After ethnic violence broke out in Manipur, the central government sent in hordes of paramilitary and security forces. Never before had Manipur seen such a heavy deployment of central forces, not even during the height of insurgency in the state in the 80s and 90s. They had a mandate and clear orders to do whatever it can to suppress insurgent activities then. They were also specially empowered by the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958. But this time, we are not exactly sure whether the newly inducted companies drawn from various paramilitary forces were given a clear mandate and a strategy to quell the violence as most of them stood and watch as the violence surrounded them.
As for the security forces, it is a different story altogether as they keep their strategies close to their chest. But it is a known fact that people in the valley are suspicious of their motives and strategy while they are being loved by the Kuki community. They want the truce with the Kuki militants through the SoO agreement to remain in place, while they wanted AFSPA to be brought back in the valley once again. Both these twin objectives have been achieved, whether through the demands of the Kuki leaders and CSOs or by sheer pressure of the security establishment.
Now let us talk about the impact of fresh infusion of central paramilitary forces in the state after May 2023. More than 200 companies of central forces were pumped in besides those already stationed in the state. But nothing was achieved as the violence remained out of control. But state expenditure to maintain the central forces went through the roof. And most companies went away after elections were announced in various states.
Now after fresh violence broke out in Jiribam, Centre once again decided to induct 70 more CAPF companies. Were they given new instructions to adequately deal with the situation? We thought, they were indeed given new orders when CRPF struck a deathly blow to Kuki militants spreading terror in Jiribam. After they managed to eliminate 11 outstation militants in Jiribam district, Kuki CSOs struck back by boycotting CRPF in all areas dominated by Kukis. Then, the Director General of CRPF landed in Manipur and assured them that no ‘such’ incident would happen again after hectic negotiations. Now, we are finding it difficult to believe that CRPF would act with neutrality in dealing with the security situation and menace of Kuki militancy in the Kuki areas.
The Chief Minister hails the fresh induction of CAPF by the Union Home Minister while the Security Advisor boasts of 288 CAPF companies in place right now. They are talking of their deployment in fringe areas and ongoing combing operations to weed out subversive elements. They would claim that, combing operations would happen in both the valley and hills. But it remains to be seen how they are going to deal with the Kuki militants with SoO cover during the operations. When the commanders of security forces and paramilitary forces move around in the hills to directly deal with the instigators, justice both ways would remain a mirage in the present conflict.
(The views expressed are personal)
