Manipur inching towards solution

Free Thinker *

The Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah ji maintained in Rajya Sabha that - when he comes to take the permission of the ‘House’ regarding the imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur a detailed discussion will be there and he will listen to everyone and also give reply. He also shared with the ‘House’ that now peace is there in Manipur; and dialogue initiative with both the communities had begun.

He also expressed hope that through dialogues the distance between the two communities can be bridged in the near future. In fact, the Home Ministry representatives had separate talks with the Kuki-Zo groups and Meiteis . Besides RSS is already having parleys unofficially with the people belonging to both the communities for an amicable way forward.

Manipur was put under the President’s Rule on 13 Feb 2025; and the Manipur State Assembly was kept under suspended animation. And now the Manipur State Budget has been passed in Parliament by the Union Government. The approval of Parliament for invoking Article 356(PR) in Manipur is pending. A formal motion has to be presented in both Houses of Parliament for their approval of the imposition of PR .

As per Article 356 of the Constitution any invocation of the Article requires approval from Parliament within two months. Most likely the motion for the approval of PR in Manipur will be presented next week in both the Houses of Parliament for introduction and passing.

Perhaps it is pertinent to mention that under Article 355, it is the duty of the Union government to protect the State against any external attacks or internal disturbances and also to ensure that the State government runs smoothly in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.

Amidst violence and turmoil the Union government might have tried to restore normalcy and protect the State Manipur from internal disturbances and possible external infringements before finally invoking Article 356.

Dealing with the Foreigners issue and Assam Accord case, Supreme Court CJI recognized Assam’s demographic shifts and security concerns arising from unchecked illegal migrants from outside. He found that section 6A of the Assam Accord aimed at managing these issues in a structured manner, aligning with the Union's duty to protect Assam as mandated by the Article 355 that the Union should protect states from external aggression and internal disturbance.

Likewise the Union Government has a duty to protect Manipur from external intrusions and internal disturbances – as evident during the Meitei-Kuki clash. Probably the duty was performed.

The Pratinidhi Sabha which is the highest decision-making body of the RSS is having a three day session in Bangalore. While briefing the media on the first day of the session after the inauguration, RSS General Joint Secretary Mukunda ji informed that the sessions will review the activities of the previous year and chalk out a road map for the future.

What is encouraging is that the highest RSS body discussed the Manipur issue seriously. Mukunda ji said during the media briefing that Manipur will take a long time to heal from the ravages of the ethnic strife, however the Parivar remains confident that its influence and outreach can help bring the warring communities to the negotiating table for working out a viable solution. But he also admitted that the situation is complex.

Today the fundamental issues in Manipur are linked with land, job, earning, identity, faith etc. The last one is not that important but it is deliberately brought in to garner support from others, may be internal or external.

So, the solution lies with sharing everything we have and respecting each other’s faith. Let us pray together that this tiny land rises above identity and ethnic politics for common good and progress. We are just 34 ethnic groups in such a beautiful land called Manipur. Let us not make things more complicated for the future generation.

If Kuki-Zo-Hmar-Chin people come back to Imphal , the healing process can be hastened. The elites of these ethnic groups who fled the State capital due to the instant attacks and provocations must be brought back and properly rehabilitated at the earliest; then normalcy will come back gradually in other districts too.

They are the prominent people of the Kuki-Zo communities who are still reluctant to return to their homes in Imphal because of security reasons and persisting threat perception. Their security and confidence must be restored by the incumbent administration, central forces, police and Meitei laity .Their safety and security should be given utmost priority along with adequate financial assistance.

We are informed that HM has told everyone - Tom, Dick or Harry that Manipur cannot be Balkanized; however all other demands made by the communities can be looked into. A strong message has been conveyed saying that all the bonafide ethnic groups in Manipur must live together – peaceful co-existence is the only way out. It seems we are moving in the right direction.

Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes. Both sides have admitted that they made a blunder by mistake.

When the talks have begun can a solution be far behind?