Churachandpur (Manipur): President’s Rule imposed in Manipur last week might have given muscle to the authorities in running the administration smoothly and maintaining law and order, but has increased uncertainty on both sides of the ethnic divide in the state, with the Meitei and Kuki civil society organisations (CSOs) taking differing positions.
While the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), an umbrella group of Meitei CSOs, has termed it a “deliberate ploy” to “push the state further into turmoil”, the Kuki-Zo Council, apex body of the Kuki-Zo CSOs, and the Zomi Council representing Zomi CSOs, have welcomed the move, but maintained their demand for a separate administration.
Ten MLAs representing the Kuki-Zo and Zomi tribes also put out a diplomatic statement Sunday, following a meeting in Guwahati a day earlier on their next course of action.
While “acknowledging” the Centre’s decision to place the assembly under suspended animation, they expressed hope that the Government of India would lay out a comprehensive “political roadmap for peace and justice under a negotiated settlement”.
The wording of the statement has created confusion among the tribal community, with many calling it a “climbdown of sorts” from their demand of a separate administration for tribal-inhabited hills in the state. The MLAs have been very vocal since the ethnic conflict began 22 months ago that they would not settle for anything other than a separate administration.
“It’s very cryptic… by not putting a separate administration in their statement, it seems the MLAs are trying to assuage the Centre,” a Kuki-Zo leader, who did not want to be named, told ThePrint.
Meanwhile, the internal rift within the state unit of Bharatiya Janata Party, where back-channel negotiations are still on to decide on a chief ministerial candidate by consensus after the resignation of N. Biren Singh, has also added to the conundrum.
“There is complete uncertainty and confusion over what is happening. There is a general feeling that instead of restoring normalcy, the situation is getting more complicated,” a senior state government official told ThePrint.
The official said that security agencies will require a minimum of six months’ time to take appropriate action to restore law and order in the state.
“They have just started their search and combing operations, recovering looted weapons and arresting cadres of underground groups indulging in criminal activities. But the operations can get jeopardised if President’s Rule is revoked earlier in the eventuality of an alternate CM being chosen,” the official added.
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What CSOs in the valley and hills say
Civil society organisations in the Imphal Valley, where the Meiteis live, and the tribal-dominated hills have hardened their positions following the imposition of President’s rule.
In a statement issued Friday, COCOMI said that the “sudden and unreasonable imposition” of President’s rule in Manipur by the Government of India, despite the BJP having an absolute majority in the state, raised serious questions about the Centre’s true intentions.
“The blatant power manoeuvre indicates a sinister agenda to place Manipur, particularly the Meitei community, under direct military control. This decision conveniently aligns with the longstanding demands of Kuki militants and separatist groups, who have been advocating for the imposition of AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act) and President’s Rule in Manipur,” it said.
The COCOMI also blamed the state BJP leaders for coming up with alternate names for CM despite holding a majority, and said that it exposed their true intent.
“Instead of allowing the democratic process to function by conducting an internal election among legislators, they have surrendered their responsibilities and become mere pawns in a larger political game… the people must rise against this injustice and demand the immediate restoration of a legitimate government,” it added.
On Saturday, residents participated in a mass rally in Imphal East demanding the lifting of President’s Rule and appointment of a new CM.
On the other hand, CSOs in the hills representing the different tribes, while welcoming the imposition of President’s Rule, have stayed firm on their demand for a separate administration.
Henliangthang Thanglet, chairman of Kuki-Zo Council, told ThePrint that there was no going back on the demand. “Imposition of President’s Rule is fine, but normalcy will only be restored once we get separate autonomy. Our position is very clear on this. The Centre will have to decide on this sooner than later,” he said.
The Zomi Council, representing tribes including Zomi and Hmar, also put out a statement saying that the “hiatus in the absence of a communal Manipur government should be exploited to look into the legitimate political aspirations of the Zo ethnic communities in Manipur for an honourable political solution through political dialogue with established political entities”.
Paolienlal Haokip, BJP MLA from Saikot in Churachandpur district, told ThePrint that their demands are clear.
“We have asked for a comprehensive political roadmap for peace and justice under a negotiated settlement. The roadmap is presumed to satisfy the demand,” he said, while denying that the MLAs’ statement was a climbdown in stand as it does not mention the words “separate administration”.
Ch Priyoranjan Singh, economics professor at Manipur University, said the state was caught in a “catch-22 situation”, where the Centre has not been able to do what it should have done.
“President’s Rule will help if they rein in the armed militants both in the valley and hills. Without that, nothing good will be happening,” he said.
Singh added that resolution of the Manipur crisis depended on the political will of the Modi government.
“It seems to me that their (Centre’s) political will to solve the Manipur issue in a given timeframe is very weak, because they have their geopolitical interests in (neighbouring) Myanmar, compulsions about the Suspension of Operations agreement with insurgent groups in the hills. These interests while in India’s interest go against the state’s interests,” Singh asserted.
(Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui)
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