India, the world’s largest democracy, is now dealing with a terrible humanitarian catastrophe in Manipur, a state in the northeast area known as the “Seven Sisters.” The ethnic warfare between the Meitei and Kuki groups has burst into mayhem, killing hundreds, displacing thousands, and destroying villages. The crisis exposes underlying flaws in the country’s administration, military strategies, and ethnic policies, notably its approach to North-Eastern nations.
The silence of India’s central leadership, notably Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the lack of a coherent policy framework to confront the instability are striking. Despite having an annual defence expenditure of $85 billion, India’s military and law enforcement are helpless to stem the increasing bloodshed. Manipur is more than just a regional dispute; it is a microcosm of simmering tensions and governance failings that undermine India’s federal system.
The Crisis in Manipur: A Historical Context
To comprehend Manipur’s current predicament, one must consider the region’s larger historical and ethnic environment. Manipur is a state separated along clear ethnic lines, principally between the Meitei community, which lives in the fertile Imphal Valley and accounts for around 60% of the state’s population, and the Kuki and Naga tribal tribes, which live in the surrounding hills.
The current dispute between the Meiteis (mostly Hindu) and the Kukis (mostly Christian) stems from long-standing disagreements about land, resources, and political representation. This hostility erupted in May 2023, following a court ruling to enrol the Meiteis on the Scheduled Tribes (ST) list, which provides substantial political and economic benefits such as access to reserved government posts and school seats. The Kukis, who already felt marginalised, regarded this as a direct threat to their few resources, resulting in large protests that swiftly turned violent.
The Seven Sisters and India’s Ethnic Quagmire
The Northeastern area of India, known as the “Seven Sisters,” comprises seven states that have suffered from ethnic conflicts, separatist movements, and economic underdevelopment for decades. While each state has distinct obstacles, Manipur’s conflict is particularly severe because of its ethnic variety, topography, and history of insurgency. Manipur has long been a hotspot of insurgency, with numerous armed factions calling for autonomy or even independence. The Meitei-Kuki dispute is one of several simmering ethnic conflicts in the region. The government’s inability to address the underlying grievances—ethnic marginalisation, land conflicts, and a lack of economic opportunities—has fuelled separatist aspirations.
The complexity of recent attacks, including the employment of drones and military-grade weaponry by vigilante groups such as Arambai Tenggol and Meitei Leepun, suggests that the situation in Manipur has progressed much beyond a localised ethnic conflict. These gangs allegedly plundered state police armouries, rendering the security force paralysed and ineffectual.
Modi’s Silence and Governance Failures
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led administration and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have spoken on global forums about India’s democratic principles and increasing economic might, their reaction to the internal Manipur crisis has been slow and curiously silent. The lack of a clear policy declaration or involvement from the central government has cast severe doubt on the leadership’s commitment to resolving the problem. This silence is more than simply a lack of communication; it indicates a deeper reluctance to confront the complexity of ethnic violence and human rights violations occurring within the country’s boundaries.
The crisis has been ongoing for over a year and has claimed the lives of over 200 people and displaced 60,000 others, Modi’s government has failed to take effective action. The absence of a coordinated response from state and federal governments has only fuelled mistrust among impacted communities. Manipur’s Chief Minister, N. Biren Singh, has been chastised for his handling of the crisis, notably his inflammatory rhetoric against the Kuki people, which he refers to as “illegal immigrants” and “terrorists.” Such words deepen the issue and expose deep-seated prejudices among political leaders.
The Helplessness of India’s Military
Despite its vast $85 billion yearly budget, India’s military has mainly failed to stop the unrest in Manipur. This raises serious concerns regarding the deployment and effectiveness of the country’s defence forces in dealing with internal security challenges. The military has been charged with preserving peace in Manipur, but it has done nothing to prevent bloodshed or safeguard vulnerable people. The deployment of drones and modern weaponry by separatist and vigilante groups demonstrates a severe failure in information gathering and counter-insurgency efforts. It also reveals the profound corruption and inefficiency among the police and security services, which have been accused of standing by as violence raged. Reports of police involvement in abductions and gender-based violence undermine public faith in the state’s ability to safeguard its citizens.
The Humanitarian Crisis
Beyond the political and military failures, the situation in Manipur has devolved into a full-fledged humanitarian disaster. Relief camps for the displaced are in desperate need of essentials such as food, water, sanitation, and medical attention. The government’s reaction has been grossly inadequate, with many camps reliant on NGOs and local communities for assistance.
Amnesty International has criticized the Indian government’s failure to defend human rights in the region, pointing out that vigilante groups operate with impunity. While victims of abuse, particularly women, are denied justice. The state’s refusal to prosecute members of organisations like Arambai Tenggol and Meitei Leepun, who have been accused of heinous crimes like rape and murder, exemplifies the greater failure to enforce accountability and justice.
The Broader Implications
The inability to appropriately respond to the violence in Manipur also harms India’s international reputation as a stable democracy. The ethnic violence shows longstanding differences in the country, which have been compounded by the government’s unwillingness to confront the root causes of conflict. The growth of Hindu nationalism under Modi’s leadership has further marginalised minority populations, fostering suspicion and terror. As the world’s largest democracy, India is responsible for upholding human rights and protecting its inhabitants. However, the government’s passivity in Manipur, along with its persecution of opposition and attacks on journalists, suggests a concerning move towards authoritarianism.
Conclusion
The bloodshed in Manipur is a national disaster that demands prompt action. The Indian government’s failure to solve the situation indicates a greater incapacity to manage the country’s varied ethnic and cultural landscape. Modi’s quiet and the military’s ineffectiveness are indicative of a government that is either unwilling or unable to tackle the realities on the ground. If India wants to maintain its democratic values and global standing, it must take bold action to cease the violence, deliver justice to the victims, and rebuild confidence among its people.
