Random use of firearms debunks communal clash theory
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: June 01, 2023 -

THE official casualty figure since out-break of the communal riots on May 3 has been put at 8o but there is strong possibility that the number of deaths will increase taking into account that some per-sons reported missing during the course of the violence remain unaccounted for and the clashes are no more between civilians as were the cases for all communal conflicts witnessed in the country.

Unlike in the mainland states where communities involved in communal riots usually use sharp-edged weapons or any objects that could cause harm, incidents unfolding in Manipur indicate use of firearms, including automatic rifles, which could inflict life-threatening injuries.

Moreover, compared to communal riots in other parts of the country put under control within short notice through deployment of additional security forces in the vulnerable areas, there is no sign of the violence abating in Manipur with the perpe-trators striking at will, torching houses and retreating if the targeted community retaliate only for the former to carry out similar offen-sives in other locations.

The fact that violence involving use of lethal weapons has been continuing for almost a month in peripheral areas, that too despite claim of the government about deployment of state and central forces in adequate strength, drives home the point that the aggressors are determined to create fear psychosis, displace maximum number of people and eliminate whoever tries to put up resistance.

To counter the aggression, many youths from the urban areas are also contin-uously fanning out to the foothill villages and engaging in gunfights with firearms suspected to have been snatched from state's forces.

Amid such tense and dangerous situation, Union home minister Amit Shah's hesitancy to deliberate on activities of Kuki armed outfits bound by the suspension of operation is not only disturbing but also has the potential to create chasm between the people and the central forces, which is already evident from road blocks put at different locations with the intention to prevent movement of the para-military personnel.

Moreover, reports of road blockers checking military vehicles to ascertain whether additional weapons and ammunition are being transported implies trust deficit on the central forces, especially in the aftermath of widespread speculation that there could be tacit understanding between the central forces and Kuki militants.

Such speculation is not without substance consid-ering the fact that Kuki militants are no more waging war against the national government whereas the Meetei insurgent groups are sus-taining the movement for retaining sovereign status of the erstwhile kingdom of Manipur (formerly Kangleipak).

Moreover, involvement of Kuki militants in acts of violence against the Meetei villagers in the peripheral areas is an undeniable fact for the simple reason that the village defence guards, which Kuki civil organisations claimed were formed after the communal violence broke out, shouldn't be in possession of sophisticated weapons.

Thus, it is desired that home minister Amit Shah acknowledge involvement of well-armed Kuki militants as the prime factor for prolonging of the conflict situation and at-least advice army and Assam Rifles authorities to confine cadres of Kuki outfits which signed the peace deal in the designated camps, failing which hiking the compensation amount and assuring suitable job to victim's family wouldn't make any difference at the ground level.