Vikrant Shekhawat : Dec 15, 2024, 08:22 AM
Manipur Violence: For the last 19 months, Manipur has been facing a serious ethnic conflict, which has pushed the state into a trough of unrest and uncertainty. So far, more than 250 people have lost their lives and thousands have been displaced in this violence that started on May 3, 2023.Background of ethnic conflictManipur's ethnic diversity, which was once considered its strength, has now become a cause of division and conflict. The decades-old dispute between the Meitei community of the Imphal Valley and the Kuki community settled in the hilly areas flared up in May 2023. The spark of violence took a terrible turn after the "Ekta March" in protest demanding Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the majority Meitei community. This conflict has not only caused loss of life and property, but has also deeply hurt social and cultural relations.Recent incidents and atmosphere of panicRecently, two laborers were shot dead in Kakching district, which again escalated the tension. After this incident, there is an atmosphere of panic among the local people, and tension prevails in various parts of the state. In these circumstances, normal life has been badly affected, and people are deeply concerned about security.Amit Shah's statement and government strategyUnion Home Minister Amit Shah described the violence in Manipur as an "ethnic conflict" and said that it is different from terrorism or religious issues. Shah said that Manipur has a long history of ethnic violence, and it is not a new problem. However, he claimed that the situation is improving. His statement indicates an attempt to strike a balance between the efforts of the government and the allegations of the opposition.The government has taken various steps to control the situation, including peace talks and deployment of security forces. However, despite these efforts, incidents of violence have not completely ended, which shows that more concrete steps are needed to find a solution to the problem.Challenges towards a solutionThe following steps must be taken by the state and central governments to end the violence in Manipur:Extensive dialogue process: Continuous dialogue with leaders from both sides is necessary to rebuild trust between the Meitei and Kuki communities.Focus on social development: Equality and harmony among communities must be promoted through improvements in education, health, and infrastructure.Ensuring security: The deployment of security forces in the affected areas must be made more effective, so that the confidence of the citizens can be restored.Permanent solution: The root causes of ethnic conflict must be studied and permanent and equitable policies must be formulated.The future of ManipurThe ongoing violence in Manipur is a matter of concern not only for the state but for the entire country. It is clear that this problem cannot be solved overnight, but a permanent solution is definitely possible with political will and mutual understanding between communities.Now is the time for the government, political parties, and civil society to take concrete and practical steps to rescue Manipur from this crisis. Manipur needs a new beginning to return to the path of peace and development.