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Healing Manipur: A Fragile Peace
President’s Rule in Manipur has been extended due to ongoing ethnic conflict. Though violence has reduced, peace remains fragile and needs genuine reconciliation.
1. President’s Rule: Reduced but Necessary
Use of President’s Rule has reduced since the 1990s.
This change happened due to:
S.R. Bommai judgment
Rise of regional parties
Public dislike for misuse
Now it is used only for serious issues like security breakdowns, as in Manipur.
2. Current Situation in Manipur
President’s Rule extended from August 13 for six more months.
Resignation of N. Biren Singh and fall of the BJP government brought some calm.
Crackdown on militant groups reduced violence.
Some displaced families (since May 2023) are returning home.
3. Deep Ethnic Divide Remains
Ethnic divide between Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities continues.
Manipur still has buffer zones that keep groups separated.
Political gap is wide:
Kuki-Zo want a separate administration.
Hardline Meitei groups call others “outsiders”.
4. Steps to Maintain Order
De-weaponisation and control of militant groups must continue.
These actions:
Reduce impunity
Encourage moderate voices for peace
Under Mr. Singh, activists who spoke against biased governance were targeted.
5. Political Support is Needed
Administrative actions are not enough.
The BJP had support in both hills and valley but failed to reduce ethnic tension.
National BJP leaders were not serious about solving the issue.
They left it to officials and security forces.
6. Reconciliation Must Begin
Success of President’s Rule should not be judged by lack of violence alone.
The Centre must help build political conditions to bridge the divide.
But others must help too:
Political parties
Civil society groups
They must stand against hardliners and start the hard work of reconciliation.
Manipur’s future depends on leaders who can go beyond ethnic lines and bring true healing.
Content Tag: Manipur Conflict: President’s Rule, ethnic divide, peace efforts, militant crackdown, political role in reconciliation
CBSE Relevance :
Relevant for understanding federalism, President’s Rule, ethnic conflict, and the role of political and civil society in restoring peace. Useful for Political Science and Contemporary India.
Top Vocabulary:
| Word/Phrase | Meaning (Simple) |
|---|---|
| President’s Rule | Centre controls the state government |
| Reconciliation | Restoring peace between divided groups |
| Buffer zones | Areas that separate different communities |
| Impunity | Being free from punishment |
| De-weaponisation | Removing weapons from violent groups |
| Ethnic schism | Deep divide between communities |
| Civil society | Citizens’ groups outside the government |
Kargil, Pahalgam and a revamp of the security strategy
1. Kargil War Anniversary and National Memory
The Kargil War (May 3 – July 26, 1999) between India and Pakistan was fought in the icy heights of Kashmir.
It was India’s first televised war and brought scenes of battle into Indian homes.
Victory was achieved through the determination and courage of Indian armed forces.
India evicted Pakistani troops and forced them to withdraw and accept a ceasefire.
2. 2025 Pahalgam Attack and Operation Sindoor
On April 22, 2025, Pakistan-based terrorists attacked tourists in Pahalgam, Kashmir, killing 26 civilians (only men).
In response, India launched Operation Sindoor (May 7–10, 2025), its strongest-ever military action against Pakistan's terror infrastructure.
In 96 hours, Indian forces:
Struck 9 terror bases and 11 military air-bases in Pakistan.
Reportedly used BrahMos missiles to hit Nur Khan Base near Kirana Hills, damaging a key nuclear weapons storage site.
Pakistan requested an immediate ceasefire after this.
Just like Kargil was a milestone in conventional warfare, Pahalgam became a new standard for counter-terror action.
3. Strategic Lessons from the Kargil War
Nuclear Context and Political Challenges
Kargil happened soon after India and Pakistan both tested nuclear weapons in 1998.
India was weak economically, had a coalition government, and faced global criticism and sanctions.
PM Vajpayee had recently attempted peace with Pakistan (Lahore Bus Visit, February 1999).
Military and Intelligence Weaknesses
Intelligence agencies failed to detect Pakistan’s military infiltration.
There was no real-time intelligence or aerial surveillance, leading to delayed response.
Shortcomings in:
High-altitude warfare preparedness
Artillery and logistics
Communication systems
4. Post-Kargil Structural and Institutional Reforms
Intelligence Reforms
New agencies created:
Defence Intelligence Agency (2002)
National Technical Research Organisation (2004)
Strengthened coordination between:
RAW, IB, and military intelligence.
National Security Council Secretariat and Joint Intelligence Committee were restructured.
Permanent post of National Security Adviser (NSA) introduced under the Prime Minister.
Military Modernisation
Kargil triggered urgent upgrades in defence strategy and equipment.
Realisation that India must become self-reliant due to lack of reliable global allies.
Led to the Cold Start Doctrine (rapid, limited, conventional strikes without nuclear escalation).
Focus on mountain warfare: Indian Army raised a Mountain Corps.
Importance of joint command between Army, Navy, and Air Force recognised.
Initiated:
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) post (2019)
Ongoing setup of Integrated Theatre Commands
Weaponry and Technology
Emphasis on indigenous defence production:
Rafale fighters, Apache and Chinook helicopters
S-400 missile defence
BrahMos missiles
Home-made artillery systems
5. India’s Evolving Fight Against Terrorism
Early Weaknesses in Response
After Kargil, India remained reactive to terror threats.
Major terror attacks:
Hijack of IC-814 (Dec 24, 1999) — India released terrorists.
Parliament attack (Dec 13, 2001) — led to military build-up (Operation Parakram), but no strike.
Mumbai 26/11 attacks (Nov 2008) — India didn’t respond militarily.
Shift in Strategy After 2016
Uri Attack (Sep 18, 2016): India carried out surgical strikes across LoC.
