By Xavier Pfokrehe Mao
The continuing violence in Manipur is no longer merely a regional law-and-order problem; it has become a moral crisis for the Indian state. At the heart of this crisis lies a deeply troubling question: Can a democracy claim legitimacy while allowing the unchecked use of force against its own citizens?
The deployment of security forces in conflict zones is often justified in the name of national security and stability. Yet, what we are witnessing in Manipur today is not simply the restoration of order but a pattern of actions that raise serious concerns about accountability, proportionality, and impartiality. When security forces become agents of fear rather than protectors of peace, the line between governance and coercion begins to blur.
Recent incidents illustrate this disturbing trend. In Churachandpur, violence on March 25–26 resulted in civilian deaths and dozens injured after security personnel reportedly opened fire on protestors. In Imphal, further casualties followed in early April under similar circumstances. On April 25, along National Highway 102A, personnel of the Assam Rifles allegedly rammed through civilian barricades, leaving individuals seriously injured, including a woman critically harmed and another reportedly wounded by gunfire. These are not isolated incidents; they point to a pattern that demands urgent national scrutiny.
Equally alarming are persistent allegations of partisan conduct by security forces, including units such as the Assam Rifles and the Mahar Regiment. In a region already fractured along ethnic and communal lines, even the perception of bias can intensify conflict. A force that is not seen as neutral ceases to be a peacekeeping institution and becomes part of the problem.
This pattern is not new. The memory of the December 4, 2021 killings in Oting in Nagaland where 14 Konyak Naga civilians were killed in an operation by the Indian Army remains a scar on the conscience of the nation. The subsequent closure of proceedings by the Supreme Court of India in 2024, citing the absence of prosecution sanction under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), has only deepened the perception that the law shields power rather than protects citizens.
Let us be clear: a law that effectively places state actors beyond accountability undermines the very foundation of constitutional democracy. AFSPA, in its current form, has come to symbolize not security but impunity. Its continued enforcement in large parts of the North-East raises a fundamental ethical question: Can justice coexist with immunity from prosecution?
The Indian Constitution promises equality before the law and the protection of life and liberty. Yet, for many in the North-East, these promises appear conditional suspended under the weight of militarization. This is not merely a legal anomaly; it is a moral failure.
The great ethical traditions of India stand in stark contrast to this reality. Mahatma Gandhi warned that unjust means inevitably corrupt noble ends. Rabindranath Tagore cautioned against a nationalism that sacrifices humanity at the altar of unity. The teachings of Gautama Buddha and Mahavira remind us that non-violence and compassion are not abstract ideals but practical necessities for any just society.
Modern ethical philosophy reinforces this insight. Immanuel Kant insists that human beings must always be treated as ends in themselves, never merely as means. Emmanuel Levinas goes further, arguing that our primary ethical responsibility lies in responding to the vulnerability of the Other. In Manipur today, the “Other” is not an abstraction, it is the ordinary citizen caught between violence and the overwhelming force of the state.
The Government of India, under the leadership of Narendra Modi, must confront this crisis with honesty and courage. Silence, denial, or selective acknowledgment will only deepen alienation and mistrust. The people of the North-East do not seek special privilege; they seek justice, dignity, and equal citizenship.
What, then, must be done?
First, there must be independent, transparent investigations into all allegations of excessive force, with accountability that does not stop at institutional boundaries. Second, the operational protocols of security forces must be urgently reviewed to ensure strict adherence to restraint and neutrality. Third, the continued application of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act must be subjected to a serious, time-bound reconsideration. A democracy cannot indefinitely rely on extraordinary laws without eroding its own moral authority. Finally, there must be a renewed commitment to political dialogue and reconciliation, recognizing that lasting peace cannot be imposed—it must be built.
The crisis in Manipur is not a peripheral issue; it is a test of India’s democratic soul. A nation that aspires to global leadership must first demonstrate justice within its own borders. National integration cannot be achieved through fear or force; it must be rooted in trust, fairness, and ethical governance. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”
The time to act is now—not only to restore order, but to restore faith.
(The writer is a professor in the Department of Philosophy at NEHU Shillong)
