MANIPUR
VIOLENCE – INTERNAL SECURITY
News:
Home Minister Amit Shah
appeals for 15-day peace in Manipur
What's
in the news?
●
Union Home Minister Amit Shah met with
Kuki civil society groups in Manipur’s Churachandpur district and appealed for
15-day peace in the violence-hit state.
Key
takeaways:
●
Trouble in Manipur began with protests
against a High Court order seeking the inclusion
of the Meitei community into the State’s Scheduled Tribe list, but soon
turned violent with representatives of the Kuki-Zomi community including BJP
MLAs seeking a “separate administration”.
●
Friction
between the Kuki community and the Meiteis over the demand
for Scheduled Tribe status for the dominant Meitei community took a violent
turn.
●
Many tribals, mostly Kukis, were stranded
in the Imphal area whereas several Meiteis were stranded in Churachandpur and
the Hill districts.
●
The Centre is likely to announce a
judicial inquiry commission headed by a retired Supreme Court judge to probe
the violence in Manipur.
Factors
leading to Manipur violence:
1.
Demand for Scheduled Tribe status:
●
The Manipur high court recently asked the
state government to send a recommendation to the Centre on the Meiteis demand
for Scheduled Tribe status, which has triggered protests by tribal groups
fearing a loss of reservation benefits.
2.
Land issues:
●
The Meitei community, which is numerically
in the majority, mainly inhabits the Imphal Valley, accounting for just a tenth
of the state’s total land area. The competition for land and resources has
intensified tensions between the Meiteis and hill tribes.
3.
Historic tensions:
●
Longstanding tensions between hill tribes
and Meiteis in Manipur have contributed to the unrest, as both communities vie
for political representation, resources, and cultural recognition.
4.
Governance issues:
●
The government’s handling of the
situation, such as the suspension of mobile internet and the application of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act
(AFSPA), has been disruptive and has not effectively addressed the root
causes of the unrest.
5.
Lack of economic development:
●
Economic underdevelopment in the region
has exacerbated inter-ethnic tensions, as communities compete for scarce
resources and opportunities.
Implications
of Manipur violence:
1.
Border vulnerability:
●
The unrest in Manipur could lead to
increased cross-border criminal activities such as smuggling, drug trafficking, and illegal arms trading. This could
make the region’s borders more vulnerable and affect overall security.
2.
Growth of militancy:
●
Prolonged unrest could provide fertile
ground for militant groups to expand their influence and recruit more people,
leading to a rise in extremist activities and further destabilizing the
region.
3.
Strained relations with neighbouring countries:
●
The unrest in Manipur could have
implications for India’s relations with neighbouring countries like Myanmar,
Bangladesh, and China.
●
Increased
refugee flows and cross-border crimes can strain relations and
hinder diplomatic efforts in the region.
4.
Hindrance to economic development:
●
Persistent unrest could deter investment and hinder economic
development in the region, leading to increased unemployment and poverty, which
in turn could feed into more instability and security challenges.
5.
Challenges to India’s Act East Policy:
●
The unrest in Manipur could impact India’s
Act East Policy, which aims to boost economic and strategic ties with Southeast
Asia.
●
Ensuring peace and stability in the
Northeast region is essential for the success of this policy and for India’s
broader strategic interests.
6.
Internal displacement:
●
Unrest in Manipur may lead to the
large-scale internal displacement of people, putting pressure on neighbouring
states and resources. This could create additional tensions between various
ethnic groups and communities, further complicating regional security.
7.
Human rights violations:
●
Prolonged unrest may result in human
rights violations, attracting international attention and criticism. This could
affect India’s image and its ability to advocate for human rights and
democratic values in the region and beyond.
8.
Impact on social cohesion:
●
The unrest in Manipur can deepen ethnic,
religious, and social divisions, weakening social cohesion and harmony. This
may lead to long-term challenges for regional security and peacebuilding
efforts.