Manipur’s Crisis : A Silent Betrayal in the Halls of Power

For the past 19 months, Manipur has been engulfed in a violent conflict that has caused unimaginable suffering to its people. The ethnic strife, exacerbated by a complex web of historical, cultural, and political issues, has left countless families in despair, while the state remains divided and fractured. Yet, despite the scale of the crisis, there has been an alarming silence from both the Manipur Legislative Assembly and the Parliament. The growing frustration of the people of Manipur is now being echoed by politicians within the state, including MLAs and ministers from the ruling BJP, yet their voices seem to fall on deaf ears in the corridors of power.
The frustration is palpable. As the violence continues, the political leaders, both in Manipur and at the Centre, seem to have moved on to other issues, slowly abandoning the people who are suffering. MLA Nishikanta, who remain silent over the government attitude, recently expressed his dissatisfaction with the Chief Minister and the Government of India. His words reflect the growing disillusionment not just within the state but across the country regarding the apathy shown towards the people of Manipur.
BJP Minister Y. Khemchand and MLA Rameshwar, have also raised their voices against the Chief Minister’s leadership and the lack of any concrete action to end the violence. It is a sign of deepening frustration among the state’s elected representatives, who are now questioning the very government that they once supported. The rhetoric of these leaders suggests a growing fear that the crisis in Manipur has been relegated to the status of a peripheral issue, one that is no longer worth the political attention it demands. The government’s failure to address the root causes of the violence, and its inability to propose a clear roadmap for peace, is not only damaging the state’s social fabric but also tarnishing the image of India as a nation committed to justice and peace.
The reality is that Manipur’s crisis has slipped off the national agenda. While the state continues to burn, the winter session of Parliament, which should have been an opportunity to address the issue head-on, has not brought any substantive discussion on the violence. Instead, Parliament has been consumed with other political battles, leaving Manipur and its suffering people in the shadows. The lack of debate or even a meaningful mention of the ongoing crisis in the national legislature is a stark reminder of the indifference that has taken root in the country’s political elite.
The neglect of Manipur’s crisis is not just a matter of political inconvenience but a human rights disaster. The people of Manipur are suffering in the wake of ethnic violence, displacement, and a breakdown of law and order. Yet, there is no indication that the government has a clear plan or strategy to address the crisis. The continued apathy from both state and national leadership is deeply concerning. It is as though the lives of the people of Manipur no longer matter to the powers that be, and the state’s plight is no longer deemed worthy of sustained focus or urgent intervention.
The political silence is troubling, but so too is the lack of empathy or solidarity from the larger Indian public. While media coverage may have highlighted the violence in Manipur in its early months, there has been a steady decline in attention as the months have gone by. National media, with few exceptions, has largely moved on to other stories. The people of Manipur, struggling with the violence and its aftermath, are left to fend for themselves, without the support they need from the state or national governments.
The questions that arise, and which the government must answer, are simple: Why has the violence persisted for 19 months without a clear resolution? Why has the government failed to bring the warring communities to the table for dialogue? Why is there no coordinated effort from the Centre, the state, and local communities to address the underlying issues that have led to the violence? And perhaps most importantly, why is this ongoing tragedy not being given the attention it deserves in the halls of power?
The silence from Parliament and the Manipur Legislative Assembly is an abdication of responsibility. These institutions are meant to represent the interests of the people, especially when they are facing such grave challenges. It is the duty of these elected representatives to ensure that the voices of their constituents are heard and acted upon. The people of Manipur deserve more than empty words; they deserve action. The need for a comprehensive and inclusive peace process is urgent, and it must come from the highest levels of government.
It is time for the government, both at the Centre and in Manipur, to take decisive action. The people of Manipur have waited long enough. The clock is ticking, and every day that passes without meaningful intervention deepens the crisis and erodes the trust of the people in their leaders. The government must listen to the growing voices of dissent and address the situation with the seriousness it deserves. It is not just about politics; it is about justice, humanity, and the fundamental right of the people of Manipur to live in peace and security.