Amit Shah’s Miscalculated Move: How an Empty Bus Sparked Unrest in Manipur

March 8, 2025—International Women’s Day. A day meant to celebrate and honor women around the world. But in Kangpokpi district, it became a day of violence and anguish. More than 20 Kuki women, along with a few men, were brutally assaulted by security forces. Their crime? Protesting against Amit Shah’s bizarre decision to push an empty bus through their region under heavy security.

Why Now, Mr. Home Minister?
For the past 21 months, Amit Shah watched Manipur burn. He stayed silent while ethnic tensions spiraled out of control, while homes were set on fire, and while innocent lives were lost. He did nothing when Kukis were lynched, butchered, and driven out of Imphal.

But suddenly, after Biren Singh was forced out and President’s Rule was imposed, Shah decided to act. Not out of concern for Manipur’s people, but out of political desperation—to fix the BJP’s position in the state.

But instead of bringing peace, he made things worse.

The Highway Was Never Blocked—So What Was He Trying to Prove?
The National Highway (NH-2) was always open for transport. Trucks carried goods, private vehicles moved freely, and thousands of commuters traveled without disruption. The only ones avoiding it were Meiteis—out of fear of facing the same horrors they inflicted on Kukis in Imphal.

So why did Amit Shah order an MST bus—completely empty—to be forcefully driven through Kuki areas under heavy security?

If the bus had Meitei passengers, one could at least understand the need for security. But this? This was nothing more than an arrogant show of power, a manufactured crisis that served no real purpose. 

Unwarranted Move

1. A Political Stunt Disguised as Policy
Amit Shah’s decision wasn’t about restoring peace—it was about restoring BJP’s control in Manipur. After Biren Singh’s removal, the party needed a quick fix, and this bus stunt was meant to stage an illusion of “normalcy.” But instead of calming tensions, it inflamed them.

2. A Shameless Display of Arrogance
What was the need to push an empty bus through a volatile zone? Even Meitei organizations like FOCS struggled to convince their own people to join the convoy, and the security forces themselves advised against the plan. When the bus ultimately went through with no passengers, it became clear—this wasn’t about transportation. It was about showing dominance over Kuki areas.

This kind of arrogance does nothing but deepen the divide.

3. A Foolish Blunder or Meitei Bias?
Was Amit Shah misled by Meitei hardliners, or is he actively siding with them? Biren Singh had twice attempted to force MST buses through the buffer zone—created by Shah himself—but failed. Now, with Biren gone, Shah seems to be following the same script.

How exactly does pushing MST buses—an already loss-making government service—bring peace? Was this a setup to frame Kukis as “anti-government” and justify a harsher crackdown?

A Black Day for Kuki Women
The real tragedy unfolded when security forces turned their guns and batons on peaceful Kuki women. On a day dedicated to women’s rights, these women were thrashed, humiliated, and injured—for standing up against an unjustified military-backed operation.

Was this Amit Shah’s idea of peace? Sending troops to brutalize women protesting against his reckless decisions?

What Was the Real Agenda?
This entire operation raises serious questions:
Was this meant to provoke the Kukis into reacting, so the government could justify more repression?
Was it a staged performance to show that the central government was “restoring order” in Manipur?
Or was Amit Shah simply trying to project power in a state where BJP’s influence is slipping?

A Dangerous Precedent
Amit Shah has made a grave miscalculation. Instead of healing Manipur, he has only deepened the wounds. Instead of fostering peace, he has fueled more anger.

The message is clear: his priorities are not about justice, fairness, or reconciliation. They are about control.

But the people of Manipur, especially the Kukis, are not pawns in his political game. And they deserve better.

~ WAP

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