Less than a month after the imposition of President’s Rule on 13 February, Manipur witnessed violent clashes between the armed forces and masses of people, in which at least one person is reported to have died. These clashes took place following the resumption of bus services between the valley and the hills, ordered by the union Home Minister, in the name of ensuring “free movement of vehicles on the National Highways”.
The violent clashes which began on 3 May, 2023, has created a deep division between two regions within Manipur – namely, the Imphal valley in which most Meiteis live, and the part of the surrounding hills in which most Kuki-Zo people live. Kuki Zo’s living in Meitei dominated areas in the valley, and Meitei’s living in Kuki Zo dominated areas in the surrounding hills, have been forced to abandon their homes and move to refugee camps. Hundreds of people have been killed over the past 21 months. About 65,000 people are estimated to have been displaced.
What was the need to resume bus services when the people themselves have not yet started travelling freely between the two areas? It is reported that the Manipur State Transport buses which plied on the Imphal-Kangpokpi-Senapati route went without any passengers. Empty buses also plied on the Bishnupur-Churachandpur-Imphal route. Some of these buses, accompanied by central paramilitary troops, were met with large numbers of protesters who threw stones at the security forces.
The main reason why people came on the streets to protest the resumption of bus services is that the people do not trust those in power. They have no faith that the armed forces of the Indian state will provide them with security.
All available facts point to the conclusion that the anarchy and violence which engulfed Manipur in this period was not a spontaneous clash between two sections of the people. It was incited and organised by those in power. It is not possible for various groups on both sides to have acquired thousands of machine guns, bombs and other sophisticated weapons without the involvement of those in power.
In an audio tape of a meeting with security forces, which was leaked in August 2024, the then Chief Minister Biren Singh boasted about using bombs and instructed the chiefs of security forces to use explosives without revealing their hand. While the Chief Minister has accused his rivals of doctoring the tape, it is common knowledge amongst all sections of the people in Manipur that the Chief Minister played an active role in inciting and organising the sectarian violence.
For 20 months, the Central government defended the Biren Singh government, claiming that it was working to restore peace. Ultimately, Biren Singh was forced to resign after his nefarious role became exposed in the people’s eyes.
Following the imposition of President’s Rule, Home Minister Shah ordered the resumption of bus service between the valley and the hills, as if conditions have been normalized. This shows that the central government is only interested in boasting how “normalcy has been restored” while it has no real concern for the safety of the people, because it knew only too well what the effect of resuming bus services would be. It actually wants the anarchy and violence to continue.
The people of Manipur, including the Meiteis, Kuki Zos and Nagas, have been the victims of state terrorism for many decades. They have been victims of the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act, which permits the armed forces to shoot and kill anyone on mere suspicion. They have fought unitedly against state terrorism, in defence of the democratic rights and human rights of all the people of Manipur.
The sectarian violence that began in May 2023 is aimed at destroying the unity of the people of Manipur. It is aimed at setting different sections of the people against each other and diverting all of them from their common struggle against their common enemy, which is the Indian ruling class.
Manipur belongs to all her people — Meiteis, Nagas, Kuki Zos, as well as others who have made it their home. The nation of Manipur includes all these people. The Indian ruling class and its parties do not respect the rights or even recognize the existence of various nations, nationalities, and peoples within India. They sow suspicion, incite hatred and organise communal and sectarian violence, in order to make people fight each other based on their religion and caste. The people of Manipur, whether they be Meiteis, Kuki Zos, Nagas, or any other, and whether they are Hindus, Christians, Muslims or do not follow any religion, must unite against the nefarious plans of the Indian ruling class to smash their unity.