'Reaching out' for peace
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: March 26, 2022 -

The connotation of 'reaching out' can be varied and many particularly when it is used in the context of two groups who stand on the opposite sides of the Indian constitution.

No doubt, the State Cabinet adopted a resolution on March 22 to pursue lasting peace in the State by reaching out to various armed groups operating in the region. This was all.

The Cabinet resolution did not mention anything about how the Government would reach out to armed groups.

It is here that the phrase 'reaching out' gets blurred with ambiguity.

If the State is sincere enough in its pursuit for lasting peace in the State, it can definitely reach out to all armed groups and other stakeholders.

However, half-hearted but oft-repeated calls made by the State to armed groups to come to negotiating tables will bear little success until and unless it is backed by a sincere political approach.

Since the early 1970's, violence and bloodshed have been the hallmark of Manipur.

Any keen observer will realise that it is the 'political divide' which has been fuelling all these violence and bloodsheds.

Over the decades so many precious lives have been lost on account of this political divide.

In another word, militancy in Manipur is not a law and order problem but a political issue as indicated by the political objectives laid down by the militant groups.

As such, there is a need to engage the militants politically. Before initiating any political engagement with the militants, it is crucial to recognise that there is armed conflict in Manipur.

This has been the voice of the people in every walk of life for ages - be it the civil society bodies, human rights groups, or academics.

But what is of significance is that until and unless the existence of armed conflict is recognised by the political class and the core issues identified, the conflict situation witnessed in the State since decades back is unlikely to die out on its own.

As an initial step the core issues need to be identified by both the militant groups and the Government, and bargaining or negotiation has to be started based on the commonly identified and accepted terms.

No doubt, both the Central Government and the State Government have shown their concerns on the persistent insurgency problem of Manipur.

But unfortunately the peace process initiated so far by the Government appears to be basically a counter-insurgency measure rather than a genuine peace initiative as testified by the stagnant political dialogue held between the Government and militant groups who had entered into Suspension of Operation (SoO) pact.

There are certain compulsory measures or processes which need to be worked out before a peace talk or negotiation takes place.

Even after more than 60 years of armed conflict in Manipur, the Government and the militant groups are moving in parallel directions in terms of defining the problem or identifying the root cause(s).

The Government has not accepted the position of the militant groups.

At the same time, in spite of engaging international cooperation (military or otherwise), particularly with Myanmar and Bangladesh, to suppress militancy in the State, the Government continues to claim that it is a law and order problem, and most recently, terrorism.

It will be impossible to start a conflict resolution or transformation process without defining a common ground.

So, if at all the Government is interested to resolve the conflict situation in Manipur through peaceful and democratic means, then the first and the foremost step is initiation of a process for identifying a common ground, which is acceptable to both the conflicting groups, through an inclusive mechanism.

Mere appeals for peace talks from time to time along with military engagements cannot bring about any tangible solution and least of all, addressing the problem. We hope the State would reach out to all armed groups with sincerity this time.