Amit Shah’s Lok Sabha Statement On Manipur Violence Failed To Address Multiple Concerns

The Opposition's attempt to force Prime Minister Narendra Modi to deliver a statement on Manipur, which has been engulfed in ethnic violence between the Meiteis and Kukis for 100 days, through the non-confidence motion brought by them in Lok Sabha, was successful. However, by the time PM Modi spoke on the violence, the Opposition parties had staged a walkout — indicating the failure of the Opposition's strategy.

During his two-hour-long speech this Thursday in the Lok Sabha, PM Modi spoke about Manipur for just a few minutes, assuring the people of the country that peace would soon be restored in the state. He mentioned that efforts were being made by both the Centre and the state government to achieve this. He refrained from delving into details and referred to Home Minister Amit Shah's detailed statement on the floor of the house on Wednesday for clarity on the government's outlook on the issue.

It should be noted that Shah provided detailed explanations about the events that led to the turmoil in the northeastern state. He highlighted the issue of Chin-Kuki immigrants from Myanmar arriving in the state following the military takeover in the neighbouring country in 2021. This influx of Chin-Kuki people was cited as a cause of concern for the Meiteis of the state. Shah also attributed the blame to the Manipur High Court's order, which directed the state government to submit recommendations to the Centre for including Meiteis in the list of Scheduled Tribes.

Significantly, both Shah and Modi defended the state's Chief Minister, N Biren Singh, emphasizing there was no intention of removing him from his position. According to them, the chief minister had cooperated with the Centre during the appointment of a new security advisor and a new Director General of Police. The home minister aptly pointed out that most of the killings had occurred in the early days of May, and since then, the number of killings had decreased.

However, even after Amit Shah's much-needed detailed statement about the violence in parliament, several crucial questions remained unanswered. The Kuki-Zomis were discontented with the policies of the Biren Singh government even before the outbreak of violence. Why did he and his government not address their concerns? Similarly, the Meiteis also had their own concerns. Was there any genuine effort by the state government to address these issues? It's also worth noting that just before the violence erupted, a group of four BJP MLAs, all from the Meitei community, expressed their discontent against Biren Singh by resigning from their posts. Even RK Ranjan Singh, the lone Lok Sabha MP from the state and a Union minister from the Meitei community stated after the violence erupted that law and order in the state had "completely failed" — an evident indirect critique of the chief minister's governing style.

Furthermore, isn't it true that the Biren government failed to predict the violence despite clear signs of deteriorating law and order due to rising discontent? The Chin-Kuki influx from Myanmar and the drug trade are undeniable challenges and serious concerns. However, solely attributing these factors, along with the High Court's order, as the main reasons do not effectively address the underlying causes responsible for the ethnic violence in the state, which has already claimed over 150 lives. The Centre must not overlook the necessity of comprehensive political solutions in the state.

Another Case Of Gang Rape Horror In Manipur

Yet another case of gang rape has emerged from the turbulent state of Manipur. The incident occurred on May 3, the same day ethnic clashes erupted following the solidarity march organized by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum. An FIR was lodged after a 37-year-old woman from the Meitei community approached the police, reporting sexual assault by Kuki miscreants in the Churachandpur district.

Curiously, there hasn't been as much public outcry over this gang rape as there was for the victims from the Kuki-Zomi community who were publicly humiliated and subjected to sexual violence by miscreants from the Meitei community. Should the outrage and demand for justice for victims of gang rape hinge on their community identity and concealed political motivations? Regardless of their community, victims of gang rape deserve justice. It appears that this principle doesn't hold for a segment of liberals in the country, as their reaction to gang rape cases seems influenced by their concealed political agenda. We hope that the authorities take stringent action against the perpetrators of this gang rape case.

Amid Turmoil, Nagas Of Manipur Raise Their Voice

It has been 100 days since clashes erupted in the northeastern state between the Meiteis living in the plains and the Kukis dwelling in the hills. The Nagas, who also reside in the hills, have remained neutral in this conflict. In fact, the Naga-dominated districts of the state have remained largely peaceful.

However, on Wednesday, the United Naga Council organised protest marches in the four Naga-dominated districts — Ukhrul, Senapati, Chandel, and Tamenglong — to expedite the Indo-Naga political issues based on the Framework Agreement signed in 2015. These rallies garnered support from Kuki-Zomi tribes.

Significantly, these rallies are taking place at a time when Kuki-Zomis are demanding a separate administration in the state. It should be noted that some of the areas claimed by Kuki-Zomis in the hills are also considered ancestral lands by the Nagas. The Naga-Kuki ethnic violence of the 1990s — the most horrific instance of ethnic violence the state has witnessed thus far — resulting in over 700 casualties, was primarily rooted in land conflicts between these two communities. Through these rallies, the Nagas aim to convey to the Centre that their interests should be considered when arriving at political resolutions to address the ongoing Meitei-Kuki conflict.

What Does MNF's Support To No-Confidence Motion In Lok Sabha Mean?

On Thursday, the lone Lok Sabha member of the Mizo National Front (MNF), C Lalrosanga, extended support to the no-confidence motion brought by the Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance (INDIA). It's worth mentioning that the ruling party of Mizoram, led by Chief Minister Zoramthanga, is a constituent of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Centre. The Mizoram National Front even participated in the NDA meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month.

The MNF has clarified that despite supporting the no-confidence motion, it remains part of the NDA. Lalrosanga asserted that he backed the motion due to concerns related to the Manipur issue. He explicitly stated that his party was entirely dissatisfied with the developments in the neighbouring state and the approach taken by its ally, the BJP. Importantly, although the MNF supported the no-confidence motion, it did not join the Opposition in walking out of the House.

By endorsing the no-confidence motion, the MNF intends to convey to the Mizos, the dominant community in the state, that when it concerns the interests of the Zo tribes — which include Chins, Kukis, Zomis, and Mizos — the party will consistently raise its voice and, if necessary, oppose the BJP-led NDA. This move is informed by the electoral calculations of the state, which is scheduled to hold elections later this year.

The author is a political commentator. 

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