New Delhi: In a no-holds-barred interview to The Wire, Bimol Akoijam, the newly elected Congress MP from Inner Manipur, laid the blame for the ongoing violence in the state squarely at the feet of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, home minister Amit Shah and the BJP.
Akoijam, known for his accurate academic analysis and public intellectualism, did not mince words as he dissected the complex dynamics fuelling the unrest that has ravaged the northeastern state for over 500 days.
“This violence is a product of polarisation in society orchestrated by the BJP and the government of India led by the party, and [of their] dubiously projecting themselves as the saviour of the Meiteis while stoking the same sentiment among the Kukis,” he said.
According to Akoijam, the violence is part of a larger, insidious plot to manipulate ethnic tensions for political gain.
“My assessment is that the BJP promised the Kuki armed groups a separate administration or state in exchange for their support during the elections. This is an attempt to destroy the idea of Manipur, to counter the historically rooted political issues represented by Manipur’s political armed groups. In effect, what we’re seeing now is an attempt to neutralise these groups, which have consistently refused to engage in talks with the government.”
Akoijam suggested an even deeper geopolitical strategy behind the violence – one that extends beyond internal state politics.
“I have sensed from day one that the crisis has a geo-strategic dimension. The Kuki armed groups are being used as a sphere of influence by the Indian state in Bangladesh and Myanmar, areas already under Chinese influence. If India can establish a buffer zone near the Bay of Bengal, it will allow the country to assert control over the region.
“These Kuki groups, as many authors have pointed out, have long been propped up by the Indian state to counter the Naga armed groups and later the Meitei groups. This fits perfectly into the broader geopolitical strategy that I have understood all along.”
A new partition?
Akoijam even drew a parallel to Partition.
“Do you think they’re aiming to create a separate country?” The Wire asked.
“Elements pushing for that exist, but the contestation over Manipur’s future has been brewing for decades,” Akoijam replied.
“This is all part of a script. Just watch the news – the narrative never changes. Have you ever seen a Kuki MLA speak about peace? I haven’t. But instead of appealing for peace and calm, these politicians started demanding a separate administration just a couple of days after the violence erupted on May 3 [2023]. It is quite like the Direct Action Day of the Muslim League that inaugurated the Partition violence in 1946.”
Responsibility for political manipulation, Akoijam believes, goes all the way to the top. He pointed to a critical decision taken on May 31, 2023, when Kuldiep Singh, a security adviser to the Manipur government, was appointed chairman of the unified command overseeing both the army and the police forces in the state.
According to Akoijam, this manoeuvre was designed to strip Manipur’s chief minister, N. Biren Singh, of control while still putting him up as a facade to deflect blame for the crisis – a scapegoat to shield Modi and Shah from any criticism, particularly before the Lok Sabha election.
This move has been camouflaged by creating confusion regarding the reported invocation of Article 355, he said.
Article 355 deals with the Union government’s duty to protect the states from “external aggression and internal disturbance”.
“Amit Shah and Narendra Modi were behind this move. If Biren had held onto the unified command, his government would have been fully responsible for the crisis, and for the government of India to exercise the duty envisaged in Article 355 legitimately is to invoke Article 352 or 356,” he said, referring to constitutional provisions that allow the Union government to take control from the state.
Articles 352 and Article 356 of the constitution deal with emergency provisions and the Union government’s control over states.
Under Article 352, which deals with national emergencies, the president can declare an emergency during war, external aggression or armed rebellion, suspending citizens’ rights and granting the Union government more authority over states. It requires parliament’s approval within a month.
And Article 356 provides for president’s rule. The president can impose president’s rule if a state government fails to function according to the constitution. The state legislature is suspended or dissolved, and the Union government takes over, with extensions allowed for up to three years.
Akoijam added, “Biren Singh is part of the game plan – the plan that Modi and Shah have – because he himself appointed Kuldiep and gave power of the unified command to him so the blame won’t come to him, allowing him to save his chair.”
The hidden playbook?
Akoijam’s allegations don’t stop at the immediate violence. He claims the violence in Manipur is part of a broader script – a playbook that communal forces have been following for years to destroy the idea of Manipur and pursue strategic and sectarian projects.
“If you listen to any news report, the storyline is always the same. No one’s talking about peace, and that’s not by accident,” he remarked.
The MP’s words leave little doubt about his disdain for the current government’s handling of the crisis. “This is a deliberate, strategically calculated move by those in power in cahoots with sectarian elements. And the people of Manipur are paying the price,” he concluded.
As Manipur remains embroiled in one of its most violent periods, Akoijam’s critique raises uncomfortable questions about the true motivations behind the conflict – and what the future holds for this troubled state.
Prime minister’s visit
The Wire also asked the Inner Manipur MP if a visit by the PM could change the situation in Manipur, as both sides have demanded his presence.
“Why shouldn’t he visit? But he must ensure that decisive action is taken. First, deploy the armed forces with clear instructions to act firmly and judiciously. The prime minister must make it clear that officers will be held accountable for security in their respective areas. This approach will bring the violence to an end within minutes.
Also read: Why Modi’s Claim That ‘Timely Intervention’ in Manipur ‘Improved Situation’ Rings Hollow
“Second, no demands based on communal lines should be considered, but I am open to discussions on reforms aimed at improving democratic participation and the delivery of goods and services.
