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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 21st March 2025

Home / UPSC / Current Affairs / Manipur’s long road to recovery

Manipur’s long road to recovery

Why in News:

The Manipur crisis, marked by ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, led to President’s Rule, with the government implementing a 13-point roadmap for peace, disarmament, and economic recovery.

Manipur’s long road to recovery

Introduction

  • The ongoing ethnic conflict in Manipur, which began in May 2023, has displaced over 62,000 people and led to large-scale violence, extortion, and economic collapse.
  • The Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities remain deeply divided, with buffer zones and security forces attempting to maintain order.
  • On February 13, 2025, the State was placed under President’s Rule following a political crisis, with a roadmap being developed to restore peace and rehabilitate displaced communities.

Ethnic and Political Landscape of Manipur

Ethnic Composition and Geography

  • Meitei Community (64% of the population): Primarily Hindu, concentrated in the valley region, which covers only 10% of Manipur’s land area but holds 40 Assembly seats.
  • Kuki-Zo and Naga Communities: Predominantly Christian, inhabiting the hill districts, which make up 90% of the State’s land area but have only 20 Assembly seats.

Political Developments Leading to President’s Rule

  • February 9, 2025: Chief Minister N. Biren Singh was summoned to Delhi amidst rising tensions within the BJP-led government.
  • February 13, 2025: The State Assembly was dissolved, and Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla took charge under President’s Rule.

Security Situation

  • 288 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) are deployed.
  • Buffer zones separate the Meitei-dominated valley and Kuki-Zo-inhabited hills, secured by the Army and CAPF but not the State Police.

Key Issues and Government Response

Displacement and Relief Camps

  • Over 62,000 people remain in relief camps under poor living conditions, lacking privacy, healthcare, and basic amenities.
  • Both Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities demand safe return to their homes, but mutual distrust remains high.

Security and Arms Surrender

  • Looted Police Weapons: Since May 2023, over 6,020 weapons and lakhs of rounds of ammunition were stolen, mostly from Meitei-dominated areas.
  • Post-President’s Rule Crackdown:
    • February 20, 2025: Governor urged armed groups to surrender weapons within seven days.
    • By March 6, 2025: 1,063 weapons, 15,027 rounds of ammunition, and 684 IEDs were surrendered.
    • 90 individuals arrested for extortion-related activities.

Law and Order Situation

  • Rise in Extortion and Abductions: Armed groups, particularly in the valley, have targeted traders and civilians.
  • Integrated Anti-Extortion Cell: Established on January 26, 2025, to combat rising extortion threats.
  • Bunker Removal: Over 500 bunkers (sandbag and tin shelters) used by armed groups have been dismantled to reduce conflict.

Economic Collapse

  • Markets and Trade Disruptions:
    • Daily turnover at Ima Keithel (Imphal’s all-women market) has dropped from ₹10,000 to ₹2,000 per vendor.
    • Private hospitals, schools, and tourism businesses are struggling due to the exodus of Kuki-Zo people.
    • Many businesses are relocating to Guwahati, Assam, due to rampant extortion.
  • Financial Distress:
    • Manipur Chamber of Commerce is pushing for an RBI-backed financial package to prevent businesses from becoming Non-Performing Assets (NPA).
    • Daily blockades and extortion fees have made transport costly and unreliable.

Road to Peace: Government’s 13-Point Plan

To address the crisis, the Central Government has introduced a roadmap focusing on:

  1. Disarmament: Complete surrender of illegal arms.
  2. Arrest of miscreants and extortionists.
  3. Rehabilitation of displaced people.
  4. Restoration of destroyed religious places.
  5. Ensuring free movement on highways.
  6. Deployment of security forces in sensitive areas.
  7. Improvement of relief camps and medical aid.
  8. Crackdown on armed groups violating peace agreements.
  9. Buffer zones demilitarization.
  10. Employment schemes for affected families.
  11. Encouragement of inter-community dialogue.
  12. Tackling hate speech and online misinformation.
  13. Formation of a reconciliation committee for long-term peace.

Challenges Ahead

Community Distrust and Political Uncertainty

  • Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities remain deeply divided, with retaliatory violence still occurring.
  • Uncertainty over political leadership under President’s Rule delays policy implementation.

Armed Groups and Insurgency

  • Meitei groups demand protection similar to the Kuki-Zo insurgents under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the Centre.
  • Frequent rebuilding of illegal bunkers challenges peacekeeping efforts.

Economic Recovery

  • Without major financial intervention, Manipur’s businesses and workforce face an uncertain future.

Conclusion

  • The Manipur crisis remains a complex humanitarian, security, and political challenge.
  • While President’s Rule has restored some stability, long-term peace requires disarmament, rehabilitation, economic revival, and inter-community dialogue.
  • The Government of India must act as a neutral facilitator to ensure sustainable peace through political dialogue and reconciliation efforts.

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