Wed Dec 25 14:27:09 UTC 2024: ## Manipur Peace Hinges on Disarmament and Rule of Law: Former Judge
**New Delhi –** Former Manipur High Court Chief Justice Siddharth Mridul stressed the paramount importance of restoring the rule of law and disarming all armed groups in violence-torn Manipur as the key to achieving peace. Speaking at a Delhi event on Tuesday, Justice Mridul emphasized that internally displaced persons (IDPs), numbering at least 50,000 from both the Meitei and Kuki communities, should be allowed to return home, provided a secure environment is established.
He firmly rejected suggestions that some civil society organizations are preventing IDPs’ return, stating that “the IDPs are not their hostages”. The former Chief Justice highlighted the need for disarmament of all illegal weapons, whether looted or smuggled, and for government-mediated dialogue as the path forward. He alluded to external forces fueling the conflict, echoing the Supreme Court’s concerns about those “keeping the pot boiling,” even as periods of calm are punctuated by renewed violence.
Justice Mridul, who served as Chief Justice from October 2023 until last month, noted that despite periods without violence, normalcy has yet to be restored since the ethnic clashes began in May 2023. He expressed concern about a lack of clear leadership in addressing the crisis.
Retired Major General Rajan Kochhar highlighted the critical role of trust in restoring peace, warning that without it, internal and external forces will exploit the divisions. He raised concerns about the influx of people from Myanmar and the need for community involvement in identifying militants among civilians, emphasizing that internal “buffer zones” are unacceptable.
Dr. Arambam Noni, an associate professor at DM University, warned against the dangers of ethnocentric homeland demands, arguing that such claims threaten the existence of smaller communities within the diverse state of Manipur and set a dangerous precedent. He also questioned the modern state’s ability to accommodate the free flow of populations across borders in the name of cultural solidarity.
The ongoing crisis is further complicated by the Kuki tribes’ demand for a separate administration before engaging in talks, a condition rejected by Meitei leaders who argue that IDPs should be allowed to return home irrespective of territorial claims. This disagreement underscores the deep-seated ethnic tensions and the complex political landscape hindering peace efforts in Manipur. The situation is further exacerbated by the second winter that IDPs are enduring in relief camps.
First Piper 