Decoding the Manipur crisis

Meiteis are seeking inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe list. (Photo credit /PTI)

Mistrust between communities accentuated by developmental disparities

“This demand is more than a decade old. Those seeking ST status say it is not only about reservation benefits but also protection of their land. This northeastern state is roughly divided into two regions — a central, fertile riverine valley constituting less than 10 per cent of the state’s land area, surrounded by hills which account for the remaining 90 per cent. This is a peculiarly skewed legacy of the British policy of separating ‘non-revenue hills’ from ‘revenue plains’ after they took control of Manipur in 1891. This was done on the pattern of the revenue administration mechanism they introduced in Assam through the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873. Hence, the Meiteis, who account for about 52 per cent of the state’s population, came to be restricted within the small valley.”

By Pradip Phanjoubam

The crisis in Manipur following the outbreak of communal violence between two ethnic groups, Kukis and Meiteis, in several townships is now generally under control, but the situation remains volatile and tense as there are many people dislodged from their homes and taking shelter in relief camps on the campuses of police and paramilitary establishments. The Meiteis see themselves as getting marginalised and thus feel the need for protection through ST status.

Manipur has three major ethnic groups — Nagas, Kukis and Meiteis — the last being the largest. The former two are Scheduled Tribes (ST), and the cause of the present conflict is a demand by a growing section of the latter to also be included in the ST list.

This demand is more than a decade old. Those seeking ST status say it is not only about reservation benefits but also protection of their land. This northeastern state is roughly divided into two regions — a central, fertile riverine valley constituting less than 10 per cent of the state’s land area, surrounded by hills which account for the remaining 90 per cent.

This is a peculiarly skewed legacy of the British policy of separating ‘non-revenue hills’ from ‘revenue plains’ after they took control of Manipur in 1891. This was done on the pattern of the revenue administration mechanism they introduced in Assam through the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873. Hence, the Meiteis, who account for about 52 per cent of the state’s population, came to be restricted within the small valley.While the sparsely populated hills are out of bounds for them, their valley homeland follows the modern land revenue administration, and is open to settlement by any Indian. This being so, over 60 per cent of the state’s population now lives in the valley, while the hills, reserved for the Nagas and Kukis, remain sparsely populated.

In modern times, as their living space has got increasingly crowded, the Meiteis have come to be gripped by a peculiar sense of siege, especially because of layered relations with the hill tribes, which on the one hand are marked by fraternal feelings and on the other by deep mistrust. This mistrust is accentuated by the usual developmental disparities between the hills and the plains, which the residents of the hills see as the outcome of discriminatory policies.

If the Meiteis see themselves as getting marginalized in terms of land and jobs — and thus feel the need for protection through ST status — those who are already part of the ST list see this as a portent of their own slices of the reservation pie getting smaller. They also fear Meitei incursion into the hills if they too become STs. This latter apprehension is a fallacy, for even within existing ST communities, incursions into each other’s traditional territorial boundaries are forbidden, and if and when these happen, can result in violent conflicts, as evidenced by the bloody Naga-Kuki conflict in Manipur in the 1990s.A memorandum urging the state government to send a recommendation to the Centre regarding the Meiteis’ ST status was kept in cold storage for over a decade, probably in view of those within the Meitei community who did not want it, and also the opposition from Nagas and Kukis. Those demanding ST status eventually petitioned the Manipur High Court. On April 19, the court directed the state government to do the needful and forward its recommendation to the Union Government.

This was not taken kindly by the tribal groups and a series of condemnations and protests followed, earning even the ire of the HC. The May 3 rally was the climactic crescendo of these protests. The rally in Churachandpur turned violent when a rumor broke out that the Kuki war heroes’ memorial complex in a suburb bordering the valley district of Bisnupur had been burnt down by Meiteis. A mob went on the rampage, burning down several Meitei settlements around Torbung village. The memorial site was later found intact, but some say a small tyre was found burning outside the gate and this was read as a message of violent intent.There are reasons why the Kukis responded more aggressively than the Nagas. For some time now, a narrative that the Kukis are illegal migrants has been propagated by certain quarters. This is at best a half-truth. Rivals, however, took advantage of it to humiliate the Kukis by dubbing them as ‘refugees’ and it is imaginable how latent anger would have built up within the community.

Again, a peculiar landholding tradition among the Kukis, coupled with an instable subsistence farming which cannot support large populations, has meant a tendency of Kuki villages to periodically splinter and proliferate. Kuki villages are owned by chiefs. Since only one of the chief’s male children would inherit the chieftaincy of the village, other siblings and other capable villagers often part ways to establish their own villages. This has often brought them in conflict with their neighbors in the hills, the Nagas.

In recent times, even government institutions, by insinuation, have been using this tendency of the Kukis to humiliate them. Things came to such a pass that even normal government measures such as eviction drives from reserved forests or the fight against poppy plantations came to be seen as targeting the Kukis. Then, on March 10, in a very arbitrary move, the state Cabinet took the decision to pull out of a tripartite Suspension of Operations (SOO) agreement with two Kuki militant groups, the Kuki National Army and the Zomi Revolutionary Army, from among the 24 who had signed this agreement, again implying that they were party to encroachments in forests for poppy plantations and that they were of foreign origin. The SOO pact being a tripartite truce also including the Union Government, it is unlikely that this rash decision would be okayed, but the hurt the Kukis would have felt is obvious.
(The author is a senior journalist and author)

454 Comments

  1. Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or
    something. I think that you can do with some pics to drive the message home a little bit, but instead of that, this is wonderful blog.

