Manipur’s Descent Towards Anarchy: Reflections on Recent Events and the Way Forward

Manipur has been in turmoil since May 3rd, with no signs of returning to normalcy despite Chief Minister N. Biren Singh's expressing his desire for it. Unfortunately, his words and actions seem out of sync, pushing Manipur backward to where it was at least two decades ago.

The Chief Minister remained silent when violence erupted on May 3rd, as Meiteis burnt and vandalized more than 20 Kuki houses in Kangvai. Subsequently, the situation escalated as groups like Arambai Tenggol went on a rampage, hunting down Kukis in the Imphal valley. Shockingly, the CM stayed silent for over 20 hours, allowing this blood thirsty mob to run amok, resulting in violence, arson, and even the horrific rape of Kuki women. His attempt to call for peace on social media only came on the afternoon of May 4th, after shutting down internet access on May 3rd. This sequence of events does not reflect well on his leadership.

The large-scale looting of weapons from the armory, while not a Guinness World Record, will remain etched in the history of mankind. The state-sponsored ethnic cleansing against the Kukis is an undeniable stain on Manipur's governance, no matter how much the government tries to present itself as a peace ambassador. The government's role in the Meiteis' campaign against the Kukis cannot be concealed. Biren Singh was even hailed as a savior by some, and when he attempted to resign on June 30th, Meiteis protested, creating quite the dramatic spectacle.

Granting Meiteis the freedom to kill Kukis and commit atrocities against their women is part of a systematic effort to manipulate the Meitei population. One should be reminded that many Meitei youths aspired to join the Manipur Police, seen as a dream job, especially for those who couldn't afford political bribes. Dressed in police commando uniforms, Meiteis in the valley felt invincible, partly due to the perceived wealth and power of Manipur Police Commandos. Their ability to carry out extrajudicial killings and receive awards for such actions added to their allure. The allure of this power even led some to sell their land just to secure such a position. When those who couldn't afford it were handed police uniforms and automatic rifles from the state's armory, they didn't hesitate to seize the opportunity. They were let loose after being misled to see the Kukis as the main threat. These youths do not bother giving a second thought before they aimed their guns at Kuki men and their lust at Kuki women.

This is why a professor from a prestigious Indian university could justify the beheading of David Thiek on national television without much outrage. The same professor remained indifferent when reports emerged of Kuki women being humiliated and assaulted. The Meiteis were content when armed by their Chief Minister.

However, for reasons known only to him, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh arrested five individuals he had previously armed on September 16, 2023. These individuals, once praised by the CM, now turned against him forcing the Meira Paibis to call for a 48-hour statewide (read 700 Sq. Miles) shutdown. Meitei media tried to divert attention by claiming "Kuki militants attacked Meiteis," but even the Meitei populace no longer believed such fabrications from their media outlets. Meira Paibis gathered in large numbers to confront security forces, feeling betrayed by their government. As Manipur citizens, they expected support and solidarity from the government, but the mere arrest of five individuals (one of whom was a terrorist and four were drug abusers) drove them to protest against the government day and night. In a bizarre turn of event the Court gave the five terrorist bail upon furnishing a PR bond of Rs.50,000 and additional stipulations. The court cited that the investigating officer (I.O) failed to present a compelling case against the accused concerning charges of terrorism and activities under section 16 UAP Act. These are evidence that governmental institutions and the judiciary have been compromised. If the vanguard of democracy i.e the Judiciary fails to punish perpetrators of violence, then Manipur is already a fail state.

In light of these disturbing events, it's imperative for the Meitei community, the Union government and fellow Indians to take a hard look at the situation. Consider, for a moment, the plight of the Kukis—abandoned by their own government, subjected to brutal violence orchestrated by groups like Arambai Tenggol and Meetei Leepun, enduring untold suffering, and denied their basic rights. This should prompt all right-thinking Meiteis and fellow citizens alike to seriously contemplate the stark reality faced by their Kuki counterparts. It's time to move beyond the notion of a harmonious future and seriously consider the path of political separation, a complete divorce from the state of Manipur and a peaceful co-existence as neighbours.