Meek government, belligerent rebels compound Manipur anarchy (News Analysis)

IMPHAL - Manipur state in India’s northeast is becoming a lawless region with militants killing government officials and Hindi-speakers, triggering explosions, kidnapping people for ransom, and extorting money from even temples, while educational institutions have been shut since September.

“It is total anarchy here. There is nothing called law or government in Manipur at present,” said T. Singh, a rights campaigner.

Five people, including a woman, were injured in a grenade attack outside a private hospital in the capital Imphal Sunday evening - the rebels lobbed the grenade and escaped on a motorcycle.

“Incidents of explosions and killings are commonplace and there is nothing called security in Manipur now. It is luck and destiny as you never know if you would reach back home safely once you are out on work,” rued Anita Devi, a businesswoman in Imphal.

Attacks on people from outside the state, most of them Hindi-speaking daily wage earners or doing petty business, are on the rise. Twenty nine have been killed so far this year, including three in the past four days in separate incidents.

“We are here for earning a livelihood. Many have fled the state fearing more attacks and I might also do the same,” Rajinder Singh, a handcart puller originally from Bihar, said.

Singh is now staying with about 100-odd migrant workers huddled together at a makeshift camp in Imphal opened by the government for security reasons.

It is not only non-locals who are targeted in Manipur now - even locals are not safe.

Two local employees of Airtel were kidnapped Dec 17 near Imphal by unidentified gunmen - one of them was rescued by the police, the fate of the other is not known.

“It is for ransom that militants kidnap people from the government or private concerns. Kidnapping has become a big business for the rebels,” said a senior police official.

It is not just militants wreaking havoc and the government clueless in Manipur, even pressure groups are holding the state to ransom.

Educational institutions have remained closed since Sep 9 with students on the brink of losing a vital academic session.

The indefinite closure of all schools and colleges was called by the All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU), demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh following the alleged extra judicial killing of a youth in July.

Nearly four months down the line, the Manipur government has failed to break the impasse.

Militants are also extorting money from temples.

“Militants are forcibly taking a percentage from donations and offerings given to various temples,” said Okram Ibobi Singh, admitting to the reign of terror unleashed by separatists in the state.

Capital punishment meted out by militant groups in Manipur has now become almost routine - from drug peddlers to alleged corrupt officials, the rebels spare none.

In most of these incidents, militants have killed after the victims either refused to pay extortion money or simply ignored their warnings.

Even doctors are under threat. The state’s premier facility, the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), is contemplating shutting its doors following threats by rebels.

Residents admit that the state of 2.4 million people is fast turning into a lawless region with militants dictating terms. The civil administration virtually does not exist in many places.

There are some 20 militant groups active in Manipur, bordering Myanmar; their demands range from secession to greater autonomy.