Turning a blind eye to the mayhem in Manipur

Birendra Laishram *

A significant portion of this territory, which is a part of the Indian Union, has been overtaken by foreign invaders right under the nose of the Indian armed forces. The occupants of this territory impose illegal taxes on anyone passing through and, alarmingly, those who refuse to comply face dire consequences, including kidnapping and even murder despite the presence of law enforcing machineries.

These invaders have even declared that individuals from certain communities are considered trespassers when they enter the occupied areas, putting them at risk of being killed without hesitation. Even the Chief Minister of the State has been barred from traversing these territories, being labelled a trespasser himself.

Furthermore, Government machinery is prohibited from entering these areas, which has allowed the occupants to cultivate narcotic plants, including poppy and marijuana and smuggling arms and ammunition through the unfenced porous border. They also engage in the destruction of forest products, and have been known to smuggle arms and drugs while torching the forest offices and destroying important records.

Despite the Armed Forces Special Power Act being in force in these regions, the Indian forces find themselves powerless, thwarted at gunpoint by the perpetrators who have forcibly made them retreat as in Moreh, where the Meitei and Naga communities were forcibly evacuated.

All of these claims are grounded in factual evidences, with ample documentation. For any Indian politician or non-politician who doubt this reality, a simple visit to the area, disguised as a passerby or laborer, would reveal the stark truth.

The Indian Government may or may not be aware of these distressing facts. Nevertheless, the ongoing situation has been consistently reported year after year, yet no effective measures have been implemented to reclaim and protect the territory. The inhabitants of these areas are not only politically marginalized but are also anthropologically distinct from people in the mainland regions of the country.

This territory was once a sovereign princely State before its annexation by the Indian Union in 1949, Consequently, there exists a significant emotional disconnect between those who were historically Indian and those annexed into the Indian fold. This lack of emotional connection might explain the Indian Government’s indifference towards these people and their plight.

The ongoing suffering of the displaced and oppressed population in Manipur continues to evoke apathy and neglect from the Indian Government, even as their cries for justice and recognition of their rights go largely unheard.

Bureaucrats remain ensnared in their convoluted administrative processes, seemingly indifferent to the suffering of those in distress. Local voices, which were once vibrant and full of life, now find themselves stifled under the oppressive atmosphere fostered by the invaders.

The people in the rest of the world think that the clash is between the Kuki Scheduled Tribe and the Meitei in general category but it is totally wrong notion. It is one between the Kukis and the Scheduled Caste Meiteis. The attacks which are continuing by the Kuki are only on the Scheduled Castes villages and these villages are helping in defending the Meiteis in the plains.

Every single day, countless families are confronted with the grim reality of armed men patrolling their streets, enforcing a tyrannical rule characterized by calculated brutality. The residents live their lives in an unending state fear, acutely aware that very existence hangs in balance, dictated by foreign powers who assert their dominion over the that was once filled with joy and familiarity.

This troubling environment has fostered a pervasive sense of hopelessness, as the people navigate the dual challenges of maintaining their unique cultural identity while striving for survival in a landscape rife with violence.

As reports of repression and violence stream in from various corners, the Indian media appears astonishingly oblivious to the urgent necessity for comprehensive coverage of this humanitarian crisis. Mean the political discourse the National level remains fixated on issues that largely ignore the appalling offering of these people, relegating their struggles to a forgotten chapter in the broader narrative of Indian unity and progress.

The continual neglect has provoked many to question their loyalty to Nation that, unfortunately, fuses to recognize their existence or plight.

Moreover, younger generations find themselves ensnared in a painful conflict between two diverging identities. They are tom between the rich heritage of their ancestors and the societal pressure to conform to an imposed National identity that often seems foreign to them.

This struggle creates a formidable challenge as they seek recognition and justice in a world that often overlooks their pain. Many among the youths have turned to social media platforms to articulate their frustrations, calling for solidarity and seeking international support to amplify their voices. However, the Prime Minister of India remain unconcerned even without a word of solidarity, at best, leaving these young advocates feeling even more isolated and unheard.

The Jewel of India, A little paradise on earth, the Switzerland of India . . . . once lush that sustained rich cultures and traditions has now become marred by violence and indifference. The region’s flora and fauna are being systematically exploited, leading to ecological degradation that threatens not just the local communities but holds ramifications for the entire Nation as well.

This degradation resonates deeply with the inhabitants, serving as a chilling reminder of their lost autonomy and the continual struggle they endure against overwhelming odds. Living amidst such turmoil, the aspirations for freedom and dignity are frequently overshadowed by the indifference of the Nation at large, crippling the hopes of those who dream of a better tomorrow.

The call for justice rings out through Manipur, pleading fervently for a day when the rights of the inhabitants will be respected, their voices will echo through the corridors of power, and their existence will finally be acknowledged.

Until that day arrives, the heavy shadows of oppression will continue to loom over the aspirations of these people, serving as a constant specter of what has been lost and a stark reminder of the enduring fight they continue to wage in pursuit of their rights and recognition.

The world must not turn a blind eye to their plight, and it is imperative that the narratives of the oppressed in Manipur be brought to light, ensuring that their struggles are not forgotten in the broader tapestry of India’s diverse story.

Please do not be blind to Article VIII of the Merger Agreement wherein the Government of India agreed to undertake to preserve various laws, customs and conventions prevailing in the State pertaining to the social, economic and religious life of the people.