Pulwama Attack (Feb 14, 2019): IAF struck JeM camp in Balakot (Feb 26, 2019) — first air strike across Pakistan airspace.
6. Pahalgam: A New Era in Counter-Terrorism
The Pahalgam attack led to India's most forceful response yet.
Operation Sindoor showed India’s capability to:
Target deep inside Pakistan
Destroy both terror camps and military assets
Message: No more restraint — Pakistan will pay heavily for terror attacks.
7. Final Message and Future Vigilance
From Kargil to Pahalgam, India has learned important lessons.
May 2025 proved India’s military readiness and strength of 'Make in India' defence production.
India’s fight against terrorism now has a strong and clear message.
Political and military leadership must stay alert and prepared.
Another Kargil or Pahalgam must be prevented at all costs.
Content Tag: India’s Counter-Terrorism Shift: From Kargil to Pahalgam – Strategy, Reforms, and Military Power
Importance of Mangroves: Then and Now
Before the late 1980s, only coastal communities saw the value of mangroves for fishing and livelihoods.
Today, mangroves are widely recognised for:
Disaster risk reduction
Climate adaptation and carbon storage
Boosting coastal fisheries
Protecting bird sanctuaries
Turning Point: M.S. Swaminathan’s Role (1989 Onward)
In 1989, at a climate conference in Tokyo, M.S. Swaminathan highlighted how rising sea levels and frequent cyclones (due to climate change) would damage coastal areas and livelihoods.
He called for urgent sustainable mangrove management.
His approach was based on:
Ecology
Economics
Equity
Research on transferring salinity-tolerance genes from mangroves to rice and other crops
The scientist who made ‘mangroves’ a buzzword
1. Founding the International Society for Mangrove Ecosystems (ISME)
Established in 1990 in Okinawa, Japan
Swaminathan served as Founding President (till 1993)
2. Global Recognition
Co-authored the Charter for Mangroves, part of the World Charter for Nature (1992)
Still used as a global guide for mangrove conservation
3. ISME Activities
Evaluated mangrove economic and ecological value, including in India
Held workshops, published a manual, and created a World Mangrove Atlas
Changed perception: mangroves are not wastelands, but valuable multi-use ecosystems
Promotes applied research, training, and knowledge sharing
Creating Global Mangrove Infrastructure
Developed GLOMIS: Global Mangrove Database and Information System
Includes mangrove experts, research, species, and genetic data
In 1992, scientists (guided by Swaminathan) evaluated 23 mangrove sites across 9 countries
Helped set up Mangrove Genetic Resource Centres, now protected areas
Transforming India’s Mangrove Management
India’s mangrove clearance began in 1783, mainly in Sundarbans
Till 1980, mangroves were clear-felled for agriculture and settlements
Indian Forest (Conservation) Act of 1980 restricted this practice
Attempts to restore clear-felled mangroves failed; locals were blamed
Role of Swaminathan Foundation
From 1993, researchers worked with Tamil Nadu and other states
Found that biophysical damage (not community use) caused mangrove decline
Developed hydro-ecological “fishbone canal” restoration method
Applied in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal
Joint Mangrove Management Programme
Ministry of Environment and Forests reviewed this method in 2000
Recommended for use across India
Resulted in more government investment for mangrove conservation
Natural Disasters and Global Recognition
Mangroves helped reduce damage during:
1999 Odisha super cyclone
2004 Indian Ocean tsunami
Led to greater global respect for mangrove restoration
Rising Mangrove Cover in India
World Mangrove Day: July 26
ISFR 2023: India’s mangrove cover = 4,991.68 km² (0.15% of total area)
Increase of 16.68 km² from ISFR 2019 to ISFR 2023
Content Tag:
M.S. Swaminathan’s global and national efforts in mangrove restoration, research, and policy from 1989 to now.
SC: States Can’t Demand Delimitation Like J&K
1. No Discrimination by Centre
Supreme Court said the Centre did not discriminate against Andhra Pradesh and Telangana by only conducting delimitation in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in 2022.
The people’s “legitimate expectations” in AP and Telangana were not violated.
2. States and J&K Are Not Equal
J&K is a Union Territory, while Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are States.
They function under different constitutional rules.
So, delimitation in J&K cannot be used as a comparison or justification for States.
3. J&K Delimitation Based on 2011 Census
Delimitation in J&K was done under special rules.
It was based on the 2011 Census.
J&K is not affected by the freeze under Article 170 of the Constitution.
4. Constitutional Bar on States
Article 170(3) of the Constitution bars delimitation in States until after the first Census post-2026.
This means States cannot have delimitation until after the 2026 Census is completed.
5. Court Rejects Petition for AP and Telangana
Petition filed by Professor K. Purushottam Reddy asked for delimitation in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
He cited the J&K exercise as a precedent.
The Court rejected this, saying it cannot be applied to States due to the constitutional embargo.
6. Risks of Allowing State Delimitation Early
If delimitation is allowed in AP and Telangana before 2026:
It would destabilise the uniform electoral system.
It would blur the line between constitutional rules and political decisions.
It could lead to similar demands from other States.
7. Possible Impact on North-East States
The Court warned that allowing delimitation now could:
Cause discontent in other States.
Especially affect four North-Eastern States:
Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Nagaland
These were excluded from delimitation by a 2021 Central notification.
8. Final View of the Court
Supreme Court said:
Letting AP and Telangana go ahead would treat unequals equally, which is wrong.
Delimitation should follow the uniform national schedule.
The court cannot create exceptions just for some States.
Content Tag:
Supreme Court rules that States cannot demand delimitation like J&K due to constitutional freeze until post-2026 Census; J&K treated as a special case.
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