CSOs strike tough postures, IDPs continue to suffer
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: May 05, 2025 -

THE divergent views expressed by representatives and functionaries of Kuki and Meetei communities and civil society Organisations coupled with the resolutions adopted at the observance programmes of the second anniversary of the Kuki-Meetei conflict on Saturday imply that the union government, which is currently handling the affairs of the state, must take tough decisions and actions to resolve the crisis, as it is most unlikely that these so-called public figures and civil societies would endeavour to address hardships besieging thousands of displaced families languishing in relief camps or pre-fabricated temporary housing facilities, consequently compelling those directly affected by the violence comprehend that the centre is unmoved by their suffering.

For nearly two years after the violence broke out on May 3, 2023 after Kuki participants of a Tribal Solidarity March rally taken out on the same day accompanied by combat-dressed automatic weapon wielding persons attacked Meetei villages in the border areas of Churachandpur and Bishnupur districts, subsequently triggering retaliatory actions in imphal areas, the internally displaced persons hoped that the N Biren government would end the conflict and restore normalcy in the state.

However, amid consistent criticisms by the opposition Congress party as well as Kuki legislators and civil organisations, Biren stepped down as the chief minister of Manipur in February, 2025, forcing the central government to step in and take charge of the strife-torn state.

Unmistakably, imposition of the President's Rule raised hope among the IDPs that the centre would bring a solution to the unrest situation with cessation of violent confrontation between the two communities after the central government took over administration of the state further strengthening the belief that solution is in sight, but to no avail till date.

Absence of gunfights in the periphery villages might have enabled the centre to bring some CSOs advocating rights of both the two warring communities to the negotiating table to iron out their differences but the fiery speeches by the CSO functionaries and the adoption of sharply divergent resolutions, especially centring on the demand for separation administration and outright rejection of the same, underscore that the central leaders must intervene with a sense of urgency as it is now crystal clear that leaders of the two communities are in no mood to relent from their respective stance.

The central leaders cannot rest assured that the people would continue to relish absence of violent confrontation and prolonging of the President's Rule as the core demand of the masses is to see return of peace in the real sense.

In fact, cessation of violence in the state which has seen over 250 deaths, displacement of more than 60,000 people and complete destruction of settlements in the first few months of the conflict, is an opportunity for the centre to intensify the efforts for restoring peace instead of living under the impression that the violence-affected section of the population would convey gratitude to central government for ensuring two square meals a day, and announcing developmental work and projects.

As the centre must be well aware by now issues and elements averse to the idea of a peaceful and progressive Manipur, time has come to effectively tackle forces fomenting tension and posing threat to the civilians along with prioritising early resettlement of the IDPs taking shelter in different relief camps for over two years and continuing to stare at a similar uncertain future.