The central government failed to resolve the inter-communal conflict in Manipur

- Lack of effective action despite numerous channels of communication

- What is happening in Manipur is the beginning of the struggle for racial rights

- Irrespective of the political party, MLAs here are more identified with their community

- As a result of this impasse, the Parliament is in a deadlock and the people of the country are frustrated

- Opinion - P. Chidambaram

Government of India is sitting as a silent spectator while Manipur is burning. There is a BJP government at the center and in Manipur. There are many channels of communication within the party. From the governor to the intelligence bureau to social organizations and even the media, there are channels of communication.

Cleansing of the community

What is happening in Manipur is not a temporary conflict, there is no opportunistic crime or looting of grains, what is happening here is the beginning of a struggle for caste rights. Efforts are underway to exterminate members of undesirable ethnic groups. Manipur is constitutionally granted statehood, with three major communities living in it. Most of the people of the Maiti community (covering 40 seats in the state assembly) live in the Imphal Valley area. The Kuki-Zumi community resides in four districts (covering ten seats) while the Naga community resides in four hill districts (covering ten seats). Regardless of the political party, MLAs here are more identified with their community. Looking at this, it can be said that Maiti is ruling the state.

From the reports received, it can be said that Kuki-Zumi community is not found in valley area and Maitis are not found in Kuki-Zumi dominated area. I am told that this includes government employees as well. There is a communal and geographical divide here as there is no presence of Kukis in the valley and no presence of Maitis in the hills. Hundreds of people have been forced to evacuate to safer places due to the storms. The Chief Minister and other ministers of the state also work from home and cannot or do not visit the affected areas. It is obvious that his command cannot reach near his residence and beyond the office. No community trusts Manipur police. The Central Armed Police Force was thus far constrained in some ways. Army is also given limited responsibility. Because of this, the killings have continued unabated since May 3. No one is willing to believe the official figures. The condition has affected women the most. Women are being raped to intimidate vulnerable people in conflict areas. A number of women have been victims, one of whom was the wife of a soldier who had fought in the Kargil war. The concern is that once community cleansing begins, the infection will not spread as often as elsewhere. Maitis living in Mizoram have been warned to leave the state and as many as 600 are reported to have left.

Ignorance or inaction

The case of harassment of two women on May 4 gives an idea of ​​the dire situation in Manipur. It has also been alleged that the police stood silently while the mob was carrying the woman away. The victims could file a complaint on May 18. The second FIR was registered on June 21. The victim also told the police that she herself recognized some of the persons in the mob. However, no action was taken for 75 days. State Chief Secretary, SP and DGP did nothing. Based on the letter received from the American Manipur Association regarding the May 4 incident, the National Commission for Women informed the Chief Secretary and DGP of the state on June 19 and did nothing else. Even the National Human Rights Commission took no notice of this. Despite multiple channels of communication, the Chief Minister of Manipur claimed that he was not aware of the incident. But when the video of the incident came out on July 19, everyone was shocked. If this case is not considered that the constitutional government has collapsed in Manipur, then Articles 355 and 356 of the Constitution should be abolished.

The 1983 massacre of Neel (Assam) was discussed in Parliament. But since July 20, neither the ruling party nor the opposition could agree on the rules under which the Manipur crisis should be taken up for discussion. The government has made it clear that the Prime Minister will not make a statement in Parliament. As a result of this impasse, the Parliament is in a deadlock and the people of the country are frustrated.

Despair of exile

Parliament's deadlock, collapsed state government, reluctance to invoke Article 356, communal cleansing, constant riots, how much more does the country have to endure? The hopes of the freedom fighters of a multi-religious, multi-racial, multi-cultural and multi-lingual nation where freedom, equality and fraternity would prevail have been dashed.