Compassion, empathy, and mutual respect can restore peace.
Hatred can destroy integrity.

L B Singh *

The CSOs and various organizations, including national political parties, demand that the Central and State Governments restore peace and normalcy in Manipur and return the Internally Displaced People (IDPs) to their respective places. However, the actual situation on the ground is that no innocent Kuki and Meitei can venture to the central valley and the adjoining hill areas, respectively, without risking their lives.

Ironically, the threats to life are not only from the militants or radicals but also from a sizable number of the ordinary Meitei/Kuki populations who have lost their sense of judgement after 03 May 2023 due to shock and anger.

In the last fourteen months, various aspects of the crisis, like illegal migrants, foreign and militants under SoO, narco-terrorists, the ongoing conflict in Myanmar, geo-political considerations, USA and China’s interest in the region, etc., have been discussed in print and electronic media.

However, few people are working to remove misunderstandings and mistrust and promote compassion and empathy between the two ethnic groups. On the other hand, the State and Central Governments have not initiated deterrent measures against the people or organizations spreading hatred.

The Supreme Court-appointed committee headed by former Chief Justice Gita Mittal expressed their apprehensions that some elements are interested in maintaining tension between the communities and preventing the restoration of peace and harmony in the State (TOI 28 Nov 23).

The recent attack in the Jiribam District and sporadic attacks at Meitei villages at the foothills clearly show the intentions of the Kuki-Zo militants and the vested interest to keep the ethnic cauldron boiling. The longer the crisis continues, the more misery people will suffer. With the increasing number of casualties, the wound will become more profound, and reconciliation will become increasingly difficult.

The ethnic population transfer of the Naga and the Kuki to their respective dominated areas was achieved to a large extent during the Naga-Kuki conflict in 1992-94. The objectives of the Kuki militants during the present crisis are to physically (geographically) and emotionally divide the Meitei and Kuki populations, escalate animosity between them, and project to the world that they are oppressed by the Hindu majority Meiteis to justify and expedite their demand for separate administration. The objectives of the Meitei are to preserve Manipur’s integrity and protect indigenous peoples’ long-term interests.

Considering the above objectives and events in the last 14 months, it is now clear that some Kuki Chiefs, militants, and people with vested interest meticulously contrived the horrific attack on the lives and properties of Meiteis in Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, and Moreh on 03 May 23 so that violent retaliation would lead to animosity and hatred between Meitei and Kuki. The emotionally charged Meiteis lost their sense of judgement, fell into the trap of vested interest, and retaliated with violence against the innocent Kukis in the valley as envisaged by the vested interest.

The State Government failed to control mob violence and protect the lives and properties of innocent people for two days. The innocent Kuki took shelter in the Army or CRPF camps and were subsequently transported to Kuki-dominated areas. The Kuki militants achieved their long-cherished dream of physically dividing the two ethnic groups. The innocent ordinary Kukis in the valley were alienated and traumatized by the violent retaliatory action. Meiteis, who value the integrity of Manipur more than anything, inadvertently helped the Kuki militants to achieve their objectives.

Mr. PS Haokip, the president of the Kuki National Organization (KNO), which has eleven Kuki-Zo underground militant groups under the Suspension of Operation (SoO) with the Government, advocated for Zogam, a sovereign country for the Kuki-Zo people of North East India, North western Myanmar and the Chittagong Hill Tracks of Bangladesh. Some Kuki-Zo organizations/militants in Manipur, Mizoram, Myanmar, and Bangladesh are also working for the unification of their tribes in the three countries. Various sources have indicated the involvement of foreign militants in the present crisis.

The ongoing crisis has severely affected everyone in Manipur Naga, Kuki, Meitei, Meitei Panghal, and non-locals. The State has suffered in every aspect, and it will be challenging to recover from it in a decade after restoring normalcy. Therefore, the prominent leaders of Meitei and Kuki must engage in dialogue to end the violence. In addition, it is paramount to remove the misunderstanding and animosity between the ordinary Meitei and Kuki, regain their sense of judgment, and restore mutual respect.

