Journalist getting shot, where were security forces?

On Saturday, local journalist L. Kabichandra was shot in the left thigh during a firing incident at Thamnaopokpi village, Imphal East district. Though he is now out of danger after receiving treatment at a hospital, the attack highlights the perilous environment in which civilians and professionals alike must operate. This comes merely a day after a policeman and two village volunteers sustained bullet injuries during clashes in Thamnaopokpi and Sanasabi in Kangpokpi district.
Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh condemned the violence, writing on X, “Strongly condemn the indiscriminate firing by Kuki militants at Sanasabi and Thamnapokpi in Imphal East, which injured civilians and security personnel. This cowardly and unprovoked attack on innocent lives is an assault on peace and harmony.” While the condemnation is necessary, it falls short of addressing the root cause of the issue: the failure of the state machinery to anticipate and prevent such attacks despite the overwhelming presence of security personnel across the conflict-torn areas.
The situation in Manipur has been deteriorating for months, with ethnic tensions spiraling into regular outbreaks of violence. The deployment of security forces, touted as a measure to restore peace, has done little to instill confidence among the residents. Instead, incidents like these expose the ineffectiveness of these measures and the inability of the state government to assert control. How is it that armed militants can continue to operate with such impunity despite the presence of paramilitary forces, state police, and central security agencies? This glaring question remains unanswered.
Journalists, often referred to as the fourth pillar of democracy, have borne a disproportionate share of the risks in Manipur. L. Kabichandra’s injury reminds how reporters in conflict zones are caught in the crossfire, both literally and figuratively. Their work to document ground realities and hold power to account is vital, yet they operate in a climate of fear and hostility.
The government’s condemnation of the attack on Sanasabi and Thamnaopokpi, while necessary, rings hollow when juxtaposed with its inaction on the ground. Words alone cannot mend the broken trust between the state and its people. It is essential to understand that peace cannot be achieved by deploying security forces alone. A comprehensive approach addressing the grievances of all communities involved is necessary to end this cycle of violence. However, the state seems more inclined to issue statements rather than take concrete steps to mitigate the crisis.
The assault on peace and harmony, as described by the Chief Minister, is indeed a reality. But the bigger assault is on the confidence of the people in their government’s ability to protect them. The state has not only failed to prevent such incidents but also to provide a sense of security to its citizens. This is a failure of governance, one that demands immediate rectification.
In a democracy, the primary duty of the government is to ensure the safety and well-being of its people. The events in Manipur reveal a dereliction of this duty. The Chief Minister’s condemnation, while valid, must be accompanied by decisive action to restore order. The Centre, too, must step up and play a proactive role in resolving the crisis. Without a unified and comprehensive effort, peace in Manipur will remain a distant dream, and the state’s citizens will continue to pay the price for administrative incompetence.