Recently, a video went viral that shook the entire country. The video was from Manipur, showing a horrifying scene of brutality, sexual harassment, and other forms of inhumanity inflicted upon two women belonging to the Kuki tribe of Manipur by some unruly young men. This shameful video not only tarnishes the dignity and honor of our nation but also compels us to ponder why such heinous incidents, whether in Manipur or in other parts of the country like Malda, Bihar, or elsewhere, continue to occur.

Let’s focus on the recent incident that happened in Manipur and understand the reasons responsible for this shocking incident. One of the primary reasons is related to the demand from the Meitei community in Manipur to grant them Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. The Kuki community opposes granting ST status to the Meitei people, as they believe it would affect their job opportunities and other benefits. They also argue that Meiteis are not eligible for reservation rights. As per reports the recent violence in Manipur flared up, particularly after the Manipur High Court’s order to include the Meitei community in the ST category, prompting the state government to seek directions from the central government. This very order actually fueled the unrest.

Another reason is the revoking of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in certain regions. This has left the security forces legally handicapped and hesitant to take strict actions against troublemakers, firebrands and agitators. The interference of external forces also contributes to the situation. It is reported that China and Myanmar fuel the insurgent groups in Manipur, supplying them with weapons and destabilizing the region’s security. The cultivation of opium and the rise of narco-terrorism have also worsened Manipur’s problems, with illegal incursions from Myanmar.

The Kuki community, living in the hills, is said to be involved in opium cultivation. Unemployment is high in the region, especially in hilly areas, leading unemployed youths to turn to opium cultivation. With the permeable borders and continuous infiltration, the situation has escalated further. It is also known that Myanmar has been a source of constant illegal entry-point for intruders.Continuous infiltration from Myanmar has been on the rise. People coming from Myanmar find it easy to hide in mountainous areas and are welcomed by local communities. These people often resort to opium cultivation for employment, which has led to conflicts over land and resources. The Kuki community is accused of aiding illegal immigrants, which has further exacerbated the struggle over land and resources.

Since the formation of the government in Manipur in 2017, the BJP has been attempting to curb opium cultivation and infiltration in the state. The state government first gathered information about opium cultivation through the use of drones and then started efforts to destroy the crops. The Kuki community felt that this would deprive them of their livelihood, which led to their discontent. Again, some active extremist groups, funded by external sources, are trying to create a separate country by combining parts of Bangladesh, southern Myanmar, and Manipur.

There have been incidents of violence in Manipur, including the burning of forest department offices and checkpoints in the Kuki-dominated areas during the past few years. The forest department offices were targeted because most information related to opium cultivation and drug trafficking was stored there. It is also reported that a video of heinous murder of a minor girl from the Meitei community by some Kuki extremists was circulated on the internet, and in retaliation, the Meitei community later resorted to violence.

I recall an incident from the 1980s when I attended a literary workshop as a Resource Person organized by the Central Hindi Directorate in Imphal/Manipur. During the welcome speech, the local organizers advised all participants not to leave the hotel after 7 pm because the environment was not safe due to sporadic ethnic disturbances.

This incident is evidence that Manipur, like Kashmir, has been troubled and restless for a long time, and none of our governments have implemented effective measures to improve the social and political situation there. Another concern is the rampant blowout of controversial, misleading, and provocative content on social media by anti-social elements, causing disunity, unrest, and madness. It is challenging to determine what is true and what is false in the widely circulated content. Therefore, there is a need to strengthen and enforce the code of conduct to investigate such controversial, misleading, and provocative content posted on various social platforms.

While we may be thrilled by the idea of Chandrayaan3 reaching the moon, the harsh and inhumane events happening under the Sun also deeply disturb and agitate us. Manipur is currently going through one of its most challenging periods of ethnic, religious, and socio-economic crisis. Therefore, it should be a priority for the government of the day to establish stability and harmony in the region.

– Dr.Shiben Krishen Raina, Former Fellow,

IIAS,Shimla,H.P(India),

Currently in Bengaluru(Karnataka)