Inoculation for regional destabilization: Ethnic violence in Manipur

Haorokcham Anil *

It was breaking news and headline article for all media publications and news channels in the world. I am referring to the violent unrest that took place in Bangladesh, especially in Dhaka some months back that led to the resignation of the then Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina who fled to India on 5th August, 2024. She escaped the fate of her father, Sheikh Majibur Rahman, founder of the country by a hair’s breadth.

It is a sigh of relief for the people of Bangladesh as the chaos ended and the country is led by Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel laureate for the Interim Government from 8th August, 2024-till date. However, it is shocking to learn the statements of Sheikh Hasina as she was questioned to surrender the sovereignty of Saint Martin Island located at the Bay of Bengal to set up an Air Base.

Even more shocking is to learn “White Man’s Plot” (details not disclosed) to carve out a new Christian Nation like East Timor. The Nation will comprise parts of Bangladesh (Chattogram) and Chin State of Myanmar, as alleged.

The intent for the inclusion of Chattogram (Chittagong) region might be for the provision of accessibility to the Indian Ocean not on religious ground as it is endorsed by the fact that the region has only 0.11% of Christian populace while Islam constitutes 83.92%. This forethought prevents the proposed Christian country from being “Land Lock”, creating a new place of importance strategically and geopolitically in the region.

It has been reported in media that the statement are allegations of Hasina–US official, as they have no desire about the Island. For now, the truth is the only victim in between the two opposite versions. However, the truth is, the region is the focal point and interest of “Geo-Strategic importance” for countries like India, China and the US owing to the geopolitical developments in South East Asia.

Carving out or creation of new Nations is not new owing to the geostrategic advantages and the opportunities provided by the religious ground. Mention may be made as how Panama was carved out as a new country from Colombia with the support of the US at the Panamanian revolt in the year 1903.

It is known to everyone that support from the US was only for the dug up of Panama Canal that facilitates the US an enormous advantage by immense shortening of the trade route between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans although other insignificant reasons are also cited.

Independence of East Timor from Indonesia in 2002 may be brought within the frame as it was considered primarily on religious ground as majority of the Timorese are Catholic Christians and the Indonesians are predominantly Muslim.

Considering the above dynamics, we may look from the lens of analogy between the case of East Timor and the issues as expressed by the then Bangladeshi Prime Minister. Should we consider the statements of the head of a sovereign Nation in this regard a blatant lie ? For whatever reasons it might be, we need to connect the dots and construct all possible scenario from what is happening in and around the region.

* The statements from MPs of the European Union on the ethnic violence which erupted in Manipur from 3rd May, 2023 was projected falsely on religious lines. This narrative projected the Meiteis as a draconian, majority Hindu community committing atrocities against the minority Christian Kuki community, which is a blatant lie. It was an attempt to make an international issue based on religious line.

* Call for support and intervention of Israel by the Kuki Community of Manipur and threatening the Government of India to form a Kuki country if they hesitate to form a separate Kuki State under Article 3 of Indian Constitution which is not possible owing to the history of Manipur which existed for more than 2000 years and the distinct boundary when it merged with the Union of India in the year 1949. The proposed country will consist parts of Chittagong Hill Tract (Bangladesh), Chin State of Myanmar, Mizoram (India) and self-named Kuki Hills of Manipur, all Christian dominated areas.

* Proposal for the submission of memorandum to United Nation (UN) by the ZORO (Zo Reunification Organisation), an Aizawl based organisation to unite all Chin-Kuki-Mizo inhabited areas of Bangladesh, Myanmar and India which includes Indian State of Tripura, Assam and Manipur.

* “ ... While a country may have borders, a true Nation transcends such limitations. We have been unjustly divided, forced to exist under three different Governments in three different countries, and this is something we can never accept”. An extract of the speech of the CM, Mizoram in the US on 4th September, 2024 published by the Government of Mizoram in its official website which clearly suggest the idea and process of forming a new Christian country.

Considering the above and the series of events that have taken place in the region especially in Manipur, post unrest in Myanmar and in the Indian State of Manipur. Are we wrong to say that all these are an orchestration of a greater force of western origin with a vested interest ?

The topmost priority for this vested interest being the installation of a Christian country within the countries dominated by Hindus, Muslims and Buddhists for geopolitical advantages to western powers especially the US to check, counter balance and to contain the sphere of influence for both fast-growing Nations of in the world, China and India in terms of economy and military perspectives by taking advantages out of geography and religion.

Someone might say Mizo-Kuki-Chin people are “Swimming with the Tide” but I would suggest they are “Opportunistic Bacteria” waiting constantly for an appropriate weakening of immunity of the host to get a chance to infect.