What caused the fire and how it was stoked has been explained in these columns earlier (https://www.thecitizen.in/opinion/misinformisation-of-manipur-937787), which can be read by those not aware.
Sure the Army/Assam Rifles columns are deployed but if the state is bent upon polarizing the public for electoral gains then the situation will continue to remain volatile. As mentioned in the linked article there is a very big difference between weapons “distributed” and media reporting that armories were “looted”. The anti-Army/AR propaganda, including videos in circulation, accusing them of helping the Kukis is another example of inciting the Meiteis.
Amid the continuing violence, the media has reported intermittent firing in the general area of Kangvai near Churachandpur district on june 16. A mob of some 1,000 people attempting to burn down buildings near the palace compound on the night of June 16 was dispersed by the RAF firing tear gas shells. Another mob was reported near Manipur University - large numbers of attackers, including women, in military-style fatigue and khaki dresses and carrying “sophisticated weapons” reached Kwakta in Bishnupur district on trucks and LMVs; displaying their firearms, machetes, daggers, and improvised incendiary items openly. These attackers were obviously Meiteis because Kuki women have not been witnessed in such acts.
There is every chance that civilians engaged in violence attired in khaki dresses are state-sponsored. Manipur has been experiencing violence in the past but due to terror attacks against security forces. Long ago there were also incidents of inter-faction violence among the Naga tribes. But the current level of Meitei-Kuki violence with over 120 killed, hundreds displaced and a continuing atmosphere of fear is unprecedented.
Despite mobs targeting BJP offices and homes of state/union ministers and politicians, Manipur BJP spokesman Elangbam Johnson says that the party has decided to remain silent, which is rather unusual and appears to be under directions of the Centre. However, one view is that silence is not always golden and in this case it is pathetic.
Presently, the situation appears to be out of control of Chief Minister Biren Singh government in Manipur. It could be that the government has decided to adopt the Ostrich Approach (also termed the Eunuch Approach by others) hoping that the problem will resolve itself eventually and violence will die down. But this is unlikely to happen. On the contrary there is every chance of the situation deteriorating further
One social media post recommends that the BJP should seize this opportunity and add one more golden feather in their cap by imposing their first Central Rule under Article 356 of the Constitution – that too in a BJP run state, which would make big news; an exception to taking pride in not invoking this Article in any of the states and chiding prime ministers during Congress rule for abusing this Article.
Never to lose such an opportunity, Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy has tweeted: “Time is now to sack the BJP Manipur Govt and impose Central Rule under Article 356 of the Constitution. Send Amit Shah to the Sports Ministry.” The recommendation for Amit Shah to be transferred to the Sports Ministry is perhaps because his son Jay Shah is already the Secretary of BCCI. Wonder if Swamy will make similar recommendations for Rajnath Singh on another occasion whose son Pankaj Singh has been made President of the Cycling Federation of India.
There is much discussion whether the Biren Singh government would be dismissed but the majority feel there is no chance of this at all – comparing Biren Singh’s clout with the BJP to Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh with the latter termed the Bahubali or Goon of Gonda in public discourse.
It is quite possible that the situation will be allowed to simmer in Manipur till the general elections next year, drawing as much electoral mileage as possible through media manipulation. This view is also based on the silence of the Centre including the prime minister on the Manipur situation while a lot is being said about the G20, peace in Ukraine and other topics.
The hardcore critics are saying that the fires in Manipur have been deliberately lit because of the Lok Sabha elections scheduled in 2024. They point out that the Pulwama car bombing on February 14, 2019 was also deliberately “allowed” to happen from within, to cash in on the vote-bank in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. And, that is the reason why NSA Ajit Doval has nothing to say about Manipur, which should be his main focus presently considering the unprecedented violence since May 4 that will definitely be exploited by China, if it is not being done already. Instead Doval is diverting attention by making statements like if Netaji Subhash Chander Bose was alive, India would not have been partitioned. But if Netaji was alive, would he have let Manipur burn in this manner?
Finally, whatever the case one can only feel sorry for the people of Manipur, including the Meiteis and Kukis as lives don’t matter to politicians. God save them!
Lt General Prakash Katoch is an Indian Army veteran. Views expressed are personal.
Cover Photograph PTI - Union Minister of State for External Affairs RK Ranjan Singh’s home gutted in Imphal.