Officials on the ground in strife-torn Manipur have reported a significant development, a 42-day period without any reported cases of ethnic clashes, gunfights, or killings.
This marks the longest period of peace in the state since the outbreak of clashes on May 3, 2023.
Despite the ongoing ethnic divisions, with security forces maintaining vigilance in buffer zones, Manipur has experienced this respite due to two key factors.
Firstly, the abduction of a senior police officer by the radical group Arambai Tenggol (AT) on February 27 has allegedly fostered unity among the police force.
Secondly, heightened security measures implemented in anticipation of the upcoming general elections have contributed to the prevailing sense of calm in the region.
“After Manipur additional SP Moirangthem Amit Singh’s abduction on February 27, there has not been a single case of killings or clashes. The abduction united the police force. If it could happen to an SP, it could happen to anyone. A day after the kidnapping, Manipur commandos, who were otherwise accused of bias by tribal groups, also laid down their arms in protest. Actually, most police officers were not happy with AT right from the start but their hands were tied. What they needed was support from the bosses in the police and political establishment. This came after the abduction,” an officer from a central security force posted in Manipur said.
This incident garnered support and solidarity within law enforcement, prompting police commandos to raise concerns about their safety with Chief Minister Biren Singh. Singh, along with another officer, was abducted outside his residence in Imphal West by AT members.
The police statement said, “AT is engaging in anti-social activities like assaulting civilians, snatching vehicles and also indulging in extortion. They are also garnering false support from the public in the garb of protecting them.”
However, swift action and firm responses from authorities led to Singh's release within hours, signaling a strong stance against such acts of violence.
In the aftermath of Singh's rescue, Manipur police openly addressed the role of AT in abductions and other criminal activities, shifting from vague references to specific accusations.
Prior to this incident, ethnic clashes had flared in Imphal-Kangpokpi buffer zone areas on February 24 and 25, resulting in tensions but no fatalities.
However, two killings reported last month were unrelated to ethnic violence, involving Kuki militants and occurring in areas inaccessible to Meiteis due to security concerns.
Despite this respite, underlying tensions persist, with the state remaining divided along ethnic lines.
Both Meitei and Kuki groups inhabit separate territories, and while AT's activities have diminished, divisions remain palpable.
The recent abduction of a prominent police officer, coupled with ongoing security measures and the approaching elections, have contributed to a fragile peace in Manipur.
Over the past year, ethnic clashes have claimed the lives of 219 individuals, displacing over 50,000 people in Manipur.
As the state prepares for Lok Sabha elections in two phases on April 19 and 26, the temporary calm offers a glimmer of hope amidst persistent challenges of communal discord and violence.
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