In Search of Peace – A Roadmap Rooted in Responsibility and Historical Principles

Manipur remains trapped in a state of crisis, its people caught between fear, displacement, and a desperate yearning for peace. With the imposition of President’s Rule following the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on February 9, the responsibility to restore peace now rests squarely with the Central Government. This shift in governance makes it even more imperative for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to rise to the occasion. Yet, his continued absence from his own troubled state raises serious questions about accountability and empathy.
At a time when people expected a leader to walk with them through their pain, the Prime Minister chose silence and distance. His refusal to visit Manipur during its worst humanitarian and security crisis in decades has not only demoralized the citizens but has also emboldened those who thrive in disorder. While officials from the Home Ministry have made visits and conducted reviews, the absence of the country’s highest political leader has created a vacuum — a feeling among many that their suffering is not important enough to warrant his attention.
If peace is to return to Manipur, it must be rooted in the firm assurance of fundamental rights to all citizens, regardless of ethnicity, community, or location. The situation demands more than administrative measures; it calls for moral clarity and political courage. The Central Government must initiate a peace process that begins with the recognition that every citizen of Manipur deserves safety, dignity, and equal protection under the law. There must be no second-class citizens, no privileged groups, and no space for vigilante justice.
To shape this peace process, the principle of Uti Possidetis Juris offers a valuable lens. This principle, which maintains that existing legal boundaries must be respected unless changed by lawful processes, has long been used in post-conflict situations to stabilize emerging democracies. Applying this to Manipur, it is crucial that all communities accept the territorial integrity of the state as it legally stood before the eruption of violence. Any demand for parallel administrations or territorial separation must be set aside in favor of dialogue and reconciliation within the constitutional framework.
Peace cannot be imposed; it must be built. That begins with re-establishing the rule of law across both hills and valley, without bias or selective enforcement. Armed groups must be disarmed, displaced persons must be safely returned or resettled, and law enforcement must act impartially. People must feel safe in their homes and secure in their identity. Beyond the physical rebuilding, there is a deeper task — healing the psychological wounds and rebuilding trust between communities. This requires acknowledging past failures, whether they come from the state, civil society, or extremist elements. A process of truth-telling, possibly in the form of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, is necessary to foster understanding and chart a path forward.
The Central Government must also initiate an inclusive and transparent political dialogue involving all stakeholders — tribal and valley-based groups, civil society, scholars, women’s organizations, and youth leaders. No group should be excluded, and no narrative should dominate. The process must be democratic in spirit and committed to the long-term goal of peaceful coexistence. At the same time, economic rehabilitation, educational support, and psychological counselling must accompany any efforts at restoring normalcy. Citizens need more than empty promises; they need tangible support.
Ultimately, the road to peace in Manipur will require constitutional firmness, cultural sensitivity, and unwavering political will. It will also require the Prime Minister to acknowledge his responsibility, not just as a national leader, but as someone morally bound to all parts of the country — including the Northeast. His continued silence risks turning a national crisis into a forgotten tragedy. The people of Manipur have waited long enough. It is time for the Government of India to act — decisively, fairly, and in full view of the public. Only then can Manipur begin to breathe freely again.