Absence of Kuki MLAs in Manipur Assembly Session Reflects Tribals’ Sentiment

On May 3rd, 2023, a Kuki MLA was mobbed lynched after meeting the CM at his residence, and another Kuki MLA, rather, a minister, had to flee from his residence where he had to leave behind his own car midway to survive. Then, deployment of state security forces to disperse the mob or transportation via helicopter services was an option too costly for the chief minister then, but today the same CM invites Kuki MLAs for the assembly session. Does he have the moral right to do so?

The invitation of Kuki MLAs is as much a staged drama by Biren as he did with his ‘resignation’. As rightly called out by Mr. Paolenlal Haokip, an MLA from Saikot constituency, Biren is nothing more than a thug leader. Never in the history of India has one witnessed the level of protection that the Biren government has given to a militia organisation that perfectly meets the criteria of a terrorist organisation in India by any other government both at the states and centre. They captured the constitutional authorities in the heart of Imphal valley in the presence of government security forces under his control and authority, but he later came to their rescue saying they were just youth village volunteers. Thus, if he is not their leader, why is he giving them protection?

During conflicts, unlike Biren, a government never tells its MLAs to evacuate their people but ensure law and order. At such times, the government stands by both communities, not one; deals with iron fist against the culprits, not give them protection and aid; gives them the assurance of peace and harmony, not slur at the victims as “Yong macha” or illegal immigrants; accepts their failure, not pass on the failure to an organisation of a victim community; listens to the voice of the people, not impose its rule against them by instituting a new government post to terrorise the victim community; curbs any means and medium which can further deteriorate the communal hatred, but media fraternity and Manipuri artists flourishing in Imphal are given the freedom of speech and expression beyond the exceptions outlined under Article 19(1) of the Constitution to propagate and incite communal hatred. Biren’s post conflict actions and responses are poor and inadequate like his response on the eve and following days of 3rd May 2023.

Is Biren suffering from bipolar disorder or is he a dementia patient? He seems to have forgotten his actions during those fateful days of May 2023 and now he has the audacity to send the invitation to the Kuki MLAs to attend the Assembly session in Imphal.

If one thing can be concluded based on his response and actions of the past and the present, Biren is someone who cannot accept his mistakes. With Arambai Tenggol, UNLF(P) and other terrorist organisations who fled from Myanmar now making Imphal their paradise and their jurisdiction, by inviting the Kuki MLAs one thing that can be concluded beyond doubt is that safety for Kukis - be it their MLAs or the common netizens - has never bothered Biren, not now, not ever. Had Biren accepted his failure earlier on, Manipur’s integrity could have been saved. But now the boat has left the harbour.  The fact that he still stays in his position is a reminder that he is putting forth for the world to know that he is not apologetic nor does he accept the atrocities committed against the Kukis under his government by his so called ‘youth volunteers’ and the militant outfit he brought under the ambit of SoO.

Peace is not the cessation of violence or war but the harmonious existence of all communities. Is that possible in Manipur today? The hatred among the communities is too deep rooted that a third-party tribal MP’s parliamentary speech for the removal of Biren due to his failure is welcomed with a boycott and backlash from the majority community. The domineering politics of the majority community is thus the reality today. Thus, if restoration of peace is the goal of the central government, separate administration is the only solution. Because in a state called Manipur in independent India, a minority community called Kukis are subjugated to the same oppression and discrimination like our forefathers were subjugated upon by the Britishers. They need to be freed from the clutches of their oppressor.

Today the Kukis no longer see their future, hope, safety and security in the state of Manipur because they are treated both by the government and the majority community as an oppressed class. Thus the absence of Kukis MLAs in the assembly session of Manipur represents the voice of the people they represent. As Aung San Suu Kyi says, “For me, real freedom is freedom from fear and unless you are free from fear, you cannot live a dignified life.”

The freedom attained by India in 1947 is under attack for the Kukis, as they are subjugated to fear and their dignity stepped over. Real freedom and their right to live with dignity and equality can be ensured only through separate administration, not under a domineering and discriminatory Meitei community-controlled state government.