Focusing on ‘Seeming Normalcy’ Not the Way Forward for Resto
Focusing on ‘Seeming Normalcy’ Not the Way Forward for Restoring Peace in Manipur
The biggest trouble makers in Manipur are the CSOs (Civil Society Organisations) whose numbers are numerous with many vying to be the true guardian of their own constituency.
The biggest trouble makers in Manipur are the CSOs (Civil
Society Organisations) whose numbers are numerous with many vying to be the
true guardian of their own constituency. Such organisations, in the aftermath
of 5/3 (3rd May 2023) ethnic clashes, took control of the roads and many worked
alongside with radical elements. Some of them took law into their hands and
dispensed justice through kangaroo courts indulging in molestation, looting,
arson, rape, murder, demolition of houses etc., while the law enforcement
authorities often watched helplessly. It was mayhem and it continued for many
days.
The fatal blow for restoring normalcy was delivered when the
unthinkable happened- mobs looting police guns. Losing guns should have raised
alarm bells and provoked the strongest actions possible from the state
government side, but the looting appeared more like arming of militia at the
time of war. Guns and ammunitions from the police armouries were carted away
without any resistance, no shots fired and no heads rolled. The manner in which
the police guns were looted freely speaks volume about the alleged complicity
of the state authorities. Lawlessness became the new normal. The height of
lawlessness was witnessed in the humiliation of the elected representatives
being paraded by a radicalised group at Kangla in January 2024, emasculating
the state government authority. Senior police officer was not spared as
radicalised elements ransacked the officer’s house as he dared question their
actions. The state government did not retaliate to uphold the dignity of the
police officer and surrendered meekly to the high handedness of a non-state
actor which made the demoralised police force protest by briefly laying down
arms. Having shown who is boss, extortion became rampant as the state
government lost all legitimacy to govern.
President’s rule should have been imposed when mayhem took
place in the aftermath of 5/3 (May 3rd) and matters would not have deteriorated
in the way it did. Legislators faced the wrath of frustrated mobs as their
houses were attacked, ransacked and burned. Unable to bear the humiliation as
lawlessness became the new normal, disgruntled and embarrassed legislators of
the ruling party took the extreme step of threatening to bring down the state
government in the first assembly session of 2025. Only when the prospect of an
embarrassment in the floor of the house loomed large, coupled with the sword of
Damocles hanging over the head of Chief Minister in the leaked audio recording
case of his conversation on looted guns currently litigated in the Supreme
Court with forensic report showing 93% voice match, the inevitable could not be
ignored and brushed under the carpet anymore. Shri N Biren Singh resigned and
the search for replacement started. The divide between valley and hills in
Manipur is too deep that leadership replacement, confined to MLAs from BJP of
Meitei community, proved unsuccessful. The failure to find a suitable,
competent and acceptable leader itself is an indication of the influence of
money and muscle power in electorate democracy of Manipur throwing up representatives
fit only for a kakistocracy. Confining the search for Chief Minister material
only from the Meitei community, excluding all other communities itself, shows
that Manipur is already a fractured state. President’s rule came as no surprise
to many keen watchers of Manipur crisis, as no outstanding leader emerged after
the resignation of Shri N Biren Singh, but regrettably PR came too late as the
wound inflicted is already festering.
Quick fix solutions may not work now as the chasm between
the two communities is too wide. The popular government tried to restore free
movement between the two clashing communities but there were no passengers
brave enough to travel across enemy lines and it failed miserably. Same mistake
is being made by the administration under President’s rule. Even if a trip or
two succeeds, it cannot be sustained, as unlike goods transport, which can be
replaced, human beings are irreplaceable and needs to be dealt with care. After
the clash on the first day of promised free movement, the matter is getting
more complicated as an irresponsible CSO appears to have interpreted the
announcement of starting free movement of estranged people through areas of
conflict as an opportunity to reaffirm their position as the dominant community
by taking a victory march procession right through the territory of subjugated
people. The attempt of the CSO can only be termed as suicidal as two innocent
travellers escaped the assault on security forces by huddling in an armoured
car. This incident is likely to deepen the estrangement rather than bridge the
gap. Several injuries were caused with one death, but it could have been worse
had the CSO march gone into the Kuki-Zomi-Hmar territory. As the adage goes -
“it takes two to tango”. Without restoring normalcy through talks and
settlement, but imposing a superficial situation of ‘seeming normalcy’ is only
bound to result in failure with only one party willing to dance to the tune.
