Manipur Once again it is surrounded by violence and terror. The situation deteriorated rapidly after six people of Meitei community were kidnapped and bodies of three of them were found in Jiribam district. The tension increased so much that the state government had to shut down internet services and impose curfew in seven districts.
Scope and incidents of violence
The protesters directly targeted the administrative structure of the state and set on fire the houses of two Manipur government ministers and five MLAs. The residences of ministers Sapam Ranjan Lamphel and L Susindro Singh, MLAs S Kunjakesar, RK Imo and KH Joykisan were attacked. Apart from this, violent mobs ranging from burning shops and vehicles to blocking major roads left the state in complete chaos.
On Saturday night, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh’s private residence also came under the grip of violence. The protesters set fire to the house, which shows the weakness of the administrative system and the anger of the public. Due to the worsening situation in Imphal West and Imphal East districts, the administration imposed curfew with immediate effect.
Internet ban and security measures
State Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi said internet services have been suspended in Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching, Kangkokpi and Churachandpur districts. The government feared that rumors and misinformation could spread through social media, which could worsen the situation.
The violence started after militants attacked a village in Jiribam district on Tuesday. 10 militants were killed in the encounter between security forces and militants, but even after this the tension increased instead of decreasing. The situation went out of control after bodies of two civilians were found in Jiribam on Thursday and three bodies were found on the river bank on Friday.
Political and administrative crisis
According to sources, 19 MLAs of the state are planning to resign from their posts. This could become a major threat to the political stability of Manipur. There are increasingly signs of administrative failure in a state grappling with insurgency and communal violence.
The central government has sent 20 additional paramilitary forces to handle the situation. This step has been taken in view of the expanding scope of violence. However, with more than 240 people having lost their lives in the state so far, the question arises whether these measures will be enough.
Background of violence in Manipur
Manipur has been the epicenter of ethnic and communal tension for the past several months. The long-running unrest between the Kuki and Meitei communities has now erupted into large-scale violence. Reasons like land disputes, dissatisfaction over government policies and lack of security are escalating these conflicts.
The prevalence of militant activities in the border areas of the state and drug smuggling in the border areas have further worsened the situation. The state government is making repeated efforts to restore peace, but current incidents show that the violence is not stopping.
Impact on society and people
The violence has had a direct impact on the general public. Everyday life is being affected due to internet shutdown. Students’ online classes have stopped, traders are unable to run their businesses, and the general public is unable to find an outlet to raise their voice.
Access to hospitals and emergency services is also being disrupted. Due to road jams and curfew, patients are not able to get medical facilities on time. In these circumstances, life has become very difficult for the people of the state.
expert opinion
Political and social experts believe that peace can be restored in Manipur only when there is dialogue between all communities and the government listens seriously to their concerns. The local administration needs to step up its efforts and the central government should also take concrete steps to find a long-term solution.
the way forward
Manipur needs a permanent solution to free it from this cycle of violence. The administration should not only take drastic steps to restore peace but also formulate concrete strategies towards rooting out extremism and ethnic disputes.
The situation in Manipur is not just a state problem, but a warning to the entire country about how discontent and administrative weaknesses can push society towards anarchy.
