The basic features of ethnic conflict must be understood to find a solution to Manipur’s crisis
Posted on – Wed Jun 28 23 12:15am
The chaos in Manipur has exposed a depressing trend in which moderate and reasonable voices are being marginalized while extremist positions on both sides of the racial divide are dominating. The foothold of neutral voices advocating a policy of mutual compromise and sympathy is shrinking. A long-delayed all-party meeting last week by Union Home Minister Amit Shah failed to come up with any viable solutions as the northeastern state continued to burn. More than 100 people were killed and 40,000 displaced due to widespread arson and destruction. The BJP is in power both in the center and in Manipur, but the political leadership and the much-touted “Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas” model of governance has completely collapsed. Mistrust grew between the warring Metais and Koukis. The deployment of the army and paramilitary personnel failed to contain the violence. Opposition parties rightly questioned Prime Minister Modi’s silence on the unrest. This crisis requires a long-term strategy to reassure communities that they are socially, culturally and economically safe. Finding optimal solutions remains elusive unless the underlying characteristics of ethnic conflict (historical baggage) are understood. The only way to achieve peace is through dialogue in a spirit of forgiveness and commitment to peace.
Further delays in finding a negotiated solution risk radical groups taking over political space quickly vacated by state and local bureaucracies. There are many factors contributing to this explosive situation. Racial discord is fueled by fears of loss of cultural, social and land rights, contested histories, illegal immigration, rebellion, drug trafficking and poppy cultivation. The ongoing unrest was directly sparked after the Manipur High Court directed the state to consider adding the Metai, who are mainly Hindus, to the list of registered tribes. The Kuki people, who are mostly Christian, feel threatened because the move will pave the way for Metais to own land in forests and mountains and find jobs at their expense. The crisis has been exacerbated by long-running disputes between immigrants and indigenous peoples. The desire to balance all communities must be the focus of efforts to restore normalcy. The issues involved are too many and too complicated. A zero-sum approach is unlikely to work; instead, flexibility of ideas will be key. Warring parties must acknowledge changing realities and be willing to accept proposals that are in the national and national interest. The measures announced by the center — the establishment of a peace council, judicial investigations, unified command of security forces, aftermath measures and clean-up operations — are aimed at short-term goals of quelling popular anger.
