Manipur Unrest: Protests Erupt After Arrest of Radical Group Leader
The Manipur unrest has sparked widespread criticism of the government's handling of the situation, with opposition leaders calling for greater action to be taken to restore peace and stability in the region. As the death toll continues to rise and thousands remain displaced, the need for a lasting solution to the conflict has never been more urgent.
Violence has gripped India's northeastern state of Manipur, with protests and clashes between security forces and demonstrators erupting after the arrest of Asem Kanan Singh, the self-styled "army chief" of the Meitei group Arambai Tenggol, on charges of involvement in various criminal activities related to Manipur violence in 2023.
The arrest, made at Imphal airport, triggered a 10-day "total shutdown" announced by the group, with prohibitory orders and internet services suspended for five days in several districts. Confrontations between security forces and protesters have left multiple people injured, adding to the growing tensions in the region. The Centre is expected to hold talks with a Kuki-Zo group under the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement with the government, amid opposition from Meitei groups.
The ongoing violence is part of a long-standing ethnic conflict between the predominantly Hindu Meitei majority and the mainly Christian Kuki community over competition for land and public jobs. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 250 people in the past two years, with thousands more displaced and places of worship destroyed. The situation has been exacerbated by the arrest of five members of the Arambai Tenggol group, which triggered clashes between protesters and security forces.
Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Jairam Ramesh have criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not visiting Manipur despite renewed violence, accusing him of abandoning the state and neglecting his constitutional duties. They have questioned why peace has not been restored despite central governance, citing the large number of deaths and displaced people. The BJP has been accused of failing to govern responsibly after engineering a majority in the 2022 Assembly elections, leading to ethnic violence that began on May 3, 2023.
As the situation in Manipur continues to deteriorate, it remains to be seen how the Centre will address the ongoing violence and work towards restoring peace in the region. The talks with the Kuki-Zo group under the SoO agreement may provide a glimmer of hope, but much work needs to be done to address the underlying issues driving the conflict and to ensure that the rights and interests of all communities in Manipur are protected.