Onus on centre to counter indefinite shutdown
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: March 11, 2025 -

WHEN bandhs and highway blockades were enforced by various organisations in protest against specific policies of the state government there seems to be some sort of legitimacy as such agitations were considered necessary to air grievances of the public and make the policy makers accord importance in addressing outstanding issues.

However, the on-going indefinite shutdown called by the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) in Kuki-Zo areas, with the primary objective to cut off the supply routes to the state's capital, seems illogical and irrational as imposition of the President's Rule means shift of administrative responsibilities from the democratically elected people's representatives to the central government and implemented through the Governor.

In case the shutdown agitation was launched when the state's affairs were handled from Imphal, then the stand of the KZC would be considered fairly reasonable as Kuki civil organisations had been branding the erstwhile BJP-led coalition headed by chief minister N Biren as Meetei-centric and anti-tribal, especially after the Kuki-Meetei violence broke out in May 2023.

Interestingly, their favourite 'Pu' N Biren, who used to be held in high esteem and received with overwhelming hospitality whenever he visited Kuki settlements, including at far-flung villages to attend official programmes or cultural events, is now, ironically, cursed and demonised by almost the Kuki organisations.

However, having tendered resignation as the chief minister in the backdrop of demand for his replacement from the hot seat by different Kuki civil organisations and public figures, imposition of the indefinite shutdown when neither the former chief minister nor his council of ministers had anything to do with Saturday's violence in Kuki areas sounds quixotic.

Moreover, as there were no significant involvement of the state police, which, too, faced criticism of harbouring ill-will against the Kuki community, there is every reason to believe that the shutdown is aimed at crippling normal life and triggering economic crisis in the state, the valley districts in particular, so as to compel the central government act in favour of the Kuki-Zo people.

Nevertheless, as mentioned earlier in this column resorting to any movement with the ulterior motive to disrupt movement and goods and people would have the same impact on the neutral communities as much as the Meeteis.

As such, withdrawal of the indefinite shutdown is essential to avoid escalation of tension between the Kuki-Zo people and the neutral communities failing which the crisis will only aggravate.

That the shutdown call is causing annoyance to the neutral communities could also be comprehended from the Rongmei Naga Council Manipur (RNCM) expressing deep concern over the indefinite shutdown imposed on National Highway 37 by the Kuki Students' Organisation, Jiribam & Tamenglong (KSO J&T) from midnight of March 8.

In the past, too, instances of Kuki bodies enforcing blockade on the two lifelines had evoked sharp reactions and reprimands from influential organisations owning allegiance to the neutral Naga communities, who even resorted to counter-blockade movements in Senapati district.

Therefore, the ministry of home affairs need to put in place fool-proof preventives measures before the situation gets out of hand and Manipur plunges into full-scale conflict.

Taking into account that the indefinite shutdown is being enforced amid the centre's initiative to restore normalcy in the state and facilitate free movement along the national highways, onus is definitely on the home ministry to ensure materialisation of the same.