Manipur, it's not (US-)Russia-Ukraine

President's Rule was finally imposed in Manipur last week. It doesn't erase the fact that the handling of 21 months of ethnic violence, which claimed over 250 lives and uprooted 60,000, has been nothing short of incompetent, both by GoI and the state government under N Biren Singh, who had resigned on Feb 9.

Singh stepped down only after the Supreme Court sought a sealed cover report from Central Forensic Science Laboratory, which is examining 'leaked audio tapes' allegedly implicating him in fuelling ethnic conflict. These allegations had been swirling for months. With trust between the warring Kukis and Meiteis - and faith in the state government's impartiality - already at rock bottom, even a hint of doubt should have been enough to remove Singh and attempt damage control. Yet, nothing was done.

This is the 11th time since 1951 that President's Rule has been imposed in Manipur, a testament to the state's fragile politics, a contested space where 30 communities coexist, some precariously. With central rule now in place, there is an opportunity to set things right: recover looted police weapons and ammunition; restore rule of law by reining in non-state actors engaged in extortion and obstruction of law enforcement; and ensure an equitable distribution of development funds, infrastructure and political power between hill tribes and valley people, the latter having held a disproportionate share of power. These changes can happen only if genuinely strong institutions of governance that serve both the underdeveloped hill districts and Imphal Valley are built. But, above all, trust between the hill and valley communities must be rebuilt. Without it, lasting peace will remain elusive, and the situation will stay 'tinderbox'.