The 3 days economic blockade of kangkokpi district in Manipur, by the kuki groups, is surprising and hinting at developments far more complex than that is reported.
On the 19th this month, less than a week after prime minister Narendra Modi visited the state after 28 months of fratricidal violence, unknown miscreants ambushed an Assam rifle convoy killing two jawans.
Strangely both kuki and meiti groups denied any involvement and blamed each other for it. The ambush took place within kuki areas, in Nambol, suggesting kuki involvement.
Today they tried to absolve themselves of it, and announced an economic blockade against it, saying that the government even under President rule, could not identify or catch the perpetrators after more than 48 hours.
The Assam rifles was at the forefront of law and order maintenance in 2023 when the violence began and faced many attacks, and instances where the militants looted its weapons.
It was subsequently withdrawn from the operations. This exhibition of support for the Assam rifles, and may be the army, while refusing the home minister’s advice of removing barriers and allowing free movement as the first step towards peace are both significant.
This is actually a no-confidence motion against the home ministry, and support for the army.
This also highlights the tokenism that the prime minister’s visit was. Even bjp MLAs from kuki region are expressing their disappointment, saying they were denied any appointment, even a brief one, to convey the issues on ground.
His 4 hour visit, seemed more as addressing the larger national and international audience, where he faced increasing criticism over his handling of the Manipur crisis. He has failed to appreciate the complex ethnic fabric of state, and any attempt at shortcuts would only deepen the fault lines.
It may also hint at divisions amongst the security forces, especially the army and the police.
