Manipur mayhem: mismanagement and the mute democracy
The Manipur conflict, marked by ethnic tensions and failures in governance, has drastically deteriorated over the last few years. Nestled in India’s northeastern region, Manipur is inhabited by diverse ethnic groups such as the Meitei, Naga, and Kuki communities, all competing for political and cultural supremacy.
The Manipuri socio-political scene has been traditionally embedded in a complex history of ethnic rivalries and political marginalization. This region was once a princely state before joining India in 1949, however, several Manipur ethnic groups were against the change. For example, the Naga community’s quest for increased autonomy has sparked decades of insurgency, as various factions strive for self-determination.
In May 2023, violent clashes erupted between the Meitei and Kuki communities after the Manipur High Court supported the Meitei’s demand for inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list. This decision alarmed the Kuki, who feared further marginalization as the Meitei, already politically dominant, would gain additional benefits. The resulting violence displaced over 60,000 people, highlighting the deep ethnic and political tensions in the state.
The Kuki-Naga Conflict of 1993 was a major occurrence that resulted in thousands of deaths and widespread displacement. This ethnic violence set the base for the lingering division that increased socio-political rifts. The sporadic interventions by the central government and omission in the form of inactive performance have left the conflict festering.
Schools and businesses were closed; this was a serious strike against the economy of the state. Agriculture and workers receiving daily wages suffered the most from this strike.
Despite New Delhi deploying 40,000 soldiers on 4 May and shutting down internet access in Manipur, violence persisted, making it difficult for residents to communicate or access services. Critics argue that these measures, along with curfews, only worsened the situation, deepening distrust between ethnic groups and the government.
Democracy rests on the pillars of peace, justice, and representation. But in Manipur, it would appear that each of these pillars is precariously weak. An integral part of democratic functioning is conflict resolution, which must be based on inclusive dialogue and equitable representation. The prevailing democratic framework has failed to provide scope for the alienated communities of Manipur to express their problems, leading to a breakdown of law and order.
The response from the Manipur state government has been fraught with criticism. Chief Minister N. Biren Singh’s administration was accused of reacting very sluggishly, allowing the violence to spiral before finally taking decisive action. Meanwhile, the central government’s involvement, though more articulate, came mainly as a reaction. The deployment of security forces and efforts to mediate between the warring factions occurred only after considerable damage had already been caused.
A report published by The Hindu in July 2023 said that even after the deployment of over 50,000 security personnel, violence continued unabated, implying an oversight failure both in law enforcement and the military. This disarray underlines the lack of coordination among local, state, and central government agencies, reflecting more profound institutional weaknesses.
The police in Manipur struggled to restore peace because ethnic loyalties often overpowered their actions. The local police reportedly failed to contain the mob violence, which further widened the chasm of public trust with allegations of human rights abuses. However, the judiciary showed little urgency in addressing ethnic discrimination complaints, as cases piled up unnoticed in the overwhelmed court system.
The failure of democratic institutions in Manipur is but a reflection of the deficiency of the governance structure that is not able to represent or address the concerns of its diverse population properly.
The Meitei community, which primarily resides in the Imphal Valley, holds around 40 out of 60 seats in the Manipur state legislature, giving them significant political power. Meanwhile, the hill-dwelling Kuki and Naga communities, despite occupying about 90 percent of the state’s land area, have fewer political seats, contributing to their underrepresentation. This political imbalance is one of the fundamental reasons for the ongoing violence, as the lack of representation for marginalized groups has fueled resentment. The 2023 protests were partly driven by fears within the Kuki community that their already fragile land rights and access to resources would be further weakened by the proposed addition of the Meiteis to the Scheduled Tribe list, exacerbating existing tensions.
This conflict has devastated the economy of Manipur. According to reports from the Manipur State Department, the state’s GDP declined by 2.3 percent in 2023, largely due to the stoppage of trade, agriculture, and tourism. Daily life has been thrown into disarray with markets shuttered and transportation rendered immobile. At a social level, the chasm between ethnic groups has increased, resulting in segregated living spaces, with growing feelings of alienation.
Reports began surfacing of human rights abuses, including arbitrary detentions, extrajudicial killings, and excessive use of force by security forces. Amnesty International expressed concerns over the situation of internally displaced people, especially among the Kuki ethnic group, many of whom continued to be stranded in refugee camps with limited access to basic services.
Similar conflicts elsewhere in India, particularly the insurgency in Kashmir, contain important lessons for Manipur. In both cases, local ethnic and religious tensions, along with governance
failures, have combined into a deadly spiral of violence. One key lesson is that consistent dialogue and federal involvement are imperative. For instance, in Kashmir, the so-called system of Panchayat Raj, though imperfect, has allowed local residents to have a greater say in a model worth emulating in Manipur.
South Africa’s attempt at post-apartheid reconciliation—truth and justice under a superstructure inclusive of political structures—provides the most cogent model for handling ethnic tension within democratic practice globally.
The Manipur conflict represents the colossal failure of both democratic governance and conflict resolution. Peace-building efforts, both immediate and long-term, are necessary to address the representational issue of justice for all ethnic groups. It is only the wish for an all-rounded transformation that can revive democracy to meet the needs of this very diverse population in Manipur.