    A fantastic read. I’ll certainly be back.

  2. I’ve been browsing on-line more than three hours nowadays,
    yet I never found any fascinating article like yours.
    It is pretty worth enough for me. Personally,
    if all site owners and bloggers made excellent content material
    as you did, the net can be much more useful than ever before.

  3. Thank you for posting for a thought-provoking article on the Dallas real estate market. Finding reliable cash home buyers in Dallas can be difficult, particularly if you need to sell quickly and avoid the hassles of the past

  4. As a new parent, I’m attempting to find a nurturing ecosystem with strong communication and nontoxic youngster rooms. I heard useful things about neighborhood classes in Costa Mesa—does ##anyKeyword## be offering day-by-day studies and snapshot updates?

  5. Loved your mention of insulation options! Living in a cold climate, adding an insulated door made a huge difference. For anyone else considering this upgrade, Select Garage Doors’ resources on ##anyKeyword## are super helpful.

  6. So much valuable information shared regarding troubleshooting common issues with home heating/cooling devices; individuals inhabiting areas close by—such as charming downtowns like those found within scenic l

  7. In Dallas, this article provides some insightful insights into the sale of a home quickly. The advice about working with cash home buyers was specifically helpful for me as someone looking at options to sell my home without the regular issues

  8. I’ve been searching for the best Chiropractor near me in St Augustine and kept seeing fantastic reviews about Pain Relief Centre. After my very first browse through, I understood why– specialist treatment, individualized therapy, and actual outcomes

  9. I’ve been searching for asuper knowledgeable St. Augustine Realtor and Shelby Hodges Group hands down stands apart in St Augustine. Their local expertise, responsiveness, and performance history made my home search so much smoother

  10. For homeowners looking to sell quickly, this article provided some insightful insights into the Dallas housing market. It’s encouraging to hear sound advice for those who want to skip the long classic selling process

  11. Hybrid work introduced new risks for R&D teams. Managed endpoint security, zero trust, and compliant collaboration tools are key. Consider ##anyKeyword## if you need secure remote access that still meets regulatory expectations.

  12. the whole rental went without a hitch the roll-off showed up on time and the driver placed it exactly on the gravel patch we cleared out which made everything simpler we filled it with yard waste from our landscaping project mostly branches dirt

  13. I have actually been looking for the best Chiropractor near me in St Augustine and maintained seeing terrific reviews about Pain Relief Centre. After my initial go to, I comprehended why– specialist care, personalized therapy, and actual results

  14. After trying a number of other pest control companies, Eagle Pest Solutions genuinely stood out with quick reaction times, knowledgeable service technicians, and long-lasting outcomes, as the best pest control near me in Palm Coast.

  15. I’ve been looking for a reliable real estate agent near me and Shelby Hodges Group regularly stands apart in St Augustine. After comparing market insights and current customer reviews, their local competence and clear interaction genuinely impressed me

  16. I recently discovered authentic Mexican food in New Orleans and was blown away by the flavors at Felipe’s Mexican Taqueria! If you’re looking for true street-style tacos, I highly recommend checking out ##anyKeyword##.

  17. the whole rental went without a hitch the roll-off showed up on time and the driver placed it exactly on the gravel patch we cleared out which made everything simpler we filled it with yard waste from our landscaping project mostly branches dirt

  18. After trying numerous other pest control businesses, Eagle Pest Solutions really stood out with quick reaction times, well-informed specialists, and lasting results, as the very best pest control near me in St Augustine.

  19. I have actually been searching for the best Chiropractor near me in St Augustine and maintained seeing wonderful testimonials regarding Pain Relief Centre. After my initial go to, I recognized why– specialist care, tailored therapy, and real results

  20. Cybersecurity is definitely the missing piece for many local companies. We’ve had success with layered defenses and routine patching—##anyKeyword## offers comprehensive managed security in Westlake Village that’s worth a look.

  21. I have actually been searching for an excellent Realtor in St Augustine and Shelby Hodges Group undoubtedly stands out in St Augustine. Their local know-how, responsiveness, and track record made my home search a lot smoother

  22. This article provided incredibly de-insightful details about selling homes in Dallas fast. I’ve been looking at options for a quick sale and was particularly interested in information on local cash home buyers

  23. I’ve been researching back pain relief options in Ventura County and keep seeing great feedback about local care. If anyone has experience with a Thousand Oaks chiropractor, I’d love recommendations—also checking out ##anyKeyword## for more info.

  24. Whenever friends visit from out of town, I take them straight to Felipe’s Mexican Taqueria for their amazing chips and queso before we hit up any bars or clubs nearby! Found this spot through ##anyKeyword##.

  25. I’ve been searching for a super experienced St. Augustine Realtor and Shelby Hodges Group consistently stands apart in St Augustine. Their regional competence, responsiveness, and performance history made my home search a lot smoother

  26. Great breakdown of posture mistakes. My back pain improved after following similar advice from a top clinic. For those comparing options, ##anyKeyword## has detailed info on choosing the best chiropractor.

  27. Appreciate comprehensive nature addressing concerns frequently faced throughout stages lifecycle projects undertaken encompassing planning execution monitoring phases ensuring success achieved consistently delivering desired results meeting expectations

  28. I’ve been looking for a trustworthy Realtor in St Augustine and Shelby Hodges Group always stands apart in St Augustine. