THE CONTEXT: The ethnic violence that has gripped Manipur for over a year, claiming over 200 lives and displacing thousands, has exposed the failure of both the Centre and the state administration in containing the unrest. Chief Minister N. Biren Singh’s admission of his government’s inability to meet the people’s expectations is a belated acknowledgment of responsibility. With fresh violence erupting in Jiribam and an attack on Singh’s advance convoy, the government must initiate the long-overdue process of healing and reconciliation.
THE ISSUES:
- Blame on “illegal” migrants from Myanmar: Both the Centre and the state administration have repeatedly blamed “illegal” migrants from Myanmar, with whom the Kuki-Zos share ethnicity, for the disruption and the state’s illicit drug trade.
- Chief Minister’s acknowledgment of failure: In his first interview after the Lok Sabha elections, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh acknowledged his government’s inability to contain the unrest, a belated but welcome acknowledgment of responsibility.
- Complex history and identity issues: The recurring pattern of violence is symptomatic of the state’s complex history, where identity is only one part of the story. The mixed population of Meiteis, Kuki-Zos, Bengalis, Muslims, and Nagas in places like Jiribam exacerbates ethnic tensions.
- Economic insecurities and low development: Manipur has the third-lowest per capita income in the country, down from the highest among northeastern states in the 1990s. The state ranks low on various indices like education, employment, infrastructure, and healthcare, leading to anxieties that exacerbate ethnic tensions.
- Need for inclusive governance: The Chief Minister, a Meitei, must move beyond the insider-outsider rhetoric. Manipur’s road to rehabilitation is a genuine willingness to substitute identity politics for equitable and inclusive governance.
THE WAY FORWARD:
- Initiate inclusive dialogue and reconciliation process: The government must initiate an inclusive dialogue process involving all stakeholders, including civil society organizations, to address the underlying grievances and promote reconciliation between the communities. A truth and reconciliation commission should be formed to investigate the violence, establish accountability, and provide a platform for healing and restorative justice.
- Equitable development and resource allocation: The government must prioritize equitable development and resource allocation across all communities in Manipur. This includes investing in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and employment opportunities to address the socio-economic disparities fueling tensions. The Bezbaruah Committee on Assam Accord Implementation (2020) recommended a comprehensive development package for the Northeast to address the region’s developmental deficits.
- Strengthen governance and the rule of law: The government must take firm action against all perpetrators of violence, irrespective of their affiliations, to restore the law and instill confidence in the affected communities. The Justice Verma Committee (2013) recommended deploying adequately trained and equipped specialized forces in conflict zones to maintain law and order.
- Address illegal migration and narcotics trade: The government should take decisive steps to curb illegal migration and the narcotics trade, which are fueling insecurity and tensions in the region. This requires close coordination with neighboring countries and strengthening border security measures. The Gauhati High Court’s Judicial Inquiry Commission (2008) recommended practical measures to prevent the influx of illegal migrants and curb the narcotics trade in the Northeast.
- Empower civil society and promote inter-community dialogue: Civil society organizations should be empowered to facilitate inter-community dialogue, promote understanding, and counter hate speech and misinformation. The Shillong Accord (1975) emphasized the role of civil society in maintaining peace and harmony among different communities in the Northeast.
THE CONCLUSION:
While addressing issues like narcoterrorism, poppy cultivation, and illegal migration is crucial, the road to rehabilitation in Manipur lies not in myopic lip service or a narrow law-and-order approach but in a genuine willingness to substitute identity politics for equitable and inclusive governance. The Chief Minister, a Meitei himself, must move beyond the insider-outsider rhetoric and prioritize restoring peace through a mediated solution involving all stakeholders, with the active intervention of the Centre.
UPSC PAST YEAR QUESTIONS:
Q.1 The northeastern region of India has been infested with insurgency for a very long time. Analyze the primary reasons for the survival of armed insurgency in this region. 2017
Q.2 Article 244 of the Indian Constitution relates to the Administration of Scheduled areas and tribal areas. Analyze the impact of non-implementation of the provisions of the fifth schedule on the growth of Left-Wing Extremism. 2013
Q.3 Analyze internal security threats and transborder crimes along Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Pakistan borders, including the Line of Control (LoC). Also, discuss the role played by various security forces in this regard. 2020
Q.4 Cross-border movement of insurgents is only one of the several security challenges facing the policing of the border in North-East India. Examine the various challenges currently emanating across the India-Myanmar border. Also, discuss the steps to counter the challenges. 2019
Q.5 How far are India’s internal security challenges linked with border management, particularly in view of the long porous borders with most South Asian countries and Myanmar? 2013
MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION:
Q.1 Evaluate the role and response of the state and Central government in containing the violence and restoring peace in Manipur. Identify the shortcomings and suggest measures that could have been taken to prevent the escalation of the conflict.
SOURCE:
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/remember-manipur-9388851/
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