Stop Politicizing Manipur Violence

After more than five months, the violence in Manipur has taken a different trajectory. The changing dimension of the violence has not only become a cause of concern, but reeked the uneasy question of Centre’s sincerity in bringing a solution to it. Of late, the violence has assumed more political colour than it first started. Will this bring a solution is worth a million dollar question answerable by the Centre alone. 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, while speaking about Manipur clashes in Lok Sabha in early August accused the Congress of politicising the Manipur violence and also said that Manipur violence is shameful, politicising it is even more shameful. He was dissuading the Opposition members from ‘politicising’ the violence in Manipur.

As things unfolded, the violence is given more political character of late, and unfortunately, it is only going to be an ingredient to perpetuate the violence than a conduit for a solution. Since the violence broke out, the two warring parties presented their own narratives and made submissions to the Union Government pushing their own versions.

Framing of ‘Myanmar’ (and migrants from that country) in the current Manipur ethnic crisis and ‘abrogation’ of Suspension of Operation (SoO) pact with Kuki militants under the umbrella of KNO and UPF are few of the principal agendas flagged by N Biren Singh and the Meiteis way before May 3. Biren even told the press in March this year that the State government, which is a party to the tripartite peace agreements, had decided to withdraw from SoO pacts after a rally to protest alleged anti-tribal policies of the Biren led State government in Kuki-Zo dominated districts was held. Till date, Biren Singh has been holding this grudge against the SoO pacts and peddled misinformation about the groups and made vigorous efforts to poison the ears of the Central leaderships.

 Even during the course of the ethnic cleansing campaign against the Kuki-Zo people since May 3, various Meitei civil society organisations, elected representatives and narcissistic individuals continue endorsing the narratives and rhetoric of N Biren Singh and attributed all blames on the Kuki militant groups under peace talks for the violence. Besides alleging their collusion with outside elements, the SoO groups have been blamed for perpetuating the crisis. The Central leaderships, particularly the Union Home Minister Amit Shah might receive enough representations about issues of SoO groups and ‘illegal immigrants.’

On the other hand, the Kuki groups have been grumbling about the suppression, oppression and subjugation of the Kuki-Zo tribal groups by successive Meitei dominated Manipur governments down the decades. They said that they have been at the receiving end of Meitei majoritarian agenda in all aspects such as politics, economy, administration, education, social life, etc and they are enduring institutionalised negligence and injustice. The Meiteis even carried out a systematic pogrom against the Kuki-Zo people with the sole intention to dispossess them of their land and annihilate them. Towards achieving this goal, the Meiteis are roping in their secessionist Valley Based Underground/Insurgent Groups (VBUG/VBIGs) who otherwise are based in Myanmar. The Kuki-Zo people are seen by the Meiteis as a deterrent to the dream of sovereign Manipur or Kangleipak, which is also antithesis to the idea of India and a threat to National security and integrity of India. As such their enmity or hatred to the Kuki-Zo people is demonstrated by the Meiteis in the extreme forms and they (Kuki-Zo group) are seeking permanent separation from the Meiteis.

In short, the Meiteis are propagating and endorsing the idea of an independent country called Kangleipak by seceding from Indian Union while the Kuki-Zo people are demanding total separation from Meiteis within the framework of the Constitution of India.  N Biren Singh and well-oiled Meitei propagandists today not only managed to mislead the Centre but succeeded in projecting the Kuki-Zo for the anti-India activities and ideology persuaded by the Meiteis.

This overturn was inconceivable had it not been just for POLITICAL consideration. Although Union Home Minister Amit Shah urged the Opposition not to politicise the violence in August, the violence is now seen otherwise. The arrest of several Kuki-Zo individuals by sleuths of NIA and CBI, and the probe on Kuki-Zomi UG groups by NIA are glaring example that the current violence’s trajectory is shifting.

Close on the heels of arresting several Kuki-Zo individuals by the NIA and CBI, the MHA has ordered NIA probe on three Kuki UG groups including two which are under SoO. This speaks louder than what is said. Killings of hundreds of Kuki-Zo people in Imphal valley, looting and vandalising of properties, cases of about 6000 arms loot, involvement of VBIGs in attacks on Kuki-Zo villages, attack and disturbances on movement of security forces by Meitei forces are neglected. On the other hand, NIA/CBI has zeroed in on cases including a bomb blast, and death of two persons who crossed into hostile territory. Ironically, the groups who protested with chants such as ‘Go Back Assam Rifles’ (Indian security forces) were condoned.

MHA is also reported to have told the NIA that three Kuki/Zomi armed groups are getting support from Myanmar based PDF, which is fighting military junta in Myanmar. MHA is also however aware that the VBIGs and Myanmar military junta are working hand in glove. And now the VBIGs who are hell bent to destabilise India are leading the Meitei forces in the attacks against the Kuki-Zo people and Indian security forces taking advantage of the current crisis. Perhaps it is not worth any consideration because there is no political mileage in doing so. It only entails that politics is above Nation’s interest. 

The line differentiating the ‘pro’ and ‘anti’ India elements has become thinner and not discernible at least for now. It seems that what is most important now is to save the face of Biren Singh, who has lost all credibility even among the Meitei populace. This selective justice may sound politically correct, but it is adding salt to the wound of groups who belief in the idea of India as a nation. Even if peace is to be achieved through selective justice, the peace dividends would be reaped by only a certain political group. And sadly though, the idea of India as a Nation is certain to get lost somewhere in the clamour.

To end the current Manipur problem, honesty is needed and sincerity should be the mantra. No amount of politics would heal the wounds, it will only aggravate.