Nearly a year after Manipur assembly was put under suspended animation following the eruption of ethnic conflict between the Meitei and the Kuki-Zo communities on May 3, 2023.
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Nearly a year after Manipur assembly was put under suspended animation following the eruption of ethnic conflict between the Meitei and the Kuki-Zo communities on May 3, 2023 that killed more than 250 people and rendered some 60,000 homeless, the President of India has revoked the same to pave the way for return of a popular government, avoiding extension of President’s Rule beyond one year. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Yumnam Khemchand Singh was sworn in as the new chief minister of the state on Wednesday, while Nemcha Kipgen, also a BJP legislator, and Losii Dikho of Naga People’s Front (NPF) were appointed as deputy chief ministers. It is a welcome move and a calculated one as well. Positioning leaders from the Meitei, Naga, and Kuki-Zo communities—three major groups in the state—at the forefront of governance can be viewed as a strategic effort by the Centre to restore normalcy in the violence-torn state. Sidelining former Chief Minister N Biren Singh, whom the Kuki-Zo community had accused of involvement in the ethnic violence, can also be viewed as a confidence-building measure among the conflicting groups. Whether or not this effort results in a positive outcome remains to be seen but any attempt to resolve the long-standing issue should be viewed positively.
While the return of a popular government may portray a semblance of normalcy to the outside world, the situation on the ground is still volatile. Sporadic violence keeps emerging at regular intervals. The recent killing of a Meitei man by unidentified assailants in Churachandpur district, where he was visiting his wife from the Kuki-Zo community, highlights the fragility of the situation. Also, in the aftermath of the latest political development in the state, wherein an MLA from its community has joined the newly formed government as a Deputy CM, several Kuki groups have called for a “total shutdown” in Kuki Zo-dominated areas on Friday in protest and warned its representatives against participating in the government. They have reiterated their demand for a separate administration. It is also a fact that people from the two warring communities still dare not venture into each other’s territories even when the President’s Rule was in place. With the situation remaining volatile, Khemchand Singh and his deputies face a daunting task of turning things around. The newly installed government should not seize the power for political gain ahead of the state assembly election scheduled for the first quarter of next year. Instead, it should use the next few crucial months to rebuild public trust, address misunderstandings, and heal existing wounds. It should prioritise restoration of peace, rehabilitation of displaced persons and inclusive governance.