SoO far, yet so close in Manipur

Escalation of violence in Manipur last week demonstrates how quickly localised incidents ignite widespread turmoil. At the centre of the current surge of political anger is the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement, a tripartite ceasefire signed in August 2008 between GoI, Manipur, and 25 Kuki-Zo militant groups in Manipur and Nagaland. The pact required armed cadres to remain confined to camps, store weapons, and refrain from offensive actions in exchange for stipends and political talks. But valley groups and Naga organisations are demanding abrogation of the pact, alleging that insurgent groups leave camps to attack other groups. Manipur goes to polls early next year, and the status of the SoO agreement is a key issue.

Over recent years, Manipur has been gripped by recurring inter-community violence. The catalyst for the May 3, 2023, unrest was the persistent push by Meitei community for ST recognition, which would grant them access to rights long reserved for tribal populations like Kuki-Zos and Nagas. There has also been conflicts between Kukis and Nagas, and tension between Meitei Hindus and Pangal Muslims. Many of these deep-seated fractures date back to British rule, and the failure to resolve them in 1947 allowed resentment to deepen - eventually leading militant factions to take up arms for their respective causes.

Peace is a tortuous, multi-layered process. As formal mechanisms fracture amid armed vigilantism and weak institutional enforcement, signed papers offer no defence against community-level conflict. Lasting peace can't be achieved through executive signatures or unilateral declarations. It demands painstaking groundwork, transparent accountability, rigorous recovery of illicit armaments and inclusive dialogue.