Time to expose leaders inciting commoners
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: March 10, 2025 -

THE acts of arson and violence by Kuki agitators in areas under Kangpokpi district on the first day of the free movement initiatives undertaken by the ministry of home affairs underscore that the central forces shall have to maintain strict vigil in Kuki-Zo populated areas along the national highways for fruition of the centre's plan.

However, while it is obvious that violent agitations would be met with commensurate reciprocal actions by the security forces to maintain law and order, the declaration for total shutdown in Kuki-Zo areas to denounce Saturday's crackdown on the agitators has the potential to evoke vehement outcries from the neutral communities for the simple reason that disruption caused to movement along the national highways would be construed hegemonic exercise.

Regardless of the neutral communities making it crystal clear that they would rather wait and watch till the government authorities find solution to the crisis, the call for total shutdown is primarily intended to blockading the national highways, which are vital fortravel and transportation of essential items to every nook and corner of the state, including in areas having substantial population of neutral communities.

With tension escalating whenever unwanted incidents happen, there is clear signs of the conflict situation starting to affect the neutral communities as could be comprehended from these communities apprising the central government authorities in the past to intervene and protect them from being dragged into the conflict or targeted by any of the two warring communities.

However, as ensuring deployment of security forces to all parts of the state is out of the context, the neutral communities are left with no option but to tolerate the hardships encountered.

On the other-hand, till Saturday, public movements launched to demand restoration of peace in the strife-torn state were mostly concentrated in the valley districts, often resulting in impromptu shutdown of markets and roads consequently leaving many stranded and frustrated.

The central Imphal valley, in particular witnessed numerous protests centring on demand for abrogation of the suspension of operation agreement signed with Kuki armed outfits, opposition to any attempt to balkanise Manipur on ethnic lines and alleged complicity of central forces, to name a few, forcing state and central forces to launch brutal crackdowns on the agitators with some suffering grievous injuries and others maimed for life.

In sharp contrast to general sentiment of the valley protestors, the demonstrations in the Kuki hills were in pursuance for separate administration; resignation of N Biren as the chief minister and imposition of the President's Rule in the state.

With two of the core demands fulfilled, and the central leaderships categorically dismissing the demand for separate administration, the centre must have been hoping that Kuki leaders and civil organisations would come to the negotiating table for ironing out the differences but to no avail even after nearly two months of the central rule.

Of late, the centre had taken some notable decisions and actions to resolve the crisis, contrary to which tension continues to grip the state with people from both the warring communities resorting to hate speeches through the various social media platforms, thereby implying that all efforts to pacify the people and bring the situation under absolute normalcy shall have to be followed by some tough actions at the ground level.

As suspension of internet service has been of little or no help in addressing the core problems and demands of either the Kuki or the Meetei people, it is obvious that along with disarming the communities in conflict emphasis shall have to be on identifying the so-called public figures who seem to have firm resolve to incite the commoners prolong the crisis.