Manipur crisis: Hectic lobbying on to install 'popular' government

A fresh bout of lobbying aimed at installing a “popular” government in Manipur has commenced, even as a looming threat of simmering Kuki-Naga tensions threatens to further complicate the already volatile situation.

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If left unresolved, this simmering discord over recent attack on Naga villagers allegedly by a Kuki armed group could add a new dimension to the ongoing unrest amidst no visible sign of positive change in the state’s law-and-order scenario during the last two months of President’s rule.

BJP MLAs camping in Delhi

A group of BJP MLAs, led by Th Radheshyam, is camping in New Delhi to seek an audience with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to implore them about the need to reinstate a democratically-elected government in the state, sources in the Manipur BJP told The Federal.

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The legislators camping in New Delhi are from the anti-Biren Singh camp, sources added. Another group of MLAs, who are reportedly from former Chief Minister Biren’s camp, called on Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at Raj Bhavan on Thursday evening (April 17). RK Imo, Kh Ibomcha, Karam Shyam, Dinganglung Gangmei and Usham Deben were part of the delegation that met the Governor. They apprised the governor of various issues of public interest, as per an official statement.

The delegation urged the Governor to restore free traffic movement on all the highways in the state, one of the MLAs, Deben, told the media.

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But sources said the MLAs also discussed with the Governor about the need to install a democratically elected government at the earliest and replace the present chief secretary PK Singh.

Another group of MLAs close to Biren reportedly met Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma recently to convey their displeasure about the functioning of the state government under the President’s Rule imposed on February 13.

Unabated extortion

The President’s Rule has failed to take any concrete steps towards resolving the ongoing ethnic conflict. The two major initiatives taken by the state’s current regime, headed by the Governor, ended in a fiasco. The state government’s decision to restore free movement of the public across the state last month led to a renewed spurt of violence last month, forcing the administration to stall its ambitious plan.

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Another of the initiatives, the first ever face-to-face meeting between the Meitei and the Kuki-Zo groups in presence of home ministry officials in New Delhi earlier this month too ended in a flop show.

Unabated extortion and the emergence of new frictions among communities are further making people disillusioned about the President’s Rule, raising the clamour for a democratically elected government.

A coalition of 16 civil society organisations called the People’s Progressive Alliance Manipur (PPAM) demanded the reinstatement of a popular government by next week.

“Armed groups both in the valley and the hills have unabated free run, deepening fear psychosis among innocent civilians,” a BJP leader stated, opting for anonymity.

He cited hurling of a grenade at the residence of Dr. Guruaribam Sunil Kumar Sharma, the Director of Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal and attacks on some Naga village leaders in Kangpokpi district earlier this month as the two latest glaring examples of how the armed groups continue to rule the roost.

In the first incident, no one was injured as the grenade did not explode. Though no outfit or individual claimed responsibility for the attack, needle of suspicion is towards the valley-based armed groups.

Meeting of Naga tribes

Armed militants, allegedly belonging to the Kuki community, swooped on a Naga-dominated Konsakhul village in Kangpokpi district on April 5 and assaulted several residents, including the village chief, the village chairman, and the local pastor. None of the culprits involved in the attack has been arrested, secretary of Konsakhul village said, adding the condition of the village chief is critical.

The attack was related to a land dispute that Konsakhul village allegedly had with neighbouring Kuki-dominated Haraothel village. It created outrage among the Naga community. The friction between the two communities continues to simmer.

A mammoth meeting, attended by over 1,000 delegates representing several Naga tribes, was held at Konsakhul village on Monday as a show of solidarity with the attacked villagers and to express concern over the development. The meeting adopted several “important resolutions”, sources said. They were not made public, considering the “sensitive nature” of the situation.

President of the Indigenous People's Forum Manipur (IPFM) Ashang Kasar has strongly condemned the violent attack, terming it a direct violation of Naga customary law and an attack on the dignity of indigenous people.

“Attacking the leaders of a Naga tribe is tantamount to targeting the entire Naga community. In our tradition, village chiefs and chairmen are accorded the highest respect,” Kasar told The Federal.

The United Naga Council (UNC), All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM) and Naga Women Union (NWU) also took strong exception to the development.

Kasar expressed concern that no attempt has been made by the administration to resolve the dispute through dialogue.

The Zeme Students’ Organization Manipur (ZSOM), the Rongmei Naga Students’ Organization Manipur (RNSOM), and the Liangmai Naga Katimai Ruangdi, Manipur (LNKR) on Friday urged the Governor and the administration concerned to book the culprits within five days and deliver justice at the earliest.

''Failure to do so will leave us with no option but to launch democratic forms of agitation, including blocking national highways and state highways within our jurisdiction, as a peaceful protest demanding justice,” they cautioned.

Anti-Biren camp's signature campaign

Last month, a curfew had to be imposed in Churachandpur district following a flare-up between two communities belonging to a larger Kuki-Zo fold.

Amidst these developments, the latest push by pro and anti-Biren camps to form the government assumes significance.

The anti-Biren camp reportedly once again started a signature campaign as a show of their strength. It is not yet known how many MLAs have endorsed the campaign.

The current strength of the Manipur state Assembly, which is in suspended animation, is 59. The BJP has 37 members. Its allies NPP has 6, NPF has 5, Independents and others have 6 members. The Congress has five members.

Despite having an overwhelming majority, the BJP-led alliance is unable to form a government as a consensus on a new leader remains elusive.

The latest bid to form the new government is triggered by an indication from the BJP’s Central leadership that the President’s Rule might be withdrawn from the state after the likely election of the party’s new national president by next month, BJP sources said.