Peace in Manipur remains elusive as ethnic violence continues between the Meitei and Kuki communities. The conflict has escalated, with reports of drones and rocket bombs being used, further complicating efforts for resolution.
Background
Last year, conflict erupted between the Meitei community, primarily in Imphal Valley, and the Kuki community, living in the surrounding hills. Despite a year passing, the conflict shows no signs of easing, with administrative functions becoming increasingly fragmented. The mistrust is so profound that the Meitei community is absent from the hills, while the Kuki community avoids the valley. Central forces are visible in Kuki areas, while the Manipuri police, accused of bias towards the Meitei, are not allowed by the people in Kuki regions. Despite the deployment of numerous paramilitary forces, the violence persists.
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Current Situation in Manipur
- Community Mistrust and Polarisation: Deep-rooted mistrust between the Meitei and Kuki communities persists, leading to severe polarisation along ethnic lines. The polarisation extends to government officials, including the police, who are expected to remain impartial but have shown bias. For example, the Manipuri police have been accused of favouring the Meitei community.
- Availability of Weapons: When the violence began, weapons were looted from police stations, and now there are between 5,000 to 6,000 weapons circulating in society. The situation is further worsened by the easy availability of weapons from the Indo-Myanmar border. Recent technological advancements have further escalated the conflict, with drones and other modern weaponry being utilised.
- Misinformation Campaigns: Sustained efforts in misinformation and disinformation have fueled hatred and occasionally triggered sudden escalations in violence. All stakeholders are involved in spreading false narratives, with social media serving as a primary platform for disseminating these harmful and misleading stories.
- Security Forces Deployment: The situation remains largely unchanged despite a significant deployment of security forces because of following reasons:
- Terrain: The complex terrain of Manipur, which includes remote and rugged areas, makes comprehensive ground coverage difficult.
- Lack of Support: The effectiveness of paramilitary forces is hindered by the lack of support from local police. The polarisation and perceived bias of the Manipuri police obstruct the effectiveness of central forces, as crucial intelligence is often not shared.
- Insurgent Involvement: Insurgent groups from Myanmar, based in the valley, are also involved in the conflict. Additionally, Kuki insurgent groups, such as the Kuki SoO, are actively participating in the violence. Recent incidents, including one in Jiribam, have seen involvement from both Kuki and Meitei insurgent groups, such as the UNLF-Pambei.
- Role of Civil Society Organizations: Civil society organisations play a crucial role in conflict resolution; however, in this case, they have aggravated the situation. Both the Meitei and Kuki communities support their respective groups and narratives rather than fostering inter-community dialogue and understanding. This has contributed to the polarisation.
- Demands: The Kukis advocate for a separate administration, while the Meiteis emphasise preserving Manipur’s territorial integrity and oppose any division of the state.
Proposed Solutions
- Military Action
- Sealing the Indo-Myanmar Border: Implement measures to completely seal the border to prevent the smuggling of weapons into the conflict zones.
- Internal Area Domination: Increase military presence and control within the Imphal Valley to deter armed miscreants and disrupt their operations.
- Intelligence-Based Operations: Conduct operations based on actionable intelligence to recover weapons and war-like stores. Effective recovery efforts are essential to reduce violence.
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B. Confidence Building Measures
- Community Engagement: Start a structured process to engage both the Meitei and Kuki communities. Address their specific grievances and work towards resolving them. Ensure that the concerns of both communities are addressed earnestly to build trust.
- Peace and Reconciliation Commission: Establish a commission composed of neutral members who are acceptable to both communities. This commission should focus on facilitating peace and reconciliation.
C. Legal and Administrative Actions
- Closure of Inquiries: It is essential to address the inquiries related to incidents that occurred during the violence. Authorities must ensure that ongoing investigations by commissions are concluded without delay. Additionally, the cases transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) should be expedited for timely resolution. Effectively managing these cases will help strengthen public trust in the central government.
- Compensation: Offer compensation to individuals and families affected by the conflict. Financial support is crucial for those who have suffered losses and can help in the healing process.
D. Broad-Based Engagement
- Multi-Stakeholder Involvement
- Encourage Widespread Participation: Involve all sections of society in the resolution process. This includes civil society organisations from outside the state and media outlets.
- Media Involvement: Utilise media to raise awareness and facilitate engagement in the peace process. Although the government bears the primary responsibility for addressing the conflict, social participation is crucial for a comprehensive and lasting resolution.
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Conclusion
Resolving the ethnic violence in Manipur requires a comprehensive approach that balances immediate security measures with long-term reconciliation efforts. lasting peace depends on trust-building initiatives, such as community engagement and a neutral Peace Commission. Swift resolution of legal cases and compensation for victims will restore confidence in the government, while broad-based societal involvement is essential for a sustainable solution to the conflict.
September 18, 2024
