A delegation of 21 MPs from the opposition bloc “INDIA” has arrived in Manipur for a two-day visit with the primary goal of assessing the prevailing situation in the violence-ridden state. Wasting no time upon landing at the Imphal airport, the delegation promptly took helicopters provided by the state government to visit Churachandpur, an area recently marked by “fresh violence.”
“We have visited a total of 4 relief camps, 2 in Churachandpur, 1 in Imphal, and 1 in Moirang. Everyone desires peace and to rebuild their lives. We will meet with our second team, share our experiences, and tomorrow we will be meeting the Governor. Our visit to Manipur is aimed at understanding the expectations of the people, and we intend to reflect that in Parliament,” stated Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi.
This visit takes place amidst the opposition causing a stir in Parliament by placing a “no-confidence motion” against Prime Minister Modi. However, a neutral observer in Manipur expressed skepticism about the significance of such visits unless concrete actions are taken to address the core issues.
“I appreciate the MPs’ visit. I am glad pressures are mounting, but I am afraid the violence will persist,” the observer told this newspaper on the condition of anonymity, emphasizing that the Manipur state government has been inactive in halting the violence, and that there is still a great deal of “hate” within Manipur.
The observer continued, “The arrest of those four to five people involved in that particular viral video incident is just symbolic. The CM felt like he must take action because the entire world knows about it, and someone has to be held accountable for the incident. But till now, the State has done nothing to control the violence. These arrests are just a facade to show that they are trying to stop the violence when, in reality, the Chief Minister is not making any genuine efforts.”
Regarding the support Chief Minister Biren Singh enjoys within Manipur, the observer revealed that while some Meiteis and neutral observers desire his resignation, fear of repercussions from violent mobs silences them. “They cannot raise their voice because they get threatened that the mob will burn down their homes,” the observer added.
The observer also criticized the role of the Central government, stating that it appears to be “enjoying the show” rather than taking sincere measures to quell the violence. The observer asserted that the Centre possesses the necessary resources, including “intelligence agencies” to promptly end the violence if they were genuinely committed to doing so.
“If the Centre truly desires, it could put an end to this violence in less than 72 hours,” the observer claimed.
Furthermore, the observer suggested that the Centre’s inaction might be rooted in a strategy to exacerbate divisions among communities, allowing “insurgency-related issues” to fester while they sidestep addressing fundamental demands from such groups.
According to the observer, the Centre has placed the Assam Rifles and the Army “to show to the world that they are trying,” but he asserted that the AR and army have not been given full authority to control the violence.
He added that this sentiment is also shared by many other common observers at present.
“Many of us believe that the Centre does not care about separate administration nor care about any integration. They simply want the communities to keep busy fighting against each other, so they do not have to deal with the major issues which various revolutionary groups in the North East are demanding,” he also said.
In conclusion, the observer firmly stated that the violence will stop only if the CM resigns or the Centre intervenes, adding that there is no third alternative.
“This violence will not stop as long as Chief Minister Singh does not resign and the Centre does not intervene. There is no third alternative. The talk between the COCOMI and Singh is just another drama, and we do not see it as a negotiation towards peace. The only hope lies in people exerting enormous pressure on the government, and potential intervention from the Supreme Court,” he observed.