For more than three years, Manipur has remained trapped in a cycle of violence, displacement, fear and uncertainty. While the people of the state continue to demand justice, accountability and restoration of normalcy, the response from the Government of India has increasingly been viewed as inadequate, hesitant and disconnected from the realities on the ground. The growing wave of public protests across Manipur demanding the abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki armed groups is not merely a political movement; it is a reflection of deep public frustration over what many perceive as the state’s failure to protect its citizens and uphold the rule of law.
Recent demonstrations organized by various civil society organizations, student bodies and community groups have highlighted a common demand: the termination of the SoO agreement with Kuki militant groups accused by protesters of being involved in repeated acts of violence, extortion, abduction and killings since the outbreak of the ethnic conflict in May 2023. The latest protest over the alleged abduction and killing of six civilians at Leilon Vaiphei has once again brought the issue to the forefront.
The anger visible on the streets of Manipur is rooted not only in a single incident but in a long list of unresolved crimes. Since the conflict erupted, allegations have repeatedly surfaced regarding attacks on villages, sniper assaults on civilians, ambushes on security personnel, destruction of homes, kidnappings, extortion networks, highway blockades and the movement of armed militants across buffer zones. While investigations into many of these incidents continue, public confidence in the ability of authorities to prevent such crimes has steadily eroded.
What has particularly disturbed many citizens is the perception that armed groups operating under the SoO arrangement have enjoyed a degree of protection despite serious allegations of involvement in criminal activities. Originally conceived as a mechanism to facilitate peace negotiations and reduce armed confrontation, the SoO framework was expected to create conditions conducive to dialogue. However, critics argue that the arrangement has failed to achieve its intended objectives in Manipur. Instead of strengthening peace, they contend that it has become a source of controversy amid repeated allegations that some groups have violated ground rules with impunity.
The recent actions of the National Investigation Agency provide further cause for concern. Arrests linked to cases involving murder, abduction, attacks on security forces and other serious offences demonstrate the scale of the law-and-order challenges confronting the state. While legal proceedings must take their course and guilt can only be established through due process, the frequency and gravity of such incidents underscore the urgent need for stronger intervention.
Yet the most troubling aspect of the crisis is the apparent absence of a comprehensive political response from New Delhi. More than three years into the conflict, thousands remain displaced, communities remain divided, economic activities continue to suffer and trust between ethnic groups has deteriorated sharply. Despite repeated assurances, lasting peace remains elusive.
The continuing protests demanding the abrogation of the SoO agreement should not be dismissed as isolated expressions of anger. They represent a broader sentiment that the government has not adequately addressed the concerns of those affected by violence. Whether one agrees with the demand to terminate the agreement or not, the government cannot ignore the widespread perception that existing policies have failed to deliver security and justice.
Peace cannot be restored through silence, administrative routine or delayed investigations alone. The people of Manipur deserve transparent action, accountability for every act of violence and a clear roadmap towards reconciliation. Every unresolved killing, every unpunished abduction and every unanswered demand for justice deepens public distrust.
The cries for justice echo daily across Manipur’s hills and valleys. What remains uncertain is whether those voices are being heard in the corridors of power in New Delhi. Until decisive measures are taken to restore public confidence and uphold the rule of law, the silence of the government will continue to speak louder than its promises.
