Ground assessment essential to expose riot plotters
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: May 16, 2023 -

REGARDLESS of Union home minister Amit Shah's assurance to uphold Mani-pur's integrity there is strong possibility that those who have raised and backed the demand for separate administration for the Kuki community and its kindred tribes might continue to play the victim card and scheme to create socio-ethnic and political problems as root cause for the recent communal clashes and provocative firing on Meetei villages in the foothills appear to be intentional acts to justify the demand and ultimately realise the goal for creation of Kuki homeland.

In his ad-dress to the media on Monday, chief minister N Biren quoted union home minister Amit Shah as saying that there will be no affect or alteration to the integrity of the state, which will at-least help in calming the nerves of non-Kuki communities and in maintaining law and order.

However, there is no guarantee that the elected representatives belonging to the Kuki and kindred tribes will reciprocate positively and contribute their mite in easing the tension gripping the state as the ground reality suggests that the demand for separate administration was not impulsive but centred on a long-drawn plan.

As stated by CM Biren, the centre has thoroughly studied the cause, the instigator and the subsequent events leading to the violent communal clashes in the state.

However, with exception of officially registering cases related to the riots, there is remote chance of the prime accused and per-petrators pulled up and penalised as per the law of land for the simple reason that in some violence-hit districts acts of arson continue unabated and the law enforcement personnel are reduced to mere muted spectator.

While only time will tell whether or not the accused persons would be traced and arrest-ed, it is imperative for both the central and state governments to ensure that no further violence breaks out in any part of the state for provocative acts is certain to spark outrage and retaliatory actions from the effected community.

All sane persons would also be expecting the union home minister, who is said to be closely monitoring the situation in the state and examining reports related to the violence, to keep his words that the centre will firmly deal with any unwanted incidents and aid in restoring peace and normalcy.

It is equally important that the assurance for formation of the joint Monitoring Commit-tee (JMC), consisting of state and central forces, and confine cadres of armed outfits bound by Suspension of Operation (So0) in their respective designated camps are im-plemented earnestly as there are enough evidences about involvement of So0 cadres in the violence perpetrated against the Meetei people.

Moreover, with reports cropping up about looting of hundreds of firearms and ammunition from a gun shop in the heart of Churachandpur town, aspersions would be cast on honesty of the police authorities for only rioters in the valley districts were being warned to return the weapons snatched from police stations and not in the hills where arms and ammunition have also been looted.

It is also advisable that whoever is in charge of the state's security aspect visit violence-hit hill areas for assessing the ground reality and extent of damage caused to lives and properties rather than living under the impression that district and police authorities would furnish authenticate reports about the riots.