Avoiding public wrath
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: September 05, 2024 -

WITH the armed Kuki-Chin militants starting to use high-tech drones in carrying out aerial bombings on civilian populations and security forces since September 1; there is no doubt about the ethnic conflict between the Meetei and Kuki-Chin communities in Manipur since May 3 last year, taking an altogether different dimension today.

In view of this "significant escalation" in the aggression of armed Kuki-Chin militants and its far-reaching implications not only in the internal security and stability of not just Manipur but also of India, the state government in Manipur had promptly constituted a high-level committee to look into the new threat and sought assistance from experts in understanding the types of drones used by the Kuki-Chin militants in carrying out attacks so that necessary counter measures could be developed and put in place.

Even though all these efforts of the state government are appreciable, the same may come to naught if the central government continues to remain inexplicably hesitant from taking action against the Kuki-Chin militants who are bound by the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement.

The government of Manipur had already announced its decision to officially withdraw from the tripartite agreement with at least a couple of the militant groups and called for reviewing or abrogation of the agreement with the remaining groups as the direct involvement of these armed groups under the SoO pact in the ongoing ethnic conflict has been established beyond an iota of doubt.

But the central government in New Delhi is yet to act and do its part. This inaction of the central government seems to have only emboldened the armed Kuki-Chin militants to intensify their aggression in Manipur as the first step towards realising their ultimate dream of creating 'Zale'ngam', a proposed nation for Kuki-Chin people by carving out territories from India, Myanmar and Bangladesh.

As the conflict between the Meetei and Kuki-Chin communities has entered its 17th month without any sign of slowdown, anger of the suffering people is also becoming palpable more than ever before.

It is in this light that leaders of Taragi Cheisu, one of the prominent citizens' groups of the Meetei/Meitei community, had asked the BJP-led governments both in the state and at the centre to take strong action against the Kuki-Chin militants before the simmering anger of the people explodes.

As the leaders of Taragi Cheisu had pointed out during a press conference held at its Khurai Ahongei office on Tuesday, the Government of India should not remain silent even after the Kuki-Chin militants have started bombarding civilian populations and security forces by using high-tech drones and despite knowing very well that the violence in Manipur is a result of aggression launched by these militants with an eye on breaking apart Manipur with support from external forces.

Moreover, considering seriousness of the emerging situation, the BJP government in Manipur is expected to take a concrete decision as per pulse of the people by either convening a special session of the state assembly or an all-party meeting so as to place the same to the Centre in no uncertain terms.

When the simmering anger of the suffering people could explode at any time and the prevailing situation is almost like civil war, it's no time for the BJP government in Manipur to hold on to the political correctness of waiting directives from the party's central leadership.

Most importantly, it is time for all the leaders in the ruling BJP in the state not to act with an air of authority individually but to come together and demonstrate to the party's central leadership in New Delhi that an elected government still exists in Manipur, howsoever strife-torn it may be.

This is one surest means to avoid the wrath of suffering people befallen upon them.