The real culprit
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: April 29, 2024 -

NOW that the apprehension of the public has been turned into a worst nightmare even for the central security forces deployed in the strife-torn Manipur for maintaining law and order, what the government of India is going to do to Stop the increasing menace of Kuki-Chin militant groups, which are, ironically, under a so-called tripartite Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement?

This is one question which is in the mind of people in the wake of deadly assault launched by armed Kuki-Chin militants on a post of CRPF at Naransena in Bishnupur district in the early hours of Saturday, which resulted in loss of two lives and injuries to two others.

When the armed Kuki-Chin militants ceased their aggression and remained inexplicably quiet for some time after the schedule of the 18th Lok Sabha election was announced, everyone except the political parties and their hangers-on felt this might be the proverbial lull before the storm.

With Kuki-Chin civil societies, many of whom are only acting as extension of these armed militant groups, finally announcing their decision to stay away from taking part in the election this time; Kuki-Chin militant groups whose diktat normally decide who is to be elected as representative of Kuki-Chin people in any election are given free time to carry on with their subversive activities.

This is precisely what has been happening. Starting off with simultaneously bombardment from the elevated hill areas towards the lower lying settlements of the Meetei/Meitei, to targeting oil and gas tankers along the national highway, and blowing up vital bridge as well as power transmission tower, now the Kuki-Chin militants have been emboldened enough to launch deadly attack on central security personnel.

After the ethnic conflict in Manipur broke out on May 3 last year after Kuki-Chin people clashed with Meetei/ Meitei over the latter's demand for recognition as Scheduled Tribe (ST), many companies of central security forces were deployed in the state to deal with the law-and-order situation.

However, as there was no let-up in the violence, questions had been even raised over the purpose of deploying so many central security personnel if they were not acting against the ceaseless aggression of armed Kuki-Chin militants, all in the name of not getting order from their higher command as these militant groups are under the SoO agreement with the government.

This had only emboldened the armed Kuki-Chin militants, who have all along taken full advantage of the agreement in carrying on their subservice activities without any fear of reprisal.

A perfect example of this had been played out for the whole world to witness when video clips showing a group of armed Kuki-Chin militants causing obstruction to a convoy of Assam Rifles from performing their duty in the border town of Moreh went viral on social media sometime earlier this year.

Instead of giving befitting reply to such unwarranted obstruction, as people expected; the convoy had to meekly reverse their mine-protected Casspir vehicles.

Public disappointment over the inaction of central security forces towards the aggression of armed Kuki-Chin militants has been such that even chief minister N Biren Singh himself had angrily said, "You (Central forces) are not invited to observe what is going on. You are invited to protect the integrity of the state and life and properties of the innocent people. We are Indians" while speaking on the occasion of 52nd Statehood Day celebration held on January 21.

Coming it from the chief minister, who himself had requisitioned the central government for sending in additional forces for deployment in the state, the outburst not only vindicated the growing public demand for withdrawal of central security forces which are remaining as mere spectators to the unfolding humanitarian crisis but also abrogation of the SoO agreement signed with the Kuki-Chin militant groups.

Even though the government of Manipur had done its part by withdrawing from the tripartite agreement with at least two groups, the government of India is yet to act even though the agreement got 'officially' lapsed on February 29 last.

So, more than the armed Kuki-Chin militants who fired the bullets to cut short the lives of two CRPF personnel arid left two others grievously wounded, it is the government of India which should be regarded as the real culprit behind the deadly attack on the CRPF post.