WITH TENSION between the majority Meitei community and Kuki-Zomi tribes in Manipur driving a wedge in the state unit of the BJP, the party central leadership is learnt to have given strict instructions to the warring factions to focus on bringing back normalcy in the state and avoid “overindulgence in petty politics”.
“Both sides have been asked to focus on bringing back normalcy in the state. The leadership is very upset with the shape the tension between the two groups has taken. The message they have been given: Focus on normalcy in the state, zyada rajneeti mat karo abhi (do not do too much politics),” said a leader familiar with the developments.
This came a day after Chief Minister N Biren Singh along with four senior state ministers met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi on Sunday. According to sources, Shah conveyed to them the central leadership’s displeasure over developments in the state and the way it was handled.
The meeting came close on the heels of the resurgence of a demand for a separate Kuki administration last week by all 10 BJP MLAs from the community. They include ministers Letpao Haokip and Nemcha Kipgen and also MLA Vunzagin Valte, the Chief Minister’s adviser, who suffered serious injuries in an attack by a mob during the recent violence in the state.
Sources said the BJP leadership assured both sides that their concerns and grievances would be addressed by the national leadership soon but the priority as of now should be on bringing back peace to the state.
On Monday, Chief Minister Singh said at a press conference in Imphal that Shah has assured that “territorial integrity of Manipur will be protected at all costs”.
This came on a day the BJP MLAs from the Kuki community wrote a letter to Shah, reiterating their demand.
“That Manipur is now partitioned is a ground reality… there are no tribals left in Imphal Valley…There are no Meiteis left in the hills. Our people have lost faith in the Manipur government and can no longer imagine settling in the valley where their lives are not safe,” the letter said. “The need now is formalisation of the separation through the setting up of a separation of administration for the hills inhabited by our own people.”
The violence, which broke out in Churachandrapur on May 3 during a rally by a tribal students’ group against the Meiteis’ demand for Scheduled Tribe status, and escalated into arson and riots across the state, has so far claimed 73 lives, officials said.
At the press conference, the Chief Minister said that Shah was briefed about the prevailing law and order situation in the state, specifically apprehensions about the alleged involvement of suspected militants [under the Suspension of Operation (SoO)] in the demand for a separate administration.
“We briefed Amit Shah on what is going on in Manipur, particularly the violation of ground rules by the SoO groups and also on the demand for separate administration put forward by some of the legislators,” Singh said. Shah, he said, stood firm that those violating the ground rules laid down under SoO will be “dealt with as per the law”.
In 2008, the Centre and Manipur government had signed a tripartite agreement with two umbrella Kuki rebel groups – the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the United People’s Front (UPF). This arrangement, which was renewed periodically, meant ending violence and hostilities and initiating a political dialogue.
However, in March, the Biren Singh-led government pulled out of the agreement with two groups (the Kuki National Army and the Zomi Revolutionary Army) part of the umbrella organisations, alleging that they were instigating agitations.
BJP sources in Delhi said that although the demands for a leadership change in the state are getting louder, especially from the Kuki MLAs and the community, the party wants more time to look into their grievances. The top leadership, they said, was also aware of the massive Meitei support Biren Singh enjoys. Any move to disturb him would have serious consequences, they said.
The balancing act was evident on Monday as Shah met representatives of the Kuki community from Manipur and civil society organisations from Mizoram. He assured them that the government would take all measures to protect all communities in the state and assured them justice. The meeting came a day after he met representatives of the Meitei community
“During the meetings, Shah reviewed the measures taken for restoring peace in Manipur that has witnessed violent clashes between two ethnic communities. He directed strict action against the perpetrators of violence and assured complete support and help of the central government for ensuring lasting peace,” said a statement issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Shah also urged for discussion with all factions and spread the message of peace.
Meanwhile, incidents of sporadic violence continued in the outskirts of Imphal bordering Kuki-dominated districts, security advisor to Manipur Government Kuldiep Singh said on Monday. At least two Assam Rifles personnel were injured in a shootout between armed miscreants and security forces in Torbung area on Sunday. The shootout followed after armed miscreants torched two houses in Torbung area of Bishnupur district.
Inputs from ENS, NEW DELHI
Manipur has recently witnessed violent clashes between the majority Meitei community and the Kuki-Zomi tribes, leading to at least 60 deaths. (File Photo/PTI) 
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