That Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not visited a state torn apart by ethnic violence, in which over 250 people have lost their lives and thousands have been displaced, for more than two years, has created a conspicuous absence. The Centre intervened in Manipur, albeit unsuccessfully, going on to impose President’s Rule earlier this year, after removing N Biren Singh as chief minister. But the prime minister stayed away. It is welcome that this may now change, if belatedly, with reports suggesting that he will visit the northeastern state later this month following his trip to Assam and Mizoram.
The violence has taken a high toll and the state has also suffered from the Centre’s apparent neglect since May 2023. In Parliament, too, the continuing crisis was not given its due attention during the Budget session in April: It was allotted barely 41 minutes, and that too in the dead of night, after 14 hours of debate and voting on the Waqf Bill. It is in this context that people on both sides of the divide in the state express a loss of faith in the institutions responsible for keeping the peace. Sections have arrogated to themselves the power to take up arms, leading to a vicious cycle that has made it harder to achieve a resolution that lasts. Now, the PM’s proposed trip provides an opening to build on the current lull in the violence and to initiate fresh negotiations between the Centre and Kuki militant groups (under the Suspension of Operations agreement) aimed at the free movement of people and goods. Of course, there are deep structural problems that will not be solved overnight: Roughly 3,000 looted arms still unaccounted for; nearly 57,000 people residing in over 280 relief camps; the continued absence of a popular government.
The violence that erupted more than two years ago exposed fault lines that had been widening for years. President’s Rule and the removal of an unpopular chief minister were necessary measures, but the Centre failed to build on them. It must be hoped that the Prime Minister’s visit becomes a significant step towards rebuilding trust and restoring a political process that alone can lead the state back to normalcy. At the very least, it will send a message to the people of the besieged state that the nation acknowledges their crisis, and that the fact that it continues is a scar on its conscience.
