Why absence of violence can’t be Manipur’s ‘normal’

The state of Manipur is back in the news. Violence has erupted once again. The reason? Same as last time – a crime from the past has surfaced online.

Here’s what happened this week: Manipur’s government lifted its Internet ban and the state went online after five months. Immediately pictures of two students – a 17-year-old girl and a 20-year-old boy – began to circulate. The two had gone missing on July 6. The families did approach the police and a complaint was filed two days later on July 8 but there was no progress. The cops said both students had gone into a Kuki-dominated area and after that, no one saw them.

Now, the Kukis are a tribal group in Manipur and are locked in a violent faceoff with another community – the Meitis. More than 170 people have died so far and this week the two missing students joined that list.

The viral pictures showed their dead bodies – the male student was reportedly beheaded, and the girl student was allegedly raped. As these pictures spread, so did violence. Hundreds of people took to the streets. They marched towards the chief minister’s residence, a stand-off followed, security officials used tear gas and smoke bombs and at least 50 students were injured, some were hospitalised.

What’s the plan? 

The chief minister has condemned the twin murder and transferred the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). A special CBI team has already arrived in Manipur. Also, Internet connections have been cut again. The idea is to stop provocative content from being shared. But then again, how long can the ban continue? The first ban lasted for five months. Yet, the moment it was lifted, violence resumed. The government needs to understand this risk.

Around 30 people are still reported missing in Manipur. That’s the official count. We don’t know what has happened to these people. If they are kidnapped, tortured, or worse… so the fear is obvious. What if more such videos emerge? What if this violence becomes cyclical? That’s the big worry.

The government has decided to keep up the pressure. They have extended the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in parts of Manipur. AFSPA gives additional powers to the army and the central forces – to engage and arrest without warrants. While the hill areas are under AFSPA, the valley remains under the state police.

A new strategy 

There is also talk of a new military strategy. They are calling it – one district, one force – which means each paramilitary force will be given districts. Say the CRPF for one district, the army for another. Basically, there will be no overlapping. The idea is to boost cooperation and accountability.

A new threat? 

Manipur already has 40,000 security personnel spread across the state so resource is not the problem, but outside influence could be.

A recent meeting in Canada has Indian intelligence worried. Khalistani separatists hosted a Manipur tribal leader at a gurudwara recently. Reports say, he spoke about minority issues in India. Should New Delhi be worried about this? The details are sketchy right now. We don’t know how deep this nexus is, or if a nexus exists at all. But either way, it’s proof of the uphill battle.

The government says things are slowly returning to normal, but what does normal look like? The absence of violence is not normal. This episode is the perfect example of that. Manipur lifted the internet ban thinking things had improved but all it took was one picture; one picture and the violence resumed. What does that tell you? That the ethnic divisions are yet to disappear. That the wounds have not healed. Only a comprehensive peace process can bring normalcy to Manipur. The government has promised that. It’s now time to deliver.