Since every Meitei values the integrity of Manipur more than anything in the world, they should treat every tribe of Manipur with mutual respect. It would be incorrect to use the term narco-terrorist, illegal migrants, or militants for all the Kukis. The majority of the Kukis in Manipur are innocent and are not illegal migrants, and the ordinary Kukis will be deeply hurt if we don’t treat them with mutual respect.

The church played a significant role in the peace process of the Naga-Kuki conflict in 1992-94. However, the peace and the reconciliation process would be much more challenging in the present crisis as some Kuki militants aspiring for Kukiland, Zalengam, or Zogam would make all-out efforts to prevent the return of peace and normalcy. The church leaders will require unwavering determination to promote peace and forgiveness between the two communities against the wishes of the Kuki militants.

Late Maharaja Kumar Priya Brata Singh, former Chief Minister of Manipur, was highly respected by the Nagas and the Kukis of Manipur. Under his leadership, Meitei Ex-servicemen visited Naga and Kuki villages to restore peace during the Naga-Kuki conflict. Naga social activist Ahang Kasar, convenor of the Form for Restoration of Peace (FRRP), has suggested a committee to mediate between the Meiteis and Kukis. Other prominent Naga leaders, Alfred Kanngam S. Arthur, S kho John, Allyson Abonmai, etc., and the Naga Ex-servicemen are also expected to actively work for the restoration of peace.

Since the objectives of the Kuki militants and the people of vested interests are to escalate the animosity between the two ethnic groups, they can easily achieve it simply by attacking the Meitei villages at the foothill or uploading disturbing images of some gruesome crimes against the Meiteis, etc. However, similar actions by the Meiteis would have an undesirable impact on the minds of the ordinary innocent Kukis and, in turn, help the Kuki militants to achieve their objectives.

The blockade of essential items on the National Highways by the Kukis increases the misery of the people, including Nagas, and tension increases between the ethnic groups. When Meiteis carry out a counter-blockade to prevent the supply of essential items to the Kuki-dominated areas, the poorest section of innocent Kukis suffer the most.

When their children could not get adequate food and medicine, they would become furious against the Meiteis. In both cases, it ended up helping the Kuki militants to achieve their objective of increasing animosity between the two ethnic groups.

When the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) declared that the “Meiteis are our warring enemies” (TSE 07 July 23), the tension increased and worked in favour of their objectives. However, when some insensitive and naïve Meiteis displayed “Eliminate Kukis from Manipur” placards during a procession, it worked against Meitei’s objective. Therefore, the task of the Meitei is much more complex than that of Kuki militants, who are contriving to disintegrate the State. The Meiteis have to be extremely careful in their actions and words.

The design of the Kuki militants and the vested interests to disintegrate Manipur can be defeated if the Meiteis are successful in arranging the return of the innocent Kukis IDPs to the valley. It is encouraging to learn from the MHRC chief that IDPs at Kangpokpi relief camp have expressed their desire to return to their homes in Imphal. However, the Kuki militants and vested interests will pressure these people to prevent their return to Imphal.

The Kuki IDPs will feel it safe to return to Imphal only if all sections of the Meiteis society, and the State Government assured their safety in Imphal. The local MLAs, political leaders, CSOs, and local clubs should play active roles in spreading the awareness that the ordinary Kukis are innocent and promoting compassion, empathy, and mutual respect between the ethnic communities.

Only some Kuki Chiefs, militants, and vested interests are responsible for the present crisis. They want to create a permanent division between Meiteis and Kukis to disintegrate Manipur. They are exploiting the ordinary Kukis and would try to prevent their return to Imphal. It would not be correct for the Meiteis to take out their anger on the innocent Kukis for the heinous crimes committed by the Kuki militants and vested interests.

The Meitei IDPs would be safe to return to their respective places in the Kuki-dominated areas only after restoring peace and normalcy. Love, compassion, empathy, and mutual respect can bring peace. In contrast, hatred can destroy the integrity of the State. Peaceful coexistence of all ethnic communities is the only way to ensure the prosperity of our future generations in Manipur.