Kuki War 2023 - The Unequal Fight

AD Singh *

Little did people expect the supposedly peaceful and democratic rally, that is what the police HQ justify the permission for the 11 km long march in Churachandpur organised by the ATSUM on the 3rd May 2023 to protest against the demand of ST Status to the Meiteis, shall turn violent and declare war on the valley people.

It shall be remembered as an attempt to destroy peace and tranquillity in Manipur. It appeared peaceful till the arrival of the armed and uniformed Kuki militants who joined the march. They were joyously welcomed by the protesters, someone even shouted ‘oh they have also come’.

Some shook hands. That rang the bell. It was therefore, no surprise that shortly afterwards it was reported that shooting and arsons in Meiteis localities had been started in Churachanpur, Bishenpur, Kangpokpi, Moreh etc . The news spread like wild fire in Imphal. By dusk the valley people retaliated with vengeance eye for eye.

In the following days Manipur saw the worst communal violence of arsons and killing. More than 50 innocent and unsuspecting people on both sides lost their lives in the first few days. Properties worth crores of rupees went up in flames. It was gruesome and sickening to see such level of brutality. Somebody may say it only proves that the Meiteis too were tribal. The Governments, both Central and local were clueless.

The Central Government evoked a hitherto unheard article 355 of the Constitution. Planeloads of army and other Central forces were sent but with their hand practically tied for they were not told what to do. To think that mere presence of 40000 personnel of the forces is enough to deter the rioters from violence was a very simplistic and amateurish approach, to put it mildly, to the explosive situation.

Two months have passed, it is now clear that the Kukis had actually planned meticulously to declare war on the Meiteis and harass them to express its displeasure or disappointment to the Governments both Central and State. It is not the Meiteis who can give themselves ST status. SO WHY ON EARTH THE Kuki leaders think their own citadel is under attack by the former.

Kukis are traditionally warriors and hunters. Their forefathers used spears in ancient time. Now they use guns. Most families must be having one or two guns. Then hundreds of militants of various groups who are trained in warfare and use of sophisticated weapons including bombs, long range powerful rifles and land mines etc are there at their disposal and are being used effectively.

In contrast the Meities are peace loving and easy going people. They have no weapon trainings, can’t even recognise the type of bullets as evident now. Only a few people mostly officials and businessmen have licensed small arms. But they hold the integrity of the Manipur as sacrosanct and ready to die for it. Their forefathers had sacrificed their lives in the past for their country, remember Manipur was an independent country before the British invaded and brought it under the crown.

The stories of great sacrifices of young Chinglensana and others who went to the battle of 1891 fully knowing that they will never return alive, inspired them. The present onslaught of the Kukis enkindled again their patriotic passion. They responded with bare hands and with whatever weapons they had.

The retaliation was ferocious if not extreme and might have stunned the invaders. So they started planting fake news of majority Meitei community had started ethnic cleansing by attacking innocent minority Kukis. It was lapped up by the gullible press and social media.

After all, nobody will believe that a minority community will start the violence. The ever so resourceful Kukis with help of their intellectuals, academics and sympathetic TV anchors and press reporters projected themselves as VICTIMS of Meitei brutality, suppressing the truth. Telling lies may a sin in front of the Lord but as they say - everything is fair in war. For war it is.

No communal fight will need bunkers as the Kukis had built around Meitei villages so that they can take pot shots from there at will. These bunkers are at a higher levels in the hill. Meitei habitations are at the foothills and plain, their own land.

So it is not difficult to understand who are calling the shots. That is, of course if mind and ears are open, but when even the Home Minister of the great and powerful India and the intelligence agencies refuse to see the tell tale signs, the Kukis have an advantage. The victims are in fact the valley dwellars who have no god fathers.

The Central forces, 40000 of them can’t give protection or prevent merciless killings by the other. So why should anybody particularly those TV commentators and expert analysts, be dismayed or speak harsh words when the local womenfolk demand withdrawal of the forces if they are not there to prevent violence by the Kuki militants and the Myanmer insurgents.

Why they are giving long lease to those kuki militants under a supposedly ‘Suspension of Operation’ even if they openly violate the ground rules of the agreement. The meticulous military planning, control of mass media and the terrain are all in favour of the invading Kukis. They have already announced take over of the civil aviation by naming the the ATO flight counter at the Imphal airport as Lamka. The Government is well advised to prepare for a possible cyber attack of its offices and institutions. They may be expert hackers already or are going to hire other criminals.

It had been said that thousands of arms had been looted from PSs by the Meiteis. It may seem funny that some of them left their Aadhar cards at the PS to make their intention clear that they will return it. The Kukis too looted arms from PSs and private gun shops , one thousand of it with huge ammunition. It is therefore AN UNEQUAL FIGHT.

But the moot question is to what purpose? Their selfish action had brought only destruction and loss of more than 100 lives. Their stated demand is for a separate administration as a stepping stone to the home land. Protest against demand for ST status is only an alibi. In any case it is the Government which will decide. So why kill Meiteies and heave the blame on them ? Their habit of blockade of NH-2 is a form of attrition but it is causing more misery to the common people of Churachandpur than to the valley people.

Even conceding for a moment, the genuine nature of their demand, how is it going to benefit the common ignorant people whom the Kuki leaders are using as fodders. True, the powerful leaders and the druglords will get richer. But at what price ? The youths both present and future, who are very vulnerable to drug abuse, as it was already seen in the State shall be at higher risk.

With extensive poppy plantation and manufacture of the drugs among the populace, you will have a generation of unproductive and fragile youths which will be only a burden to the society. Are you going to declare another opium war on your people ? The druglords will not stop at it. Gambling, casinos and immoral acts which are usually associated with drugs will turn the place to a sin city .

Power and control of administration shall be in the hands of them much more than what they have now. Is this what you want to leave for your future generation ? Ultimately it will spread to all parts of the State. We are not ready for that eventuality. So the people of the State have a stake in what you are planning to do. They will fight this aggression of the people who have roots in the neighbouring Myanmar whose only passion in life is power and more money.

As it is, the cost of your war has been very high for your people. The houses and other properties destroyed by your followers belonging to Meiteis are miniscule for they are very poor wage earners whereas the properties of your rich people in prime places in Imphal are many times more costly. Lives lost or traumatised are also unfortunately more valuable as most people are Government employees..

But you started it and they pay for it. Think of the Day of Judgement at the altar of the Lord. If you are a blue blooded Kuki, stop the madness. Let there be peace in the State. The future of Manipuri Kukis belong to Manipur.