A government silent in the face of terror and rising student protests

The prolonged crisis in Manipur, now stretching over 16 months, has escalated into an intolerable situation. Over 250 lives have been lost, with many more injured, and around 60,000 people have been displaced, living as refugees in their own state. The unrelenting attacks by Kuki militants, utilizing drone bombs and long-range rocket fire, have exposed a deep failure in governance and security. Even more alarming is the silence of the central government and the apparent inaction of security forces, including the Assam Rifles, in addressing the violence.
Today, in a dramatic escalation of public outrage, student-led protest rallies erupted in Imphal and across several districts. The demonstrations, primarily aimed at demanding the removal of the Security Advisor and Director General of Police (DGP), underscore the profound frustration of Manipur’s population. The calls for the removal of the Assam Rifles, who many see as passive onlookers to the violence, are growing louder.
These protests are not merely about the failings of specific individuals in the state apparatus; they reflect a deeper sense of betrayal by the central government. Despite mounting evidence of external aggression and the Home Minister’s acknowledgment of such threats, no decisive action has been taken. Reports of Kuki militants attacking security forces, such as the CRPF and state police at Kangpokpi, have surfaced, yet Assam Rifles, despite their knowledge of the militants’ hideouts, remain passive. This apparent inaction raises a disturbing question: Why is the central government silent, and what is the real agenda?
A closer look at the dynamics of the crisis reveals several troubling possibilities. First, there is the allegation that Kuki militants have external support, possibly from global powers like the United States or China. In a region already fragile due to its geopolitical positioning, the idea that external forces might be manipulating local insurgencies for strategic advantage is not far-fetched. The question then arises: Is the central government appeasing these insurgents for larger geopolitical reasons, even at the cost of destabilizing Manipur?
The recent surge in student protests underscores the urgency of the situation. These young voices, who represent Manipur’s future, are rising in defiance of a government they see as failing to protect them. Their demand for the removal of security officials is not just about ineffective leadership but a broader indictment of the state’s inability to ensure peace, justice, and security. The government’s failure to address the core issues—territorial integrity, public safety, and the restoration of normalcy—has left the youth with little choice but to take to the streets.
At the heart of this crisis is the question of Manipur’s future. Can a state so rich in culture, history, and resilience withstand not only the internal violence but also what increasingly appears to be external manipulation? The central government’s silence on these crucial matters is not only perplexing but dangerous. Its inaction may be interpreted as complicity or a tacit endorsement of a fractured state, one that could potentially serve larger national or international strategic interests.
The students of Manipur, in their protests, have articulated a clear message: Enough is enough. They have had to witness their state spiral into chaos, their communities shattered, and their futures put on hold, all while the central government looks the other way. This uprising is not just a cry for immediate justice but a plea for the restoration of dignity, safety, and sovereignty.
As the protests continue, it becomes increasingly clear that the government must act—and act decisively. Any further delay or ambiguity in addressing the Kuki militant threat, coupled with the government’s failure to remove incompetent officials, risks deepening the crisis. The silence of the central government is not only indefensible but also unsustainable. Manipur deserves peace, and its people deserve answers. The question remains: Will the government finally listen, or will the state’s youth continue to rise until their voices can no longer be ignored?