Collusion with Kukis or Incompetence at Its Core?

The attack on Jiribam by Kuki militants, marked by the abduction, brutal rape, and murder of women and children, stands as a horrifying testament to the depths of inhumanity in the ongoing Manipur crisis. This calculated assault appears meticulously designed not only to inflict unspeakable pain but also to provoke anger among the Meitei community. The intended outcome seems chillingly clear: to incite reactions that could justify the central government imposing the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the periphery areas of the Imphal Valley.
In the face of this provocation, the Meitei political leadership has faltered, exposing a glaring failure to rise to the occasion. Many leaders, including state MLAs, appear to have been caught off guard, misjudging both the intensity of the crisis and the growing resentment among their constituents. Instead of rallying behind their people, these leaders have found themselves scrambling for relevance, revealing a disconnect between their actions and the needs of those they serve. This erosion of trust has manifested dramatically in public outrage, with incidents of vandalism and arson targeting the homes of political leaders.
Take the case of Naoria Pakhanglakpa MLA, S. Kebi Devi. In a theatrical display, she led her supporters in a protest march to the Chief Minister’s residence. However, as they approached Imphal’s high-security zone, she abandoned her supporters, escaping in a police vehicle. Her actions left her followers to face tear gas and smoke bombs, vividly illustrating the growing perception that leaders prioritize their safety over solidarity with their people.
Moirang MLA Thongam Shanti presents another example of leadership failure. Confronted by a crowd demanding his resignation, he insisted that the people did not want him to step down—a statement that blatantly contradicted the very voices before him. When pressed further, his inability to address their grievances revealed a leader more intent on clinging to power than offering solutions. Similarly, Y. Khemchand displayed similar behavior when crowds gathered outside his residence, exposing the reluctance of leaders to engage meaningfully with their constituents.
The refusal of MLAs to act decisively, coupled with the apparent disengagement of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), suggests either a lack of strategic vision or, worse, complicity in a broader agenda aligned with the central government. This agenda, if left unchecked, risks reshaping Manipur’s administrative boundaries in ways that undermine the state’s identity and sovereignty. Whether this alignment is deliberate or the result of negligence, it reveals priorities that place personal and political survival above the welfare of the people.
At the heart of this crisis lies a betrayal of public trust. Manipur’s political leaders, rather than standing with their people, seem intent on clinging to power at any cost. Their inaction and theatrics, paired with a reluctance to challenge the central government’s perceived biases, paint a bleak picture of leadership.
More troubling is the role of some of the CSOs, once the backbone of Manipur’s resistance through mass protests, strikes, and bandhs. Their failure to channel public anger effectively at this critical juncture is deeply unsettling. Instead of mounting a decisive response, they have retreated to symbolic sit-in protests. This uncharacteristic restraint raises serious questions about their motivations: are they genuinely advocating for the people, or are they under external pressures to pacify unrest without pursuing meaningful solutions? Their muted response suggests either a strategic misstep or a deliberate attempt to maintain the status quo.
Manipur cannot afford a leadership that dithers or colludes with forces seeking to undermine its integrity. It requires leaders who will fight for its people, challenge injustices, and prioritize peace and stability. The current trajectory, marked by betrayal and complicity, serves only to deepen the crisis. The time for genuine leadership is now, for the cost of continued inaction is a future where Manipur’s identity and sovereignty are irreparably compromised.