Why is it in the news?

• The high-level security meeting on Manipur, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on June 17, 2024, was notably marked by the absence of Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh.
• This gathering highlighted the Centre’s approach to managing the ongoing ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo tribes in Manipur. Despite a year passing since the commencement of the violence, there are no indications of peace.
• These events seem to confirm suspicions of an unofficial imposition of President’s Rule in the state, effectively keeping the Manipur government in a state of virtual suspension.

More about the news

• The meeting, following a prior discussion between Amit Shah and Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey, sparked speculation about the potential invocation of Article 365 to enforce President’s Rule in the state. However, these assumptions were premature as the meeting focused on devising strategies to mitigate the violence and pave the way for dialogue between the conflicting communities.
• Concerns arose about the authority of the State government shortly after the outbreak of ethnic violence. Though rumours of invoking Article 355 to transfer law-and-order responsibilities to the Centre circulated, this was officially denied. Nevertheless, subsequent security operations indicated a marginalization of the State government. For instance, Manipur Chief Minister Mr. Biren Singh was removed from heading the unified command of security forces in the State by the Governor on May 31, 2023. His ability to convene meetings was the only authority preserved.
• Despite these developments, the Central government’s influence over the state administration was evident, characterized by Mr. Shah’s statement hinting at cooperation between the state Chief minister and the Centre. Efforts to establish buffer zones and assign security responsibilities further exacerbated tensions between communities in Manipur, complicating the resolution of the conflict.

The Ground Situation

• Despite the notion that peace is more than just the absence of violence being overlooked, recent events in Manipur have shown that without addressing underlying issues, a small spark can lead to significant conflict.
• Currently, with around 70,000 central and State forces in Manipur, the approach seems to be more about managing tensions rather than resolving them, even with the shadow of President’s Rule looming over the region.
• There is a hesitance to take decisive action on both sides, possibly due to political considerations such as upcoming elections, despite public dissatisfaction becoming evident through recent electoral outcomes.
• Drawing parallels from history, like in the case of US-led NATO intervention in Bosnia in the ’90s, it highlights the consequences of delayed action in resolving conflicts, emphasizing the need to address root causes promptly.
• The confirmed death toll in Manipur’s conflict stands at 225, with casualties from various ethnic groups, showcasing a grim picture of ongoing violence and displacement in the region.
• As ethnic cleansing unfolds on both sides, distinguishing victims from perpetrators becomes increasingly challenging, blurring traditional lines of distinction in the conflict.
• Amidst the loss of lives and properties, the challenge remains to help those affected cope with their trauma and losses, fostering empathy and understanding across adversarial groups to pave the way for healing and reconciliation.