Recent incidents have shown that some CSOs in Manipur have
been highly irresponsible and murderous. They along with bad elements have
taken law into their own hands by erecting road blocks, stopping vehicular
movements, checking identity of passengers, dragging out and lynching, burning
passengers inside ambulance, assaulting to cause brain damage (one MLA under
armed police escorts), cold-blooded murder, rape and murder, decapitation of
victims etc.The wound of the ethnic
conflict is too deep and too raw on both sides to forget the pain. Imposition
of free movement of people belonging to warring communities through the
territories of respective clashing group is bound to fail without the two
warring parties talking and working out a compromise, understanding and
settlement. Cowing down a community to submission by intimidation to accept the
dictate of the state government without light at the end of the tunnel of
resolution to Manipur crisis will not be acceptable to those who perceive that
they are the main victim.
The administration under PR should take stern action to make
people believe in rule of law - that they are in control and means business by
bringing those responsible for the carnage to book. Make politicians,
bureaucrats, police accountable for their omissions and commissions causing
deaths, destruction and carnage. Make office bearers of CSOs accountable for
their actions on the streets. Reports of several commissions, committees etc
are awaited and time frame should be set for report submission and action taken
for the families of victims and the communities to find ‘closure’.
The Hon’ble Governor had asked a pertinent question why NSA
(National Security Act) was not used when he had his first meeting in Raj
Bhavan. That question had sent shivers down the spine for fear that the office
bearers of CSOs and radicalised non-state actors could find themselves
transported by flight to jails outside the state. Only stern actions coupled
with initiatives for talks can bring back normalcy in Manipur. Memory is still
very fresh on how a Meitei youth who had innocently ventured into
Kuki-Zomi-Hmar territory was taken hostage and exchanged by freeing some
Kuki-Zomi-Hmar prisoners. The trust deficit between the two warring communities
has not been bridged and no initiative on this front has been taken so far. Few
attempts for talks in Delhi were non-starters. CSOs in Manipur have shown how
they can snatch away militants apprehended by security forces away from their
custody. Many have stopped believing in the ‘rule of law’ and some CSOs have
been known to take law into their own hands. In spite of armed escorts, it is
extremely unlikely that any person from the warring communities will take a bus
or car journey right through each other’s territories. The risk on their lives
is too great and there is no confidence that security forces will be able to
ensure their safety.
There should be no false illusion that hatred between the
Meitei community and the Kuki-Zomi-Hmar has toned down now under PR compared to
the days when Shri N Biren Singh led a popular government. It has not and will
not change without talks. The action of any CSO advocating a march to a zone of
conflict can be termed to be provocative, irresponsible and asking for trouble.
Imagine a convoy of Kuki-Zomi-Hmar people or marchers passing through the
valley? Will the dominant community countenance such intrusion through their
territory without first having a compromise, understanding and settlement? It
is elementary!
This is not the time to display fool hardy bravado or to
create an illusion of ‘seeming normalcy’. Manipur crisis can only be solved
through talks. While other confidence building measures and efforts continue to
be implemented, the importance of dialogue should be understood by everyone,
especially CSOs, who have a vital role to play in restoring normalcy in the
state. Delhi has to understand that the people of Northeast India are resilient
and can weather out a crisis for a long period of time, but the danger is in
allowing the wound to fester without healing, creating the right breeding
ground for extremist feelings to grow and spread. In the fast changing geo
political environment of the north-eastern region surrounded by unstable
neighbours and porous borders, Delhi needs to be convinced that the most
pragmatic approach for early resolution of Manipur crisis is to start a closed
door dialogue to hammer out a way forward for a settlement.
