The ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur has escalated, with recent clashes between militants and security forces in Jiribam district resulting in the deaths of 10 armed militants. 

Escalating Violence in Manipur

• Recent Clash in Jiribam District: On 11 November 2024, an encounter between armed militants and security forces resulted in the death of 10 militants. 
  • The incident followed an attack by the militia on security personnel and internally displaced people seeking refuge in the area.
• Abduction: On the same day, three women and three children, including an eight-month-old infant, were abducted, while two elderly individuals were burnt alive.
• Impact on Civilians: The violence continues to severely affect women, children, and the elderly since violence that began in May 2023. More than 250 people have been killed and 60,000 have been displaced.

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Governance and Security Challenges

• Mistrust: The Kukis do not trust the government or the police, and in fact, the army is also not present in the hilly regions where the Kukis predominantly reside.  
• Looted Police Weapon: The weapons recovered from the encounter site were found to have been looted from the police, highlighting the severe governance challenges faced by the state.
• Failure of State Government: Chief Minister N. Biren Singh (a Meitei himself) has struggled to contain the violence and lacks the trust of the Kuki community, who perceive the government as partisan.
• Centre’s Responsibility: With the state government unable to resolve the crisis, the responsibility of managing the conflict has largely fallen on the Centre. 
  • The Ministry of Home Affairs held a meeting in October with political representatives from both the Kuki and Meitei communities, but no significant progress toward peace was made.

The Role of the Centre in Restoring Peace

• Trust in Central Forces: Despite the recent incident involving the CRPF, central security forces like the Indian Army and CRPF are largely trusted by the Kuki community.
• Need for Political Solution: Policing alone will not restore lasting peace. A sustainable solution will require a political arrangement that promotes accommodation and peaceful coexistence between the Meitei and Kuki communities.
• Centre’s Capacity: The Centre is the only entity with the resources and capacity to mediate a lasting political settlement to the ongoing violence.

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Conclusion

The recent surge in violence represents a significant setback, but the Centre must redouble its efforts to encourage dialogue and peace between the Meitei and Kuki communities. It is only through a political resolution, involving mutual accommodation and coexistence, can the violence in Manipur be brought to an end.

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