Communal clash: Violence subsides, tension persists
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: May 15, 2023 -

HAD it not been for the rescue and protec-tive measures taken up by the security forces then the figure of casualties and injuries suffered by the civilian population from both communities caught in communal violence could be much higher than it stands now.

Presence of substantial number of secu-rity camps in the violence-hit districts is also another vital factor for rioters on both sides unable to cause much harm to the innocent people as could be comprehended from each security camp housing thousands of displaced civilians.

Taking into account that over 5o,000 have been displaced, more than 200 injured and close to 1700 houses burnt down during the violence in the state, there is every reason to credit the security forces for the comparatively low body count, even if there are still cases of some persons still missing.

As such, contrary to allegations from both parties in conflict that sluggishness on the part of the security forces aggravated the situation and compounded the people's miseries as well as aspersions cast on the men in uniform taking sides, the picture is getting clearer with each passing day that many a lives were saved from one of the gravest situations Manipur has faced till date.

Though there were few instances of security lapses in the first three days after outbreak of the communal clashes, ensuring full protection of houses targeted would have always been a difficult task for the law enforcement person-nel as the riots were not only widespread and simultaneous but the mobs were emotionally charged and in vengeful mood or mode.

Now, priority for the security forces should be to prevent further outbreak of violence in the state where people from different communities and religions live.

As civil society organisations and district administrations focus on feeding and sheltering the displaced people, security forces shall have to give emphasis towards preventing outbreak of fresh violence, acts of arson and attacks on the civilian population by armed or unarmed persons.

With security advisor to government of Manipur, Kuldiep Singh disclosing that cadres, arms and ammu-nition were found missing in some designated camps of outfits bound by the Suspension of Operation (So0) agreement, suspicion about involvement of the So() outfits in the violence could be construed as corroborated.

It is also worth noting that days after the mob violence subsided in all the riot-hit districts, gunfights between security forces and suspected So0 cadres continue.

Regardless of claims made that some of the shootout incidents were between so-called village protection force formed by Kuki villagers, the nature of injuries suffered by Assam Rifles and Manipur police personnel as well as bullet marks on vehicles of police involved in the recent encounter at Tera Khongsangbi village in Bishnupur district point to use of sophisticated weapons and not licensed firearms issued and regulated by the government.

Therefore, it is imperative that effective measures be initiated to check pro-liferation of firearms among the civilians and strictly implement ground rules of the agree-ment signed to cease hostility failing which there is strong possibility of the communities in conflict harbouring hatred against each other perennially and Manipur will continue to hog the limelight for the wrong reasons.