Why is the Indian Government not serious about Manipur violence?

[FearlessRoar]

I want to discuss a pressing issue that's been bothering me, the ongoing violence in Manipur, India. As a neighboring country, we can't ignore the human suffering and instability it's causing.

Manipur has been plagued by ethnic tensions between the Meitei and Kuki communities for decades. The Meitei demand greater autonomy, while the Kuki seek a separate state. This conflict has roots in colonial-era policies and has been exacerbated by government neglect.

Despite the severity of the situation, the Indian government seems reluctant to take concrete steps. Why? In my opinion:

- Fear of setting a precedent for other separatist movements
- Economic interests in the region's natural resources
- Political calculations to appease certain voter bases

Facts:

- Over 50 deaths and thousands displaced in recent months
- Widespread property damage and economic losses
- Human rights abuses by security forces

Here are the potential steps that the Indian government should have taken:

Autonomous administrative structures to address Meitei and Kuki demands
Economic development initiatives to bridge the gap between communities
Neutral third-party mediation to facilitate negotiations
Addressing external factors like geopolitical rivalries

Share your thoughts and suggestions

 

[DeadlyVenom]

India believes there is a Chinese hand at play.

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Kukei and metie is a fight between two tribes and it's been going on for ages.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Kuki Meitei fight has been for centuries.

Kukis have been fighting Myanmar's army as well.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Then who will be providing them weapons?

Kuki militants are fighting Myanmar's army as well. Is Pakistan also fighting against Myanmar?

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Could be. But it is a centuries old tribal fight and they are fighting Myanmar army as well. Regarding supply of weapons, there is corruption in India and arms cache can make its way through multiple routes.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Evening briefing: Kharge slams Modi's 'failure' to end Manipur violence; BJP on Mamata's conspiracy charge; and more​

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for “abject failure” in ending ethnic violence in Manipur, calling it unforgivable. “People of Manipur are asking, why doesn’t Modi ji want to end violence in the state?” he asked on X. The violence, which was triggered in May last year, has escalated with the use of drones and rockets in attacks over the last week. A former soldier was killed after he accidentally crossed the “buffer zone” between the Meitei and Kuki areas late on Sunday

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday criticised West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee over her allegation against the Centre of conspiring over the public outcry in the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata last month. The rape and murder of the junior doctor in a seminar hall of the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9 has sparked nationwide protests. The case is being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Source: Hindustan Times

 

[dubeTheGoat]

Manipur is an ethnic conflict between two tribes. I doubt they are getting any external support. Maybe China at most but there is no concrete proof. Regarding weapons.. its not that difficult to get - black market trading, being on border with Myanmar which is in a state of civil war. The tribes want autonomy but also want to remain with the union ( as of September 2024).

 

[Bhaijaan]

Baluchistan is a just cause for Independence Day. The British made mistakes which the Pashtuns and Baloch are suffering from to this day. They are a separate people and separate nation historically after Mahabharat was dissolved.

We will continue to support the Baloch until they achieve their objective of an independent state. Until then the Baloch shall fight till the last drop of their blood. They are brave people not like Punjabi Pakistanis who only surrender during wars.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Indian police arrest 33 after violence in troubled Manipur

Indian police have arrested 33 people after a surge in ethnic violence in Manipur state, where a curfew and an internet blackout have been imposed, officers said Thursday.

Fighting broke out in Manipur in May 2023, between the predominantly Hindu Meitei majority and the mainly Christian Kuki community, an ethnic conflict that has since killed at least 200 people.

Since then, communities have splintered into rival groups across swaths of the northeastern state, which borders war-torn Myanmar.

After months of relative calm, fresh fighting erupted this month.

At least 11 people have been killed, including in what police called a "significant escalation" of violence, with insurgents firing rockets and dropping bombs with drones.

"In the follow up to the violent protests in the past few days, Manipur Police has arrested 33 people and apprehended seven juveniles," a police statement read.

It urged people "to cooperate with law enforcing agencies in the maintenance of peace and normalcy".

Authorities have imposed an internet shutdown in several areas, repeating a blackout that last year lasted for months.

Police have also ordered a curfew, but hundreds in the state capital Imphal defied the order.

