Utter disregard of public sentiment
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: May 23, 2025 -

THE widespread condemnation over halting a Manipur State Transport (MST) bus carrying journalists en-route to covering the inauguration programme of the 5th State Level Shirui Lily Festival by personnel of Indian army's Mahar Regiment and insisting on concealing the word 'Manipur' on the bus is on expected lines as there has been strong dissatisfaction over the attitude and conduct of central forces since outbreak of the Kuki-Meetei conflict in May 2023.

For instance, exercising maximum restraint, in-spite of a group of heavily armed Kuki men waylaying a team of central force near Moreh town in Tengnoupal district and troops of another unit of the same para-military force barricading the Sugnu police station in Kakching district when the conflict was at its peak remain standing testimonies about complicity of the central forces, among other similar acts of complicity.

Thus, there is every reason to suspect that the Gwaltabi incident of obstructing the journey of the Ukhrul district-bound media team could be part of the covert agenda to create divisions in the state on ethnic lines rather than aiding efforts of the central government, if any, to stabilise the situation.

As the obstruction was preceded by a threat issued by the Kuki-Zo Village Volunteers (KZVV), asking the Meetei people not to enter or pass through the Kuki villages situated along the Imphal-Ukhrul road, the Mahar Regiment's insistence on concealing 'Manipur' on the bus tantamount to endorsement of the KZVV's threat rather than the central force unit complying with directive of the government of Manipur, currently under the President's Rule to ensure disturbance-free movement for the festival, and effectively tackling disruptive elements.

Such unwarranted act by the army personnel, amid euphoria across in country over the Indian military's prowess aftermath Operation Sindoor, has now snowballed into a major controversy with posers being raised on sincerity and integrity of all the central armed forces, with speculations also rife about the bureaucrats working under duress.

Political figures, cutting across party line, and civil society organisations are of the view that the army personnel's act and conduct is deliberate attempt to de-legitimise the authority and very existence of the state of Manipur within its own territory.

Now, observations are being shared without any inhibitions that the Mahar Regiment's actions are not only irresponsible but dangerously align with the agendas of illegal elements scheming to destabilise the region over the past two years.

Even though an enquiry commission has been constituted to probe the reason for denying permission to the media team to travel beyond the Gwaltabi checkpoint in Imphal East district, it is unlikely that any punitive action would be initiated against personnel of the central force for the simple reason that boosting the morale of the armed forces has been core policy of the government.

Nevertheless, authorities concerned owe an explanation to the public on whether asking the journalists to conceal the word 'Manipur' printed on their bus was a unilateral decision of the army unit or the personnel were following orders from the President's Rule administration.

Moreover, the directive to cover up 'Manipur' is akin to the central forces conceding their inability to sanitise the Imphal-Ukhrul road, ensure security to the festival goers and outright disregard of the public sentiment.

Thus, it is obvious that act of the army unit would be construed as gross violation of the state's dignity and administrative authority.