buzzerblog - Manipur’s Fragile Peace: Ill-Planned Actions Risk Further Unrest

 The recent violence in Manipur, resulting in the death of a Kuki protester and injuries to several others on March 8, has once again highlighted the tense situation in the state. The incident occurred when security forces attempted to clear blocked highways that have been closed for 22 months due to ongoing ethnic violence.

Highways: A Critical But Mishandled Issue

• The highways connecting Manipur to Nagaland and Churachandpur have been closed since the ethnic clashes began.
• The government, under Home Minister Amit Shah’s directive, sought to reopen these routes, but the Kuki community resisted, demanding autonomous administration before any negotiations.
• The failed attempt to send a bus convoy beyond Kangvai shows that security concerns persist, and communities remain deeply divided.

Challenges in the Government’s Strategy

1. Delayed and Rash Execution

   • Despite knowing the highways must be reopened, the government’s sudden urgency after 22 months of inaction suggests a lack of long-term planning.

2. Failure to Address Arms Proliferation

   • Weapons looted from Manipur Police and Reserve Battalions remain largely unrecovered, making any peace effort highly volatile.
   • A focused disarmament strategy should have been prioritized before attempting highway clearance.

3. Lack of Trust and Community Outreach

   • Deep-rooted mistrust between the Meitei and Kuki communities means that even if highways are technically open, safe passage is uncertain.
   • Local leaders and respected figures should have been engaged first to ensure community participation in peace efforts.

4. Troop Deployment Risks

   • A large number of security personnel will be needed to protect convoys, leaving fewer forces for law enforcement and disarmament.
   • Direct confrontations between troops and civilians could escalate tensions rather than ease them.

A More Effective Approach Needed

Instead of forcefully pushing through with reopening highways, the government should:
✅ Recover looted weapons to prevent further escalation.
✅ Engage local community leaders to build trust and consensus.
✅ Ensure security arrangements that protect both communities.
✅ Launch reconciliation initiatives to address grievances and prevent further violence.

Without proper planning and groundwork, the current approach risks further instability, making peace harder to achieve in the long run.