Manipur entered 2026 with cautious optimism. After months of relative calm under President’s Rule, the state saw progress in resettling internally displaced persons—around 10,000 individuals from over 2,200 households returned home, with 4,000 more houses under construction as part of a Rs 523 crore central rehabilitation package.
Civil society leaders, including those from the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), prepared to press for the fulfilment of resettlement promises through planned protests.
Yet, on January 5, this fragile peace was shattered by a series of IED blasts in Saiton-Nganukon, Bishnupur district, injuring two Meitei civilians and targeting abandoned homes of displaced families.
This incident follows a troubling pattern observed throughout the ethnic conflict that began in May 2023: whenever signs of normalcy emerge—be it reduced clashes, resettlement initiatives, or relaxed curfews—sporadic acts of violence, including gunshots, bombings, or attacks, erupt to reignite fear and division.
Whenever hope flickers—be it talks of restoring popular governance or tangible progress in resettling IDPs—violence swiftly follows, extinguishing the momentum.
When whispers of lifting President’s Rule and forming an elected government gain traction, an unfortunate incident inevitably occurs, reinforcing the narrative that lasting peace remains elusive and justifying continued central oversight.
Similarly, as resettlement efforts show promise—with thousands of displaced Meiteis beginning to return home under government rehabilitation schemes—targeted attacks on Meitei villages or returnees surge, sowing panic and prompting many to flee once again.
These calculated disruptions ensure that fragile gains are reversed and the cycle of displacement persists.
The question now looms large: Who benefits from these distraction games? Who are the unseen forces orchestrating incidents precisely when normalcy seems within reach?
In a conflict marked by deep ethnic divisions, such timed provocations serve to derail reconciliation, intimidate communities, and perpetuate a status quo that favours those thriving amid chaos.
The Saiton Nganukon blasts, occurring in an area under CRPF cover and just as returnees contemplated rebuilding lives, exemplify this cycle.
Angry locals dismantled security bunkers, accusing forces of lapses, while protests dominated public discourse, sidelining the core demand for complete IDP rehabilitation.
The timing invites scrutiny. Coming amid government assurances of phased resettlement and on the eve of heightened civil society mobilisation, the explosions shifted focus from administrative accountability to immediate security outrage.
Critics from Meitei organisations point to armed groups linked to the Kuki, alleging these acts intimidate potential returnees and consolidate control in contested areas.
Whether orchestrated or opportunistic, the outcome perpetuates displacement: abandoned homes become targets, sending a message that return remains perilous.
Are there unseen forces deliberately sabotaging peace? In a state riven by deep mistrust, where buffer zones separate communities and militant groups on both sides have resurfaced, such questions persist.
Meitei voices accuse Kuki militants of opposing coexistence to prevent territorial reintegration; conversely, Kuki representatives condemn violence while highlighting historical grievances. Both sides suffer, but the cycle benefits those who thrive on division—be they armed insurgents, vested interests, or elements exploiting the chaos.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has rightly taken over the Saiton probe, a step toward transparency. Yet, investigations alone cannot break the loop.
The administration must deliver on resettlement with ironclad security guarantees, ensuring safe returns without fear of reprisal. Confidence-building measures, impartial policing, and inclusive dialogue involving all stakeholders are imperative.
People of the state yearn for peace—a peace rooted in justice, rehabilitation, and unity. No hidden agenda, no provocative act, can ultimately derail this aspiration. Restoration of normalcy is inevitable, for the resilient spirit of Manipur demands it.
The government, civil society, and communities must unite to ensure that 2026 marks not another year of disruption, but the beginning of lasting healing.
Enjoy the Editorial of Signpost News, edited every Tuesday.
Signpost Editorial
View More PostsEnjoy the Editorial of Signpost News, edited every Tuesday.
