The Hindu Editorial Vocabulary– May 29, 2023; Day 433

Alarming turn: On the situation in Manipur

A return to normalcy in Manipur requires concerted (Involving the joint activity of two or more) action by government and civil society

Violence has flared (Erupt or intensify suddenly) again in Manipur, merely three weeks after conflagrations (A very intense and uncontrolled fire) resulted in scores of deaths and the displacement of people in Churachandpur and Imphal in particular. Alarmingly, what began as protests against an order by the High Court of Manipur, on March 27, seeking the inclusion of the Meitei community into the State’s Scheduled Tribe list, has taken a grotesque (Causing horror) turn, with representatives of the Kuki-Zomi community including BJP MLAs seeking a “separate administration”. This situation should never have come to such a pass (A bad or difficult situation or state of affairs). While inter-community relations have occasionally led to flare-ups (A sudden intense happening) and remained tense for years together, the conflagrations in May mark a degradation in hill-valley relations and a complete failure of the government in curbing (Lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits) violence committed by radicals and miscreants present in the Meitei and Kuki-Zomi communities. Partially, this was a consequence of the inability of the State government led by the BJP Chief Minister, N. Biren Singh, to rise above the fray (A noisy fight) and to act in a manner that was unbiased against particular communities. The government’s so-called anti-poppy cultivation drives that were seen as moves against the Kuki-Zomi hill dwellers, raised their ire (anger), while the High Court’s single judge Bench’s ill-thought-out order — as the Chief Justice of India, D.Y. Chandrachud, himself observed as being violative of a 23-year-old Constitution Bench judgment — exacerbated (Make worse) the situation. The government was unable to prevent the spiralling (to advance or increase steadily; rise) of violence in Churachandpur and Imphal, suggesting the current regime’s incompetence.

The State government must get its act together, with the help of the Centre, to bring back normalcy by increasing patrolling (Watch over or guard an area by regularly walking around) of paramilitary and police forces in riot-torn areas, providing relief to displaced people and curtailing the influence of militant sections. A plan to allow the return of those displaced to their homes in the medium term must also be put into order with the help of the security forces. Not doing so only plays into the hands of chauvinists (A person with a prejudiced belief in the superiority of his or her own kind) from either side who emphasise differences, disharmony and separation — all of which will be disastrous ((of events) having extremely unfortunate or dire consequences; bringing ruin) for the State in the long term. The Union government cannot remain nonchalant (not feeling or showing interest or excitement about something) about the turn of events. Manipur, like some of the other northeastern States, needs to promote a civic consciousness among its citizens that will allow them to rise above ethnic identities to differentiate themselves. With trust fraying between community leaders and State government representatives, it is incumbent (Necessary (for someone) as a duty or responsibility; morally binding) upon civil society members, within and outside Manipur, to take up the cause of rebuilding inter-community ties and not letting chauvinist and militant groups hijack the role of representation.

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