The recent martyrdom of a Border Security Force (BSF) soldier at the Indo-Pak border is yet another solemn reminder of the silent sacrifices made daily by India’s armed forces. These men and women, drawn from every corner of the country and every community, stand as the first line of defence against external aggression. They face live bullets, unpredictable threats, and harsh terrain with unwavering resolve. The nation rightfully mourns the loss of every such braveheart, but it must also take this moment to turn inward—and confront the painful contradictions that lie within its own borders, especially in the northeastern state of Manipur.
For nearly two years, Manipur has been engulfed in one of the worst ethnic and political crises in its modern history. What began as a conflict between two communities has now spiralled into a complex humanitarian and administrative failure. Hundreds have died, villages have been burnt, and thousands continue to live in relief camps under appalling conditions. Even with the imposition of President’s Rule, which many had hoped would bring some semblance of impartial governance, the ground realities have hardly improved.
Against this backdrop of chaos and despair, an image from a faraway war zone surfaced recently—one that should have stirred the national conscience. It showed CRPF officers from Kuki, Naga, and Meitei communities working together to evacuate Indian students from conflict-hit regions abroad. These officers, whose home communities have been deeply divided by violence, displayed remarkable unity and professionalism. In a theatre of war, far from their fractured homeland, they demonstrated a shared sense of duty that many leaders back home have failed to exhibit.
This image of unity in uniform starkly contrasts with the divisive, and often apathetic, response of the Indian government to the Manipur crisis. While security forces across the country continue to function with discipline and integrity, the political leadership has, at best, offered sporadic visits and vague promises. At worst, it has chosen silence or bias. Despite multiple interventions and repeated assurances, the violence has not ceased. Justice has not been delivered. And trust in the system is eroding by the day.
The central government has shown, time and again, that it can act swiftly when national prestige or international attention is involved. Military operations are launched within hours to rescue Indian citizens from foreign territories. Policy measures are rolled out at lightning speed when matters concern the capital or politically significant states. But when it comes to Manipur—a state tucked away in the northeast, long neglected and poorly understood—the response has been sluggish, half-hearted, and tragically inadequate.
It must be asked: why is the loss of life in Manipur treated differently from that on the Indo-Pak border? Why does a fallen soldier evoke national mourning, but a child killed in ethnic violence in Churachandpur or Imphal is reduced to a statistic? National unity and security are not just about guarding borders—they are about ensuring justice, peace, and dignity for every citizen, regardless of their geography or ethnicity.
Moreover, the President’s Rule in Manipur, instead of offering a reset or a neutral ground for reconciliation, has so far failed to deliver decisive results. The central administration, which now holds direct responsibility, must be held accountable for every lapse, every delay, and every failure to protect lives and property. It is no longer a state-level crisis; it is a national one.
The unity displayed by the Kuki, Naga, and Meitei CRPF officers is not merely symbolic—it is a lesson. It shows that peace is possible. That coexistence is achievable. That the people of Manipur are not inherently divided—they are being failed by leadership that has chosen inaction over intervention, and silence over solidarity.
As we salute the bravery of the BSF soldier who gave his life at the border, let us not turn a blind eye to the quiet deaths, displacements, and despair within. Manipur does not need more high-level delegations or diplomatic rhetoric. It needs justice. It needs reconciliation. And above all, it needs to be seen and treated as an integral part of India—not just in geography, but in spirit.
The time to act is now. Not for political gain, but for the sake of a generation growing up amidst barbed wires, bunkers, and broken dreams.