, this meeting was more to save the BJP-led NDA government of the state than to put an end to the tribal conflicts in Manipur. The result was the same.

The Centre increased the deployment of the army and formed a special peace committee. However, despite all these efforts, the violence increased instead of stopping.

In October 2024, the Centre re-imposed the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in six police station areas. The move was seen as an attempt to show the government’s toughness, but it has further increased public anger.

Questions on political leadership

BJP Chief Minister Biren Singh and his government are facing the biggest public protest ever. People believe that the government not only ignored the situation but also aggravated the crisis. BJP MLA Karam Shyam offered to resign after public pressure.

Call for change

The violence in Manipur is a warning not only for the state but for the entire country. It shows that if ethnic and political problems are not resolved in time, they can break the entire society. The BJP government of Manipur has completely failed in this matter. Yet the state government was not dismissed.

Now the women of Manipur are sending a message that they will not tolerate this injustice anymore. The government has lost the opportunity to fulfill its responsibility and bring the state back on the path of peace and development. The state is going through a serious crisis of violence, anarchy and uncertainty and the BJP government is shamelessly misleading the people of the country by raising the question of alleged attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not visited Manipur till now. There is an urgent need for change in Manipur. Even President’s rule will not be a solution. Because the people of the state have lost faith in both the state and central governments. Perhaps the last chance to save Manipur from the crisis is to hold immediate elections and reinstate a new government. There is an urgent need to consider all aspects with an open mind towards political, social and cultural solutions for the state.

(The author is a senior journalist and has worked in the Northeast for many years.)