Nestled amidst its lush hills and verdant valleys, Manipur has long been a repository of natural wealth. Yet, a wave of ethnic violence, lasting over a year, threatens to unravel the state’s social fabric.
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has now alleged that the turmoil in the northeastern state is not just a tribal feud but a sinister design by corporate entities to exploit Manipur’s rich mineral resources.
Speaking at Ravindra Bharathi on Tuesday during the launch of the book Nuts, Bolts of War & Peace by former MLC K Yadava Reddy, Reddy accused vested interests of inciting conflict to plunder the state's natural wealth.
The allegations
“Violence between two tribal communities has erupted, creating a war-like situation in Manipur. The root cause of this is the supply of thousands of modern weapons, such as AK-47s, to these communities. Which corporate companies are encouraging this civil war in Manipur to loot its valuable minerals? By conspiring to turn this into a conflict between two tribal communities, some corporate forces plan to exploit Manipur’s mineral wealth,” said Reddy.
Reddy further questioned why the Union government and armed forces had failed to establish peace amidst the armed tribal conflict.
Reddy’s remarks echoed earlier allegations by various leaders and organisations.
In August 2023, Rajya Sabha MP and CPI National Secretary Binoy Viswam claimed, “The ongoing violence is a well-scripted conspiracy by BJP-led governments at the Centre and in the state, aimed at handing over Manipur’s mineral-rich hills to Adani.”
He alleged that hills inhabited by the Kuki tribal community hold vast reserves of platinum, with plans underway to transfer mining rights to private corporations.
Similarly, Prakash Ambedkar, President of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, had alleged that the BJP’s involvement in fuelling Manipur’s conflict was linked to awarding a platinum mining contract to a major industrialist.
Reddy also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s defence policies, which he claimed facilitated corporate intrusion into sensitive sectors.
“By amending the Constitution, Modi has allowed 100 per cent private investment in the defence sector. Agreements made under the liberalisation policy cannot be unilaterally cancelled,” said Reddy, responding to calls to act against defence equipment manufacturer Adani Group.
Highlighting the implications of such policies, Reddy noted that drones produced in Hyderabad by the Adani Group were reportedly supplied to Israel and used in Gaza.
“I can’t do anything in this regard. It is not in our hands. The previous government entered agreements with the Adani Group, and these cannot be unilaterally cancelled,” he stated.
Reddy also brought attention to the need for national debate on critical issues. “The undeclared war happening in India should be debated, and everyone should be made aware,” he asserted.
He pointed to China’s alleged occupation of 2,000 to 4,000 sq km of Indian territory since 2014 as another pressing matter demanding discourse.
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