The restoration of popular mandate by lifting of the President’s rule in Manipur, paving the way for an elected government, is a signal to the people that their grievances are being heard and that the Centre is keen to acknowledge any missteps that led to the resignation of then chief minister Biren Singh amid prolonged ethnic violence. The next step has already been outlined for the new chief minister, senior BJP leader Yumnam Khemchand Singh, on whose shoulder will rest the arduous task of fast-tracking effort to bridge the divide between the people in the valley and hill districts.
Khemchand, 62, a Taekwondo master, has an old school, liberal image, often appreciated for his organisational skills in the BJP, which is now looking for him to play a key role in removing the distrust towards the central government to carry forward the peace talks.
The choice of the chief minister and more importantly, the deputy chief ministers, Nemcha Kipgen from the Kuki community and Losii Dikho from the Naga community is a clear projection of the ruling BJP’s attempt to set its house in order. The attempt, though carefully stitched together as a political settlement, has led to questions being raised whether it is an attempt to politically accommodate the voices, that can dilute the demand for a Union Territory for the Hill districts, which can have possible repercussions in areas like Churachanpur.
The continued influence of the dominant Meitei community, in governance, may still be a sore point as families continue to remain dislocated in many parts of Manipur. The Nagas, who have by far remained neutral during the crisis, will remain critical to the peace talks going forward – a proposition that may not go down well with the other ethic groups in the Hills. So, while the political inclusion might have taken place in the people’s legislative assembly, it remains to be seen how the people of Manipur work with the BJP government towards long-term peace.
After Biren Singh’s resignation in February 2024, the state plunged into President’s rule with governor A.K. Bhalla, a former home secretary, focusing on restoration of law and order after large-scale violence and burning down of houses dislocated a large number of people living on both sides in the valley as well as the Hills in the tiny northeastern state following the ethnic clashes in May 2023. Another key task was to disarm civilians who had looted arms and ammunition from police armouries and contain the influence of insurgent groups.
While violence was contained over the last one year, government sources said prolonged governor’s rule in any state alienates people further. Local issues are adequately understood and addressed by an elected government, which is why the second step to restore normalcy has been taken. The day-to-day issues of governance also provide a buffer to the central government, which has come under sharp criticism for its inability to break the deadlock in the peace talks.
The peace talks that began between the Meitei and Kuki Zo communities, however, could not make much headway as the latter began demanding Union territory status for the hill districts. On the other hand, a large section of the Meitei community continued to rally in support of Biren Singh as well, demanding forest and land rights for valley people and accusing the other side of illegal drug trade and aiding illegal immigration.
