Connecting the dots

The present violence which erupted following a peace rally at Churachandpur district on the 3rd of June 2023 has been portrayed as an ethnic clash between the Kukis and the Meitei/Meetei communities by almost every national media as well as eminent journalists who are hogging the limelight with interviews of prominent personalities from a wide array of fields from different communities in the state thereby strengthening the very narrative of Meitei-Kuki clash further. While this ethnicity is a major factor of the present crisis, there are layers which needs to be delved into in greater detail if we as journalists have to bring about a positive change from the present conflict and show things in the true light as also suggest the way forward. The national media also need to pick up on these subtler yet just as vital pointers which culminated in the present situation besieging the tiny state of Manipur. And for those with the honest intention to help end this protracted violence there are certain hard facts that needs to be accepted and get to terms with. First off, the apprehensions and suspicions felt by the various communities on various demands raised by other communities as well as government reforms needs to be addressed in their true sense as various leaders and prominent personalities from these communities have interpreted these social demands and reforms initiated by the state and central government to suit their own personal or political interest and gains.
Amid Manipur violence, Mizoram becomes new transit route of drugs from Myanmar;. Security forces in Mizoram have seized heroin worth over Rs 271 crore in the international market since January this year of which drugs worth Rs 80 cr were seized since May 5. The Mizoram State Government has expressed concern about the alarming increase in drug menace in the State. a total of 2,187 “illegal migrants” have been detected in 41 villages in Tengnoupal, Churachandpur, Kamjong and Chandel districts, during a recent verification drive conducted by the state government. The detection of illegal immigrants was carried out under the directive of a cabinet sub-committee headed by cabinet minister Letpao Haokip. The governor of Manipur set up the panel in February to guide the functioning of Manipur State Population Commission and other authorities on identification of Myanmarese immigrants/refugees in the state following large scale influx of refugees from the neighbouring country due to the unrest there. In a series of surprise checks undertaken on June 3, the overall attendance in the 14 camps was registered to be approx 60 per cent. Further, as per sources, the weaponry counts only two weapons are missing with the remaining being accounted for.
Seemingly unrelated news but if one cared to really delve a bit deeper the connection would become obvious and a very vital part of the puzzle on what led to the present situation in the state. The sudden spurt in drug trafficking in neighbouring Mizoram, the detection of a large number of illegal immigrants from Burma in the hill districts of Manipur and containment of SoO cadres at their designated camps are clear indication fo the presence of highly trained and heavily armed narco-terrorists carrying out unrelenting attacks on villagers along the peripheries of valley areas of Manipur. It is up to the state and central government to find a way to address these issues in a pragmatic and lasting way to ensure no such unfortunate and unwanted violence happens again.