Why Manipur needs a lot more attention

Indian Express

a day ago

Manipur, which had been relatively calm for the last few weeks after large-scale violence spanning two years, is now on edge again following the arrest of an important functionary of the Arambai Tenggol (AT), while some other members of the Meitei outfit have been detained for questioning. After being arrested at Imphal's airport by the CBI, Kanan Singh was moved to Guwahati, where conflict-related trials are being held as per the directions of the Supreme Court. He is said to be a suspended head constable attached to a commando unit of the state police and is accused of being involved in crimes against tribal minorities.
The valley districts, dominated by the Meiteis, have witnessed violence after news of the arrest spread. The threat of self-immolation and a total shutdown cannot be taken lightly. In order to prevent protesters from spilling out onto the streets, the government (President's Rule has been in place in Manipur since February this year) has issued prohibitory orders and imposed a five-day shutdown of all internet services.
Founded as a 'socio-religious' group by BJP MP Leishemba Sanajaoba (who is also the titular king of Manipur) sometime in 2020, the AT has transformed into an armed militia, openly flaunting its weapons and resorting to documented violence and extortion. It should be remembered that Congress leader Jairam Ramesh alleged that the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee president, K Meghachandra, was brutally assaulted in Imphal's Kangla Fort by the AT at a 'meeting' in which the latter had 'summoned' dozens of MLAs. Similar treatment has also allegedly been meted out to policemen who refused to comply with AT's demands.
The AT's boots on the ground have garnered a lot of support among the Meitei majority community due to their 'promise' to supposedly 'protect' the territorial integrity of Manipur. Their cadres, however, are said to have been involved in the looting of weapons from the armouries of the Manipur Rifles and the India Reserve Battalions. Large quantities of these weapons and ammunition have still not been returned, despite Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla's appeal to people of all communities to surrender them. Indeed, they remain available to criminals and rioters for the further perpetuation of violence, keeping the cycle of instability alive.
The substantial influence that AT wields can be gauged from the fact that it is reported to have met the Governor a day before the deadline for depositing the weapons, submitting its own memorandum of demands. It is surprising that, while several militant and separatist outfits of different ethnic communities in Manipur have been banned in the past, given the state's constant engagement with insurgency, the AT continues to escape a ban, despite its documented involvement in illegal activities.
The situation in Manipur is extremely serious. A lot of time has been lost due to the inexplicable lack of attention to the structural problems by both central and state authorities. Only after the imposition of President's Rule and the resignation of N Biren Singh were some concrete steps towards peace taken. But these will not be enough if openly hostile and violent groups like the AT are not made to cease their activities.
Security forces must be tasked proactively. The looted weapons and ammunition must be returned to the armouries at the earliest, failing which violence can recur at any time. The Government must act swiftly to restore its authority and regain the confidence of all communities. If necessary, the constitutional provision of President's Rule should be extended. Those responsible for violence must be brought to justice without fear or favour. The state must not bend to the mob. Kanan Singh's case will be a test.
The government must also carry out a massive outreach to convince the masses of the necessity of giving up parochial ethnic considerations in favour of progress, development, and prosperity. That is the only way to bring closure to the victims of violence. It is a matter of national shame that in two years of conflict, at least 250 people have died and thousands continue to languish in relief camps across the state.
The writer is a retired additional director general (ADG) of the Border Security Force