“Third, gather all the BJP MLAs, make them sit together and engage in dialogue. If these steps are followed, peace can be restored within two weeks.”
Satellite images reveal destruction in Kuki villages
The Wire showed Akoijam satellite images from the state showing Meitei houses in Churachandpur that were wiped out after they were burned by Kukis as well as the B. Phainom Kuki village that was burned by Meiteis.
Akoijam responded: “This must have happened, but tell me – how is it possible that Meitei houses have been wiped out entirely from Churachandpur, despite the presence of the Assam Rifles and the Manipur police? How could this happen in the heart of the city [Churachandpur]? The violence occurred initially in Churachandpur and its adjoining areas, and then it spread to Imphal. Meiteis had to leave Churachandpur immediately, while Kuki families remained in Imphal.
“The Wire was the first to break this story, shocking those propagandists who claimed there were no Kukis left in the Imphal valley, a claim to justify what they call ‘total separation between the two communities’ to serve their demand for separate administration.”
The Wire reported on July 29, 2023 about Kuki-Zo people still living in the Imphal valley under police protection in the New Lambulane area. However, by September, the Manipur police and the Assam Rifles ordered them to vacate their homes and relocate to the hill areas.
The media’s role in covering the conflict
In the ongoing violence in Manipur, at least 237 people have been killed. Akoijam expressed disappointment with the media’s role in covering the killings on both sides, stressing that framing the deaths as ‘Meitei’ or ‘Kuki’ has only deepened the divide between the communities.
“For the actions of a few people on both sides, the entire community should not be blamed,” he said.
“Why do we hear people targeting Kukis or Meiteis, saying ‘they did this’ or ‘they did that’? In the rest of India, when communal violence occurs, if a Muslim or Hindu is involved, we are careful not to associate their actions with their entire community. Why isn’t the same standard being applied in Manipur?”
Escalating the divide
The MP added: “That’s part of the plan. This is what you hear from the Kuki side because they’ve been actively pursuing this. But Meiteis have done the same. However, within the Meitei community, there are dissenting voices against such demonisation of the community. Unfortunately, I suppose the same cannot be said about the Kukis. I’ve always said – don’t blame the entire community, blame the elites and their divisive politics. The pain of this tragedy is felt irrespective of the community.”
Reaction to Biren Singh’s audio leaks
The Wire asked Akoijam about his reaction to its recent series of articles covering audio recordings purportedly featuring the voice of chief minister Biren Singh. In one of these recordings the voice is heard discussing the government’s use of bombs in the conflict.
Akoijam said: “That’s a minor issue for me. My message to the chief minister and his bosses sitting in Delhi is simple: stop shifting the narrative and end the violence immediately. Do you think this kind of violence would have been allowed to happen in UP or Bihar? Absolutely not. The violence would have been quelled long ago. This government has failed to act decisively as they take Manipur [to be] an accessory that India is wearing and don’t care about it.”
The demographic shift in Moreh
Moreh, a town along Manipur’s border with Myanmar, has witnessed significant demographic change over the years. The Inner Manipur MP raised concerns over the shifting population dynamics in the region.
“If you look at the population before 1992, Kukis were not even significantly present in Moreh before the Kuki-Naga crisis. So, how did they become the majority in Moreh? The Wire published a story in 2016 where some Kukis dismissed India’s international boundary, asserting, ‘We are the same ethnic group across the border.’ They are the ones who have blurred the line between citizens and non-citizens. Given their mobilisation, the demographic changes need thorough investigation.
“Out of 19 reserved seats for STs, plus one non-reserved Kangpokpi seat, which is always won by an ST, the balance used to favor the Nagas, who won 12 seats. Now, it’s evenly split, and soon it might be 12 Kukis and eight Nagas. I’m not saying this shift is due to outsiders, but it must be investigated.”
Addressing the path to peace
Discussing the possibility of peace, Akoijam remarked, “If separate administrations or special arrangements are made because of identity concerns, India will face a significant issue. The government needs to take a strong stance against identity, especially exclusivist and communal demands, but without ignoring legitimate concerns about governance and fair distribution. Dialogue can address these issues.
“The police and the Assam Rifles should maintain a neutral stance on the incidents happening in Manipur.”
Akoijam continued: “I want to ask, whether you are an IPS officer or an army general – there are over 60,000 personnel, including the Manipur police. How did 60,000 people lose their homes under your watch? Besides the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, there is Section 131 of the CrPC, which allows them to respond even without government permission; yet in their presence, 60,000 homes were lost.”
The Congress’s role in the Manipur violence
When asked about his party’s role in the ongoing violence, the Congress MP acknowledged the limited influence his party currently holds.
“With only five MLAs, the Congress has little representation, but we’ve managed to strengthen the opposition. Now, there’s a strong voice from Manipur raising these critical issues, unlike the previous MPs who remained silent – and continue to do so. The Congress has provided a platform for us to express our frustrations and bring our concerns to the forefront. I’ve seen how headlines were made when Manipur’s MLAs met Amit Shah, only to be reprimanded and sent back.”
Future plans as a Congress MP
When asked of his future plans and how he would have handled the situation if the Congress were in power in Manipur, he said, “I am relentlessly raising issues related to Manipur both inside and outside parliament, even though I rarely receive satisfactory responses. Still, I continue to hold the government accountable.
“Had the Congress been in power in Manipur and allowed the violence to persist, I would have resigned as an MP the very next day.”
Ali is a journalist.
