If India Turns Away, Manipur Will Stand Alone: Remembering May 3

The ongoing crisis in Manipur has raised legitimate questions about equity, justice, and national integrity. For nearly a year, the northeastern state has been engulfed in relentless ethnic conflict, leading to loss of life, displacement, and a near collapse of administrative normalcy. Yet, the response from the Centre has left many in Manipur feeling neglected, disillusioned, and even betrayed.
There is a growing perception among a large section of the population that the Government of India is applying a discriminatory lens to similar insurgent movements in different regions of the country. While militants operating in Jammu & Kashmir are firmly labeled and dealt with as “terrorists,” those involved in violent acts in Manipur — particularly armed groups claiming to represent Kuki interests — are perceived to be treated with undue leniency. This inconsistency is fueling anger and alienation. To many in Manipur, the silence or inaction of the Union government in the face of continued violence is not just administrative failure — it is a dangerous signal that the state is being treated as a dispensable periphery.
This growing distrust is further deepened by the Centre’s perceived inaction on disarming insurgent groups. Despite claims that the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki militants has been discontinued, the ground reality suggests otherwise. These groups continue to bear arms, often freely, and with apparent impunity. In contrast, calls by the Governor for civilians to surrender their weapons, in the name of restoring peace, have only added to the public’s skepticism. Why should one group be disarmed while another continues to operate under the shadow of state protection or indifference?
The people of Manipur are asking a basic question: Is the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state negotiable? For generations, the people have stood firmly for a unified Manipur, resisting any attempt at balkanization. Any effort, whether direct or subtle, to divide the state along ethnic lines will not only destabilize Manipur further but also embolden separatist sentiments in other parts of the country. It is crucial that New Delhi understands the weight of this sentiment — Manipur is not expendable.
The Home Ministry’s role in addressing the conflict has so far failed to inspire confidence. Decisions have been made, often announced with fanfare, but follow-through has been weak or nonexistent. Without meaningful consultation with all stakeholders — and without holding armed groups accountable for their actions — these efforts are bound to fail. Worse still, repeated failures erode whatever faith remains in the democratic processes and institutions of the Union.
The only option left for the people of Manipur is to continue their struggle —through steadfast unity. The integrity of the state must be preserved, and its people must not be left at the mercy of political indecision and bureaucratic apathy. If the Central Government cannot demonstrate impartiality and effectiveness in restoring peace, then it risks losing the trust of yet another generation in this already embattled region. The path to peace in Manipur cannot be paved with selective justice and political convenience.