The ongoing conflict in Myanmar between the junta and ethnic rebels, particularly in areas bordering India. It highlights the territorial gains made by the rebels and the challenges faced by the coup regime.
The ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities in Manipur continues to escalate, with frequent violent occurrences and provocative moves from both sides.
The Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), representing Kuki-Zo groups, has announced its pursuit of "self-rule" with a separate "chief minister" in districts dominated by the tribal community, further hardening stances and prolonging the conflict.
This move, which has no legal basis, is likely to anger Meiteis, especially those who are concerned about special land ownership rights for tribals in the State's hill districts.
The announcement came shortly after meetings between an Intelligence Bureau team, Ministry of Home Affairs officials, and representatives from Churachandpur, indicating a lack of effective government intervention.
The Union government has not made any changes in the leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led State government, despite its failures in maintaining law and order, which has been a key demand from the Kuki-Zo community representatives.
The government has relied on paramilitary forces to control the violence in areas near the Imphal valley and the hill areas, using provisions of Article 355 to maintain peace, despite denying its imposition in the State.
The Manipur government has implemented a ploy to retain the support of Meitei partisans and address the Kuki-Zo people's distrust of the State police.
However, this has resulted in a sharpening of the divide between the two communities, with partisans on either side raging against these half-measures.
The absence of a clear détente and a dialogue process has made peace-building difficult.
Unless the BJP's central leadership changes its strategy of maintaining a discreet silence and using administrative ploys, the conflict in Manipur is likely to continue.
The ongoing conflict in Myanmar between the junta and ethnic rebels, particularly in areas bordering India. It highlights the territorial gains made by the rebels and the challenges faced by the coup regime.
The Three Brotherhood Alliance, a coalition of ethnic minority armed groups, launched a coordinated offensive against the junta in Myanmar.
The rebels claimed to have made territorial gains on Myanmar's border with China and many junta forces surrendered.
Clashes have occurred in the Rakhine State and Chin State, which borders India.
The junta has responded to battlefield setbacks by carrying out air strikes, resulting in heavy civilian casualties.
Myint Swe, the military-appointed President, acknowledged the challenges posed by the rebel offensive.
The military toppled the elected government in February 2021 and used force to establish order, leading to the imprisonment of pro-democracy politicians and a violent crackdown on protests.
Over 4,000 civilians and pro-democracy activists have been killed, and 20,000 people have been jailed by the military.
The UN estimates that 1.7 million people have been displaced from their homes.
The junta's violence has not succeeded in stabilizing the country.
The pro-democracy movement in Myanmar has shifted from peaceful resistance to forming an underground government and establishing a militia wing.
The movement has joined forces with ethnic rebels, leading to territorial gains and multiple fronts against the junta.
The junta is facing regional isolation, particularly in ASEAN.
The rebels are demanding a federal democratic system with greater autonomy for ethnic minority regions.
Major regional players, including ASEAN, should take a proactive role in achieving a ceasefire and promoting meaningful dialogue for restoring democracy and freedoms in Myanmar.
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