This week, unrest returned to the valley in the strife-torn state of Manipur as protesting students clashed with the police. In response to these clashes, prohibitory orders were imposed in five valley districts of Manipur — Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Kakching, and Bishnupur. An indefinite curfew was enforced in Imphal East and Imphal West. The internet was also suspended.
However, the state government has since partially restored internet services and relaxed the curfew in both Imphal East and Imphal West.
Since September 1, the violence in Manipur has escalated, leading to the deaths of 10 people. The use of modern weapons by Kuki-Zomi militants targeting the Meiteis underscores the dire situation in the northeastern state. These attacks by Kuki-Zomi militants have instilled fear among the Meiteis, the dominant community in the valley.
Consequently, the Meiteis have resorted to protests to voice their demands, which include the removal of Centre-appointed security advisor Kuldiep Singh, state DGP Rajiv Singh, and the return of the Unified Command’s charge to Chief Minister Biren Singh. When the violence erupted in the state last year, the Centre appointed Kuldiep Singh as the state security advisor, placing him in charge of the Unified Command, which oversees operations by the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, Border Security Force, and Central Reserve Police Force.
It appears that the students' anger is primarily directed at the Centre, which has been slow to take decisive action to restore normalcy in the state. The current unrest in Manipur, particularly in the valley, reflects growing dissatisfaction among the Meiteis with the Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance government at the Centre.
However, violence in the state is not limited to Kuki-Zomi militants; Meitei militant groups are also involved. This week, Meitei militants attacked security forces, who successfully repelled the assault.
In this polarised environment, Meiteis are demanding the withdrawal of Assam Rifles from the state, while the Kuki-Zomi community prefers central security forces and distrusts the state police. Amidst this tension, the Centre has decided to move two battalions of Assam Rifles out of the state and deploy two additional battalions of the CRPF, comprising 2,000 personnel. This is a welcome step by the Centre, as it addresses some of the Meiteis' concerns. Nevertheless, the Centre must adopt a firm stance in dealing with all militants, regardless of their ethnic affiliations, and ensure that its actions are visible on the ground.
Centre Needs To Impose President’s Rule Immediately
One of the demands of the protesting students was to return the charge of the Unified Command to Chief Minister Biren Singh. The CM met state Governor Laxman Acharya, accompanied by BJP-led NDA MLAs, to push for this change. While it is true that Centre-appointed security advisor Kuldiep Singh has not been as effective as anticipated in addressing the resurgence of terrorism in the state, this does not justify the demand. Notably, Biren Singh is disliked by the Kuki-Zomis as well as a section of BJP MLAs, who didn't accompany him during his meeting with the Governor.
Since the eruption of violence in the state last year, the Centre has shied away from fully taking control of the state and has been in charge of the state partially through its security advisor. This strategy, however, hasn't paid much dividends yet. So, it will be better for the Centre to take full control of the state by imposing President’s Rule. It must ask Biren Singh, who is alleged to sympathise with Meitei terrorists, to quit the post. The ruling BJP has to look beyond narrow political interests in the state after the removal of Biren Singh. Time is running out in Manipur and the Centre has to act in time.
Naga Peace Still An Unresolved Issue
This week, a high-level meeting of the Naga Political Affairs committee, formed by the Neiphiu Rio-led Nagaland government to facilitate the pending Naga Peace Talks, was held. During the meeting, an appeal was made to the Centre to elevate the ongoing peace talks by appointing a high-level political interlocutor. This was one of the four resolutions adopted, jointly signed by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Deputy Chief Ministers Y Patton and TR Zeliang, Rajya Sabha member S Phangnon Konyak, and Lok Sabha member Supongmeren Jamir.
The resolution urged various Naga groups to avoid factionalism and emphasised working collectively toward a common goal. This is significant because the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah), which has been in talks with the Centre since 1997, differs from the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs), which joined the talks in 2017. While the NSCN(I-M) remains adamant about a separate flag and constitution, the NNPGs — a coalition of seven Naga groups — are prepared to accept what the Centre is offering at present.
Amidst this, Tamil Nadu Governor and former interlocutor of the Naga Peace Talks, N Ravi, stated that the Naga Peace Talks were resolved with the conclusion of discussions on October 31, 2019. He added that the issues of a separate flag and constitution were also addressed.
Ravi’s statement is also significant. If the peace talks were concluded in 2019, why is there still discussion about unresolved talks? Is the NSCN(I-M) creating obstacles by holding firm on unnecessary demands? This appears to be the case, as the NNPGs are already aligned with the Centre on the Naga Peace Talks. It is worth noting that N Ravi was removed as the interlocutor in 2022 by the Centre, following pressure from the NSCN(I-M).