Recent events of violence show that law and order has completely crumbled in the valley areas too

In today’s Governor’s address, a significant portion was devoted to the state’s law and order situation. The Governor outlined the security measures taken, including the registration of FIRs and cases, some of which have been handed over to the NIA and CBI. Additionally, details were provided on the deployment of state and central armed forces, along with the efforts these forces made to facilitate agricultural activities during the paddy season under the incessant fire from Kuki-Zo militants.
However, recent events in Imphal paint a starkly different picture. The prolonged violence spanning over nine months has seen a proliferation of armed groups, leading to the complete militarization of society. A recent bombing at Dhanamanjuri University claimed the life of a student, and several offices of CSOs have been razed to the ground. Moreover, a police officer was abducted by an armed group following a heavy exchange of gunfire at his residence.
Despite these violent incidents, the government has yet to take concrete action. In a concerning development, a section of Manipur police has laid down their arms in response to the attack on their senior officer. Reports also suggest that state security personnel are withdrawing from the frontline in protest. These developments will seriously impact the morale of Manipur police.
Furthermore, it’s worth noting that earlier, law and order was virtually nonexistent in the hills of Manipur, as evidenced by incidents like the abduction and murder of Athuan Abonmei by NSCN IM. He was abducted in front of security personnel and killed. Later, the Manipur Police were ordered to stand down from acting against the NSCN IM camp responsible for his abduction, given the peace agreement with NSCN IM and the central government. Another troubling instance was the withdrawal of civil police commandos from Churachandpur just prior to the onset of the ongoing violence, indicating the complete capitulation of the law and order machinery in these areas. Alarmingly, such breakdowns of law and order are now becoming increasingly prevalent in the valley areas as well. Similarly, in the recent incident leading to the crisis in Manipur police, police sources have said that their senior officers ordered them to stand down while their senior officer was being attacked.
These events collectively underscore a complete breakdown of law and order in the state. If left unchecked, such incidents may compel the central government to intervene more forcefully. Therefore, in light of these developments, it becomes imperative to address the underlying issues of governance, accountability, and security in Manipur. Failure to do so risks further erosion of public trust in law enforcement and exacerbation of existing tensions, ultimately undermining efforts to ensure peace and stability in the region.