The Apartheid in Government Response: An attempt to polarise the state further

The Government strategy of favouritism towards non Kuki-Zo victims while complete apathy to Kuki-Zo victims segregated victims in the warring state into two: one whose lives matter more and the other’s seems to be left in the hand of God’s Mercy. The colonial policy of "carrot and stick" for different communities had polarised the society, resulting into communal enmity and violence whose impact is felt even today both domestically and in geo-politics. By adopting this strategy, the state Government is playing with fire which will become untameable later if not extinguished in time.

It is one thing to be called as "refugees" by social media trolls but another thing to be treated as a “lesser citizen” by the state Government itself. Any inclusive Government would focus on curbing the indigenous vs non-indigenous campaign targeted to defame Kuki-Zo, for it is baseless and it will hamper harmonious co-existence in the society.

Ironically, armed miscreants from a particular community, who got injured while attacking a Kuki village, were airlifted to stature of security personnel in the state or country. Even in the medical centre, instead of being booked for criminal activities, the state authorities flocked in to enquire about their well-being. Going by the government response, wouldn't it be wrong to assume that the government of the day fully supported such criminal acts of targeting Kuki-Zo villagers?

That incident posed many questions than answers: Why are armed militants given free hands to attack innocent civilians at will? Where is the government's intelligence network or law enforcement agency to curb violence facing the state? Is Manipur state becoming a Rogue state?

The fact that the biggest insurgent group in Northeast being allowed to exist till date itself is highly questionable. When the focus of the security forces is on dismantling bunkers of the village volunteers in other areas, the mushrooming of militias in another areas is becoming a cause of concerns.

There is a saying that "actions speaks louder than words." The government action is clear. Giving leniency to speakers of derogatory remarks including social media trolls to defame and dehumanise the Kuki-Zo community, while applying favouritism to another communities; thus, segregating and polarising the people of Manipur.

There is also wide contrast of benefits and entitlements to the victims of various crime incidents. Victims of one community were given high priority over the other minority community. Government compensation in the form of jobs or ex-gratias are readily available when the victims belonged to a majority community while for Kuki-Zo victims, their lives are usually treated as less precious. Even inatters of investigation, fast track investigation for justice is done for victims of majority communities while the for minority community, the cases are often kept in storage - delayed forever.

While Helipad services can be made readily available in Ukhrul after few days of unrest, the demand to connect Kuki areas via helipad service sounds to the government that as if the Kuksi are demanding for a star. The basic necessity which are readily available for other communities is becoming a dream to be fulfilled for KuKi-Zo people.

These are few instances the government of the day has applied an apartheid policies towards the Kukis. It is understood that such policies of partiality would harm the entirety of the state in the long run. No one is born by birth to hate or love someone, they are taught. The favouritism for one and discrimination for the other will infused superiority complex on those who are favoured, thus enmity grows between communities.

Polarising and radicalising the youth against a particular community living in the state can someday erupt in large-scale violence, which is not solicited in today's modern and civilised world. The pain is that the poor and unemployed youth are the most vulnerable who got the maximum exposure to such polarisation and radicalisation. The system needs to be cleaned. There must be impartiality, honesty, transparency, accountability in all governance.

When someone from the majority community speaks, it looks as if they are inclusive and peace loving from the outside. But, the reality is that they are manipulating the system. Malginalisation still exist in every sphere. The deliberate neglect of the marginalised community is the root cause of all ills in Manipur. Apartheid in Africa exists now in Manipur.

The Government should stop being 'Meitei centric' in all constitutional posts, but should rather become an upholder of the constitutional values and ideals. Else, chaos or communal violence would deepen the state to a level of Stone Age. As for the keeping the territorial integrity that the Meiteis has fought tooth and nail, it did not take an Einstein to predict of the outcome if the Meiteis continue using this apartheid politicy as a means to achieve it.

(Views expressed are personal)