Meitei protesters marched through Imphal on Tuesday to demand security forces take action against Kuki insurgent groups, whom they blame for the latest spate of attacks.

Long-standing tensions between the Meitei and Kuki communities revolve around competition for land and public jobs.

Rights activists have accused local leaders of exacerbating ethnic divisions for political gain.

Manipur is ruled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party.

Fighting last year forced around 60,000 people from their homes, according to government figures. Many have been unable to return home.

AFP

 

[FearlessRoar]

The Manipur government on Sunday extended the ban on mobile internet services in five districts for another five days, till September 20, even as it relaxed curfew prohibitions in four districts for a few hours in the morning

The Home Department, in an order extending the ban, said that the decision was taken in view of the prevailing law and order situation.

After incidents of violence and student protests for two days, the state government on September 10 suspended the mobile internet service in five districts — Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur, and Kakching — for five days (till September 15).

Commissioner, Home, N. Ashok Kumar, in Sunday’s order, said: “State government, after reviewing the prevailing law and order situation and its possible co-relation with the general operation of internet suspension in the last fortnight, decided to continue suspension of internet and mobile data services including VSATs, and VPN services in the territorial jurisdiction of Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur, and Kakching districts of Manipur for another 5 days with effect from September 15.”

The state government, on September 12, restored broadband and fixed lease line internet service in five districts in the Manipur Valley, while keeping the suspension for the mobile internet.

On September 10, mobile internet service was suspended in five districts for five days (till September 15).

Apprehending fresh trouble in the valley regions, including in the state capital Imphal and its adjoining areas, district authorities on September 10 reimposed curfew for an indefinite period in four districts — Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, and Thoubal. However, prohibitory orders in these districts were relaxed on Sunday for seven hours from 5 a.m.

Strife-torn Manipur has witnessed a series of violent incidents since September 1, with suspected militants gunning down at least 12 people, including two women, elderly persons and a retired soldier, and injuring over 20 others in different districts.

After the violence, thousands of students belonging to schools and colleges held protests for two days (on September 9 and 10) in support of their demands which included the removal of the Director General of police and chief security advisor to the state government for their alleged inability to deal with the rising militant violence.

The student leaders separately met Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya and Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and highlighted their demands, which also included the withdrawal of Central forces from the state and maintaining the territorial integrity of Manipur. Owing to militant violence and student protests, the Higher and Technical Education Department and the Directorate of Education, in two separate orders, closed all schools, colleges and technical institutions till September 14.

Meanwhile, the Army, and the Assam Rifles, along with the Border Security Force, the Central Reserve Police Force, and the Manipur Police continue their anti-insurgency operations across the state.

Mobile Internet Ban Extended In Manipur For 5 Days | Nation

Imphal: The Manipur government on Sunday extended the ban on mobile internet services in five districts for another five days, till September 20, even as

ommcomnews.com

 

[BouncerGuy]

Schools, colleges in Manipur to reopen from September 17

The Manipur government has said that schools and colleges, which have remained closed due to the prevailing law and order situation, will reopen on Tuesday (September 17, 2024) and normal classes will resume.

Schools and colleges were closed on September 7 after rocket attacks killed one person and injured several others. The institutions continued to remain closed as students hit the streets demanding the return of peace to the ethnic strife-torn state. They clashed with security forces, prompting the imposition of curfew in several districts.

Orders for the reopening of schools and colleges were issued by the Directorate of Education (Schools) and the Higher and Technical Education Department on Monday (September 16, 2024) night.

Meanwhile, the Manipur government relaxed curfew restrictions in Imphal East and West and Thoubal districts from 5 am to 6 pm on Tuesday (September 17, 2024) to facilitate people to purchase essential items, including food and medicines.

The relaxation, however, does not permit any gatherings, sit-ins or rallies.

More than 200 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic strife between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and adjoining hills-based Kukis in Manipur since May, 2023.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/news/natio...-reopen-from-september-17/article68650562.ece

 

[The Bald Eagle]

India in talks with ethnic groups clashing in Manipur state​

The Indian government is in talks seeking to resolve a long-running conflict between two ethnic communities in the northeastern state of Manipur, Interior Minister Amit Shah said at a press conference on Tuesday.

