The Manipur state faced the brunt of ethnic clashes when a peace rally in Churachandpur went violent on May 3 where Meitei’s houses and people were attacked and in reaction to that Imphal Valley erupted into flames with mobs ransacking and attacking people from a particular community. These reactions and incidents that followed were never witnessed in Manipur even though it has faced insurgency related violence for decades.

Now that the political atmosphere has taken a point of no return with 10 Kuki MLAs demanding a separation from the state or some separate administrative arrangements whereas the state’s other communities the Meiteis and Nagas vehemently disagree with any division of the state, the state is in a political dilemma and is almost in a state of being held hostage by violence and displacement of people as well as political uncertainty.

The people are very much in a state of confusion, worried about its future and the uncertainty it foresees. The Prime Minister has not spoken a word yet which has greatly hurt the sentiments of the people, Amit Shah’s visits were hopeful but he had only given an assurance of making things normal though he blamed the issue on the high court order of ST status for Meiteis which was a hurried decision according to Shah and that is the Centre’s opinion.

This has not helped really much which has given the impression to the people that the Centre is not serious or is in denial about the most contentious issue of illegal migration of people leading to demand for curving out land for displaced people from out of the state and country.   

The state has a democratically elected government and the government should dispel any fear or confusion of people through regular communication and dialogue. The Biren Singh Government has gone into mute mode. The Chief Minister is not at all communicating which is not a good sign.

He should speak to his people. The ruling party has a well-established party functionary. The President of the party should speak to the people. The party workers should be assured of strong local leadership and not dependent on Central party leaders only. 

There is a very urgent need for the state leaders to win back the confidence of the people and that should happen very quickly and at a regular interval making the restive people of Manipur assured about the government roadmap and goalposts. People need assurance as well as actions. If the government does not communicate the trust of the people will be lost and will be very difficult to retain back.

It is not the time to stay quiet but to showcase statesmanship by all, the government, the intelligentsia, the social organisations as well as bureaucracy  The solution to the problem is not military actions but a political one and for that we need the political establishments to stay awake and active…