Answer

Introduction

Manipur, straddling South and Southeast Asia, has long faced ethnic tensions and insurgency rooted in deprivation and poor connectivity. This week’s tripartite pact with Kuki-Zo groups and the reopening of a key highway mark steps toward combining security with development for lasting peace.

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Sustainable peace in Manipur requires socio-economic development alongside security measures

• Reducing grievances through economic opportunities: Poverty and unemployment fuel violence; socio-economic development offers alternatives and reduces reliance on militancy.
  Eg: In Manipur, prolonged blockades disrupted trade and employment; reopening NH-2 can restore economic activity and reduce economic frustration.
• Strengthening social cohesion: Education, healthcare, and infrastructure projects bridge community gaps and promote interdependence.
  Eg: Building schools and hospitals in both Meitei-dominated valleys and Kuki-Zo hill areas can encourage interaction and mutual trust.
• Addressing identity and land-related disputes: Land rights and resource allocation are core triggers of conflict. Socio-economic policies that fairly distribute resources can reduce territorial tensions.
• Enhancing political participation and representation: Economic empowerment boosts political participation and weakens support for insurgency.
  Eg: Training programs for youth from marginalized groups in Manipur can increase their participation in local governance, reducing support for armed groups.
• Complementing security measures with long-term solutions:Security alone curbs violence temporarily; addressing socio-economic gaps ensures lasting peace.
  Eg: The new Suspension of Operations (SoO) pact in Manipur provides security, but combining it with economic rehabilitation and infrastructure development ensures durable peace.

Challenges in maintaining sustainable peace in Manipur

• Persistent Distrust Across Communities: Despite the pact, Meitei groups called it “fuel to the fire,” showing deep mistrust remains.
• Fragile Nature of Peace Initiatives: Past attempts like bus services between divided areas led to casualties, revealing the fragility of trust-building.
  Eg: Even symbolic steps toward reconciliation risk escalating violence.
• Sporadic Violence Despite Security Deployment: Heavy security cannot fully prevent violence rooted in unresolved socio-political conflicts.
• Unresolved Core Issues: Root causes; identity, land rights, representation, economic opportunities remain unaddressed.
• Weak Political Leadership and Trust Deficit: Political leadership has failed to inspire confidence, leaving dialogue stillborn.
  Eg: The unilateral termination of SoO in March 2023 worsened relations and eroded trust in governance.

Conclusion

The renewed SoO pact and reopening of NH-2 are important steps, but sustainable peace requires inclusive dialogue on identity, land, and representation. Coupled with rehabilitation of displaced communities and socio-economic development, a Prime Ministerial push could build momentum. True stability rests on combining security, justice, reconciliation, and development.

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