Manipur needs neutrality, justice, equality

Manipur, a northeastern state that once symbolised India's rich cultural diversity, is now a battlefield of anger, hate, and bloodshed.

- SAVIO RODRIGUES

The ongoing conflict, simmering for the past 19 months, has escalated into one of the most brutal phases of violence in recent memory over the past 15 days. Women and children have been massacred, homes in villages torched, and communities torn apart by an escalating cycle of ethnic hatred and targeted violence.

Beneath this visible conflict lies a dangerous cocktail of transnational terrorism, separatist agendas, and the growing influence of the narcotics trade, which has turned Manipur into a theatre of chaos.

Resolving this crisis demands a multi-pronged strategy that balances neutrality, justice, and equality in governance while addressing the external forces that are stoking the flames. It requires forceful action against terrorism and the drug trade, along with efforts to rebuild trust among Manipur's divided communities.

The roots of the Manipur conflict run deep, embedded in decades of ethnic tension between the Meiteis in the valley and the Kuki-Zomi and Naga tribes in the hill districts. Historical grievances over land rights, cultural identity, and political representation have long plagued the state. However, in the last 19 months, these tensions have spiralled into full-blown violence, driven by growing polarisation, mistrust, and external meddling.

The last 15 days have witnessed a horrifying escalation, with reports of CRPF camp being attacked, villages being attacked, women raped, children massacred, and families displaced. This carnage is not just the result of ethnic animosities but a calculated attempt to destabilise the region by forces that thrive on chaos.

One of the most insidious forces behind this conflict is the narcotics lobby. Manipur's strategic location along the India-Myanmar border has made it a hub for drug trafficking, particularly heroin and methamphetamine.