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Introduction

Manipur’s turmoil has compelled the rare but justified extension of President’s Rule for another six months, signalling a constitutional breakdown and severe internal security challenge. Despite a crackdown on militant groups, reduced open violence, and some displaced families returning, the Kuki‑Zo–Meitei ethnic and political schism remains unbridged, with buffer zones rigidly segregating communities and polarised demands hardening.

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Root Causes of the Manipur Crisis

• Deep ethnic schism & competing political projects: The core conflict is ideological and territorial, Kuki‑Zo groups demand separate administration, while hardline Meitei groups label fellow citizens “outsiders.”
• Militant impunity and ethnic militarisation: Armed groups acting for ethnic interests long enjoyed impunity, entrenching violence as a political language.
• Spatial segregation through buffer zones: Buffer zones rigidly segregate communities, institutionalising mistrust and preventing everyday reconciliation.
• Governance bias & silencing of moderates: Biased governance deepened alienation, civil society actors who critiqued it were hounded, shrinking the space for reconciliation.
• Collapse of the elected government & trust deficit: Post-resignation, violence dipped and some families returned, but the schism persists.
• President’s Rule as symptom, not cure: While constitutionally valid in crises, President’s Rule cannot substitute for reconciliation and political settlement.
  Eg: The extension of President’s Rule reflects constitutional breakdown, but success “should not be measured by absence of violence alone.”

Administrative & Political Measures to Bridge the Crisis and Restore Peace 

• Sustained de‑weaponisation & defanging of militants: Continuing to dismantle armed capacities ends the aura of impunity and empowers moderates.
• Rebuild rule of law: Guaranteeing space for critical civil society voices encourages reconciliation narratives to surface.
• Structured political dialogue: A transparent, Centre-facilitated, multi-stakeholder process must engage Kuki‑Zo demands for separate administration and Meitei insecurities.
• Shared political responsibility: National parties must actively lead, and regional parties & civil society must defy hardliners to craft consensus.
• Reconfigure/soften buffer zones through confidence-building: Gradual dismantling or flexible management of buffer zones, with monitored returns, can normalise inter-community contact.
  Eg: Some displaced families returning since May 2023 shows calibrated reintegration is possible.
• Time-bound roadmap under President’s Rule: Use the President’s Rule window to set milestones dialogue, de-weaponisation, civil society protection and restore a representative government.
  

Conclusion

Manipur’s crisis reflects deep ethnic-political fault lines, not just law-and-order failure. Lasting peace requires a Centre-led, inclusive political process that protects civil society, curbs militancy, ends segregation, and fosters reconciliation measured by restored trust, not temporary calm.

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