Violent Clashes

Since early May, the northeastern Indian state of Manipur has been rocked by a series of violent clashes between the Meitei people, a majority that lives in the Imphal Valley, and minority Kuki tribals. The violence has left nearly 100 dead and valuable property destroyed. The Supreme Court has declared it a “purely law and order issue,” but opposition parties have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his intervention.

The situation in Manipur is complex and involves multiple actors. On one side are the Meitei people, who make up most of Manipur’s population and live in the Imphal Valley; on the other are minority Kuki tribals. In addition, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has been accused of taking assistance from some Kuki groups to win the 2017 Manipur election.

The gravity of this situation cannot be overstated: eleven people have been shot dead and fourteen injured in just one fresh outbreak of ethnic violence alone. Three delegations from violence-struck Manipur have even visited New Delhi to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but he has yet to take any action or make any statement regarding this crisis.

“I never imagined my life would take this turn. I never wanted to touch guns. My goals and my dreams have all shattered because of the crisis. I have my home and my family to protect now,” said Chochoan, a post-grad student living in bunkers to protect himself while studying for exams.

India’s National Security

The ongoing unrest and violence in the northeastern state of Manipur, India, is raising serious concerns about the country’s national security and the potential for further instability in the region. As ethnic tensions continue to escalate, the threat of violence spilling over into other regions of India becomes increasingly likely, necessitating a robust and proactive response from the Indian government and military.

“We have to protect our lives and our families. We are defending ourselves from militants. Men between 18 and 45 years of age are defending the villages. The older men are patrolling the area. The women are looking after children and cooking for the volunteers,” said 48-year-old Bobby Singh, an ex-serviceman.

Manipur has long been a hotbed of insurgency and ethnic conflict, fueled by a complex web of historical grievances, political rivalries, and socio-economic disparities. The recent surge in clashes between the various ethnic tribes and militant groups operating in the area has resulted in significant loss of life, displacement of civilians, and the authorities’ imposition of draconian security measures. This volatile situation not only undermines the Indian government’s efforts to foster peace and development in the region but also poses a direct challenge to its authority and legitimacy.

The ongoing unrest in Manipur represents a potent threat to India’s internal security apparatus. The proliferation of armed groups and the porous nature of the country’s borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh create a fertile ground for transnational criminal networks, arms smuggling, and human trafficking. Furthermore, the potential for external actors, such as China, to exploit these vulnerabilities and foment instability for their own strategic purposes cannot be discounted.

The risk of violence spreading to other regions of India is also a cause for alarm. Given the country’s diverse ethnic makeup and history of communal tensions, the situation in Manipur could serve as a catalyst for similar outbreaks of violence in other parts of the country. This would place immense strain on India’s security forces, stretching their resources thin and potentially undermining their ability to respond effectively to external threats.

Modi’s Move

To mitigate these risks, the Indian government must adopt a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach that addresses the root causes of the conflict in Manipur while also strengthening its security posture in the region.

A renewed focus on political dialogue and reconciliation is essential. By engaging with local stakeholders, including tribal leaders, civil society organizations, and militant groups, the Indian government can foster greater trust and cooperation, paving the way for a sustainable peace process that addresses the underlying grievances driving the conflict.

The Indian military should also start to step in by enhancing its presence and capabilities in the region, focusing on border security and counter-insurgency operations. This will require increased investment in training, equipment, intelligence-gathering assets, and closer coordination with regional partners and international allies.

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** For a deep dive into how the government of Northern India is run, click here.