Manipur is facing a governance crisis of alarming proportions. While the Valley areas witness daily proactive police actions—where arms are seized and suspects arrested—the hill districts remain a troubling blind spot, exposing the failure of the state to enforce law and order effectively. The recent spate of incidents in Chandel and Kangpokpi districts underscores the severity of this problem and the risks it poses to democratic governance.
On October 2, a convoy of Manipur Police came under attack at Longja village in Chandel district late at night. Several police vehicles, including one belonging to an Additional Superintendent of Police, sustained damage to their windshields. The convoy was obstructed by a group of local women who deliberately stood in front of the vehicles, preventing them from moving forward. This brazen defiance of law enforcement highlights the erosion of state authority in the hill districts and raises serious questions about the government’s capacity to maintain public order.
Following the incident, the United Kuki Liberation Front (UKLF), a group operating under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement, issued a warning to the Manipur Police, asserting that it would not remain a “mute spectator” after a raid at the residence of one of its leaders in Sajik Tampak. The UKLF described the raid as a “serious act” and indicated that it would not tolerate similar actions in the future. While the group claims adherence to SoO ground rules and pursuit of a political solution for the Kuki-Zo community, its threats against law enforcement reflect an alarming empowerment of armed outfits in areas where the state’s presence is weak.
The situation in Kangpokpi is equally concerning. The Committee of Tribal Unity (COTU) announced a total shutdown along National Highway-2, declaring the day as “Separation Day.” Schools, businesses, and public services remained closed, demonstrating the capacity of civil society organisations aligned with armed groups to impose restrictions on public life without challenge. When such organisations can dictate the functioning of daily life, it is a stark indication that governance and democratic order are under siege.
Contrast these developments with the Valley, where the police have been conducting daily operations to seize illegal arms and apprehend suspects. The Valley demonstrates that the state can assert authority when there is political will and operational strategy. The difference between proactive policing in the Valley and the passivity in the hill districts is glaring. Citizens in the hills are left vulnerable to threats, extortion, and coercion, while militants exercise control over local populations. This selective enforcement undermines the very notion of a fair and functioning democracy.
The government’s failure to assert authority in the hill districts is not merely an administrative lapse; it is a direct threat to democratic governance. Suspension of Operations agreements, designed to encourage dialogue and peaceful resolution, must not be misused as shields for lawlessness. Armed groups and their frontal organisations must be held accountable when they issue threats or disrupt law enforcement. At the same time, the state must ensure that ordinary citizens’ rights to safety, mobility, and civic participation are protected.
The hill districts of Manipur, home to diverse ethnic communities, have long been sensitive zones due to historical grievances and insurgent movements. However, recent incidents indicate that governance in these areas is faltering dangerously. When police convoys can be obstructed by mobs, when armed outfits can openly threaten law enforcement, and when shutdowns can paralyse public life without challenge, the foundations of democracy are weakened.
The contrast with the Valley shows that solutions exist. With political will, strategic operations, and community engagement, law and order can be maintained. The same approach must be applied in the hill districts. Failure to act decisively will embolden militants, further erode public trust, and deepen the governance crisis.
Democracy is more than periodic elections; it is a framework of rights, responsibilities, and protections. When state authority is challenged, citizens live in fear, and militants dictate terms, democracy itself is under threat. The time for action in Manipur’s hill districts is now. The administration must enforce law and order, hold armed groups accountable, and ensure that the rights of its citizens are protected. Anything less is a betrayal of the democratic mandate.