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PC: Telegraph

Context:

Despite the substantial loss of life and displacement that the two-year-old conflict in Manipur has wrought, it continues to be a low priority on India's national priority list.  The human catastrophe has been extended and ethnic divisions have been exacerbated by political stalemate and insufficient security responses.

About the Manipur Issue

• It erupted in May 2023, fueled by ethnic tensions between the Meitei and tribal populations, particularly the Kuki-Zo clans.
• It was sparked by the Manipur High Court's instruction to consider giving Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Meitei population, resulting in significant demonstrations and bloodshed.

About Manipur Historically, Manipur has been a center for Krishna consciousness, with its rulers embracing Vaishnavism since the 15th century. Its northern boundary is shared by Nagaland (204 km).In the south, Mizoram (95 km)Assam in the west (204.1 km)  Myanmar (352 kilometers) to the east and south are the country's international borders. It is well-known for Manipuri, a traditional dance style.Because of its physical location and closeness to Myanmar, it is frequently referred to as the gateway to Southeast Asia. It is an essential component of India's Act East Policy, which aims to improve diplomatic and commercial relations with Southeast Asia.

Manipur Conflict: National Neglect and Strategic Disengagement 

• Prolonged Conflict: The Manipur conflict has persisted for over two years, resulting in 250+ deaths and the displacement of thousands to sub-human relief camps.
  
  
• National Prioritisation and Political Apathy: There is a marked disparity in the central government’s response to Manipur as compared to Kashmir. While Kashmir incidents, such as the Pahalgam terror strike, received swift attention, Manipur continues to suffer from delayed and inadequate response.
  
  
• Prime Ministerial Absence: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not visited Manipur, signalling a lack of political roadmap or urgency. This contrasts sharply with his active engagement in other conflict zones.
  
  
• Selective Crisis Response: The Pahalgam attack led to policy changes and international travel advisories, whereas Manipur’s humanitarian crisis remains marginalised in national discourse.
  
  
• Humanitarian Need vs Political Will: The disconnect between the urgency of the crisis and the political will to act highlights selective governance priorities.
  
  
• Historical and Strategic Disengagement: New Delhi’s approach to the Northeast has been historically shaped by a security-first mindset and geopolitical disinterest, unlike Kashmir, which is seen as strategically vital due to its proximity to Pakistan and China.
  
  
• Perceived Security Threats: Manipur is not considered an imminent national security threat, contributing to episodic interventions rather than sustained political engagement.
  
  
• Diminished Foreign Support: While past insurgencies in the Northeast had foreign backing, such support has declined. However, the security narrative continues to overemphasize border threats, downplaying the internal humanitarian crisis.

Manipur Security Crisis: Current Security Narratives and Policy Failures

Manufactured Security Threats

• In the absence of verified threats, local political and civil actors have fabricated or amplified dangers for political leverage.
  
  
• A notable example includes exaggerated claims about 900 armed militants from Myanmar planning to attack Meitei villages, which was later found to be more strategic posturing than factual intelligence.
  
  

Selective Military Targeting

• Security operations have disproportionately affected Kuki-Zomi-Hmar villages, aggravating ethnic divides.
  
  
• Meanwhile, Valley-Based Insurgent Groups (VBIGs) — posing real security threats — remain largely ignored.
  
  

Outsourcing of Law and Order

• The informal transfer of law enforcement responsibilities to armed militias has further weakened state control.
  
  
• VBIGs now fill the governance vacuum, destabilizing the buffer zones between ethnic territories.
  
  

Obsolete and Misguided Security Strategies

• The fencing of the 1,643 km India-Myanmar border, especially the 398 km Manipur stretch, is considered an outdated and misdirected security measure.
  
  
• With a cost of ₹31,000 crore, the policy alienates transborder ethnic communities like the Nagas and Mizos, straining India’s Act East Policy and cross-border relations.
  
  

Symbolic Arms Surrender Drives

• Events like Arambai Tenggol’s weapon handovers are portrayed as progress, but lack substance.
  
  
• The state has failed to recover over 6,000 stolen weapons and 5 lakh rounds of ammunition since May 2023.
  
  
• Less than 4,000 arms recovered are mostly country-made and ineffective, with minimal legal follow-up under the Arms Act.
  
  

Political Symbolism vs. Policy Substance

• Arms control has become performative, emphasizing public optics over disarmament and peace-building.
  
  
• President’s Rule imposed in February 2025 was politically motivated — aimed at managing internal dissent within the BJP rather than addressing the humanitarian crisis.
  
  

Communal Narratives and Fear-Mongering

• Stereotyping of Kukis as “lungi-clad militants from Myanmar” has fueled majoritarian insecurities.
  
  
• Real threats from local insurgents are underplayed in favor of communal blame narratives.
  
  

Lack of Credible State Protection

• The failure to control armed groups and ensure justice perpetuates a security dilemma for minorities like the Kukis and Mizos, fostering cycles of fear and retaliation.

Way Forward

• Despite these harsh realities, hints of a gradual return to stability offer a limited opportunity for true political activity.
• The opposing commemorations of May 3, one as a'separation day' and the other as a 'day of reflection', reflect deep divisions while also providing a chance for conversation.
• To achieve a meaningful resolution, policy frameworks must extend beyond national security rhetoric and encompass inclusive governance, trust-building, and institutional legitimacy.
• To overcome the current impasse, national policy should view the Northeast as an essential part of India, with distinct cultural, historical, and geopolitical elements.
• This entails acknowledging the grievances of all ethnic groups, restoring governmental power without the use of militias, and restoring the credibility of democratic institutions.
• Manipur's dilemma is a striking indictment of a national security strategy motivated by optics and political expediency.
• The ongoing bloodshed, human misery, and government collapse highlight a deeper malaise in the Indian state's attitude to its northeastern frontier.
• Moving forward, we must change from symbolic gestures to actual policy based on empathy, fairness, and strategic forethought.
• Only then will the elusive peace in Manipur become a practical reality.

Practice Question Q. Examine the difficulties of reconciling national security imperatives with human rights and political participation during the current violence in Manipur.