NB: A noteworthy observation. A government whose ideological inclination is set like an automaton towards stoking up communal passions; and which uses its institutional power over the justice system for blatant partisan gain, is asking for trouble. Unless wiser counsels prevail, the fate of the North East is a mirror for the future. DS
On Saturday, a retired Lieutenant General of the Indian Army tweeted out a sombre message about the situation in Manipur. “The state is now ‘stateless’,” wrote Nishikanta Singh. “Life and property can be destroyed anytime by anyone just like in Libya, Lebanon, Nigeria, Syria, etc.”. Soon, a former chief of the Indian Army added to his call. “An extraordinarily sad call from a retired Lt Gen from Manipur,” wrote Ved Malik. “Law & order situation in Manipur needs urgent attention at [the] highest level”.
Manipur has been ignored by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and much of the big television media based in the National Capital Region. Yet, the comparison with war-torn regions such as Syria by a person none other than a former army officer living in Manipur is a wake-up call about the level of chaos in the state. Not only has there been horrific ethnic conflict in Manipur, even major symbols of the Indian state have been battered in the violence.
On Friday, the home of a minister in the Modi government was burnt down, with the helpless minister complaining about the “total failure” of law and order in a state governed by his own party. Even worse, the central paramilitary forces have been harassed by mobs. As a convoy of Assam Rifles was blockaded for weeks, the troops ran out of rations to feed themselves. Although it is a paramilitary force, Assam Rifles is controlled by the Indian Army and has played a critical role in India’s restive North East….
After the truth-shower 