Internet and mobile data services were restored in Manipur on Monday, official orders showed, after being suspended in some areas last week when student protests turned violent amid fresh fighting between the majority Meitei and minority Kuki groups.

"We hope that we will be able bring the situation (in Manipur) under control," Shah told reporters at an event outlining the first 100 days of the third term of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration.

"If both (ethnic groups) do not come to an understanding, there won't be a resolution to the matter," Shah said, adding that the government was prepared with a "road map" outlining a range of efforts for the coming days.

Source: Reuters

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

I want to discuss a pressing issue that's been bothering me, the ongoing violence in Manipur, India. As a neighboring country, we can't ignore the human suffering and instability it's causing.

Manipur has been plagued by ethnic tensions between the Meitei and Kuki communities for decades. The Meitei demand greater autonomy, while the Kuki seek a separate state. This conflict has roots in colonial-era policies and has been exacerbated by government neglect.

Despite the severity of the situation, the Indian government seems reluctant to take concrete steps. Why? In my opinion:

- Fear of setting a precedent for other separatist movements
- Economic interests in the region's natural resources
- Political calculations to appease certain voter bases

Facts:

- Over 50 deaths and thousands displaced in recent months
- Widespread property damage and economic losses
- Human rights abuses by security forces

Here are the potential steps that the Indian government should have taken:

Autonomous administrative structures to address Meitei and Kuki demands
Economic development initiatives to bridge the gap between communities
Neutral third-party mediation to facilitate negotiations
Addressing external factors like geopolitical rivalries

Share your thoughts and suggestions

Don't know much about this conflict, but was surprised to read that the two ethnic tribes are separated by religion, not just tribal differences as most Indians are suggesting. Majority Meitei are hindus, while the Kuki minority are christian. That may answer your question as to why the govt is not serious about intervening.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Congress alleges BJP plot to create Manipur-like situation in Tripura, cites recent violence​

After visiting areas affected by the recent communal violence and arson, the Opposition Congress on Wednesday alleged that people belonging to the ruling BJP were trying to create a Manipur-like situation in Tripura.

“They had a blueprint for a communal riot at Koitorabari last month. They burned houses, vehicles and livestock. An atmosphere of panic was prevailing there. There were lapses on the part of the administration in tackling the situation, especially the police. Hooligans backed by the ruling party succeeded in creating communal tension in the area due to inaction of the police. They tried to create such situations elsewhere in the state as well,” state Congress president Ashish Kumar Saha said.

On August 25, at least 16 houses were burnt, 11 vehicles torched and several other properties damaged in a communal flare-up in the Durganagar and Koitorabari areas of Ranirbazar of the Jirania subdivision in West Tripura district following the defacement of a Kali idol at a local temple.

Saha said the Kali idol defacement was used as a pretext to perpetrate arson and looting and to create a fear psychosis. He also said certain people were trying to create a discord between Hindus and Muslims as well as a divide between tribals and non-tribals.

“They are trying to create a Manipur-like situation in Tripura,” he said.

The Congress also claimed the BJP was resorting to intimidation tactics and communal incitement as it had lost its support base.

MLA Sudip Roy Barman, who was part of the Congress team, said, “We will ensure justice for this barbaric incident (at Koitorabari). We appeal to them to hold their head high and not bow down to any intimidation. If they become weak, these miscreants will try to further cow them down. Many people are still stranded in relief camps. We will ensure that food and other necessary supplies are provided there, because there is nothing for them to go back to.”

“Those who perpetrated this attack are not human beings. Such people can have no religion. If those people had any religion of their own, they would not have burnt cows. They are miscreants, anti-socials and hooligans. We have identified them,” he added.

Barman said his party would gherao the state police headquarters on September 23 in protest against the alleged deterioration of law and order and incitement to communal and ethnic violence as well as crimes against women.

The Congress leaders also demanded the state government ensure action against the perpetrators of the violence and provide compensation for its victims.

After the police arrested five people in connection with the Koitorabari violence, a group of protesters blocked a national highway alleging that their “innocent Hindu brethren” were arrested in the aftermath of the idol desecration and purported attacks on Hindus.

Source: Indian Express