Challenges before the Governor of Manipur after imposition of PR

Oinam Nabakishore Singh *

Ajay Kumar Bhalla on January 03 2025 :: Pix - Chronicle News Service / DIPR

On the proclamation of President’s Rule on the 13th February, 2025, the mantle of administering the troubled State of Manipur formally was transferred to Shri Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Governor of the State. Many writers and commentators describe the situation in the State, which has been in the so-called ethnic conflict for over twenty-one months, as a complete mess.

Such a situation of mess and disorder was allowed to persist so long by deliberate inaction and apathy by both the Union and State Governments. It appeared that the leadership of the State in the person of Shri N Biren Singh, former Chief Minister, was incapacitated by acts of bypassing him in important decisions related to the administration of law and order in the state.

Such conclusions are supported by matters of appointment of Security Advisor, Chief Secretary or Director General of Police, key positions in decision- making on law and order. Further, removal of the power of Chairman of Unified Command from the Chief Minister and entrusting it to the Security Advisor on the tacit advice of the Union Government proves beyond doubt that the Chief Minister is outside the loop of the exercise of maintenance of law and order.

Shri N Biren Singh, while being Chief Minister, went to Raj Bhawan in a delegation comprising of his Ministers and supporting MLAs to plead with the Governor to restore the position of Chairmanship of Unified Command to him.

Such display of helplessness on his part in the public eye, which may be attributable to the decisions of the Union Government, might be intended to draw public sympathy. In other words, he would like to simply convey that he was not allowed to do his job by the Central leaders, and hence credit or discredit for the state of affairs in the State should squarely be given to them.

The job of the Governor requires a delicate balance between the needs of the State of Manipur and the Union Government. Putting the house in order is the first and foremost priority for him. Curbing rampant extortion from all sections of the society in the name of proscribed organizations or fake ones caught the attention of the Governor. Establishment of an anti-Extortion Cell at the State level is a good step.

More commendable is the arrest of a few people, who are alleged to be indulging in extortion from the general public. Such measures would have, at least temporarily, dampen the network of extortionists. In fact, the life of many people, especially those doing small business, have been put to great distress when hand grenades are lobbed in their premises on failure to pay extortion amounts.

It may be worthwhile to recall that Manipur witnessed widespread extortion from Govt officials, business and anybody who appeared to be slightly well-off, till about 2005-06. A sustained effort by the security apparatus is required if a sustainable solution to extortion is sought to be achieved.

The call of the Governor to all youths in hills and valleys to surrender all illegal arms to the Police stations within seven days from the 20th February, 2025 with the promise of not taking any punitive action is a positive measure towards disarmament of both warring groups. While many would see such step as essential for restoration of peace in Manipur, many others will take it as dis-empowerment in the midst of conflict.

One should read the mind of people on the frontlines–both village volunteers and villagers living in the periphery. Even though Central security forces are present in the so-called buffer zones to prevent attack on either side by the opposite group, the past events where Kuki-Zo militants clandestinely sneaked past them and killed nine Meitei farmers at Wangoo Sabal, Ningthoukhong Kha Khunou and Saiton in Bishenpur District would make them feel insecure without village volunteers guarding them.

While the same may be said about villages in the hills, the hilly terrain makes it a bit more difficult to cross the buffer zone and attack villagers there. To that extent, the sense of security should be slightly on the higher side among the hill dwellers.

The initiative to get the illegal weapons surrendered, which is sweetened with carrots of not taking punitive action for illegal possession of arms under the Arms Act, is laudable, one may like such measures to be sprinkled with democratic and consultative processes.

Since most of the armed groups in the Kuki-Zo communities are members of those who have signed Suspension of Operation, it would be desirable that a dialogue is held with their leaders to get their arms deposited with the State armouries during the peace process. It is likely that such arrangement is not a part of the terms of SoO agreement.

It is necessary for the Union Government to revisit the terms of the SoO agreement in the interest of restoring peace and normalcy in the State. Earlier arrangement of keeping weapons under lock and key at each designated camp has not worked as it is evident that Kuki-Zo militants have been blatantly using such weapons to fight with Meitei armed groups.

Unless, such arrangement is made by the Governor first, it would appear that Meitei village volunteers and villagers feel that they are at a disadvantage against the possible attacks by the Kuki Zo militants, as the Central security forces cannot guarantee foolproof security against such attacks.

Otherwise, Governor may examine if the weapons in the custody of armed Kuki militants can be classified as illegal weapons and as such liable to be deposited with Police Stations. It is necessary for the Governor and his aides to make some course correction along the way if the desired goal of demilitarization of the hills and valleys is to be achieved.

The steps of disarming by the security forces should be taken up simultaneously in both hills and valleys in order to avoid the possible criticism of bias. Taking the civil society organizations into confidence while such steps are initiated may help in getting over the obstacle of ladies coming in the way.

Communicating the objective of restoration of peace as the prime objective of disarmament must constantly be conveyed not only through press handouts, but also through press conference when queries from the media may be answered immediately. Non-transparency and secrecy would leave doubts about the well- intentioned steps being initiated by the Governor.

Last few days have witnessed a lot of protests by Imas (womenfolk) in Bazars across the valley. Normal business has been turned upside down. involving Deputy Commissioners and Sub-Divisional Officers to convince the intent and neutrality of the actions initiated will help restoring confidence in the Government.

While disarmament is the first step, there are many more steps to be covered by the Governor. It is better to prepare a blue-print with a time-line to bring normalcy back to the embattled State. With a nod from the Union Government to such blue-print, it would be necessary to mobilize important manpower like Advisors to help the Governor to traverse the course outlined in the blue-print.

Considering the difficulties and complexities of the issues involved, the involvement of Union Govt in the initiation of dialogue to resolve the long-standing demands of both communities will be necessary.

Lastly, it is apparent that there is some ownership of the responsibility of State administration, which was missing for the last twenty-one months. Cooperation from all sections of the society to the Government machinery is the need of the hour if all of us want the Governor to achieve the goal of restoring normalcy in the State.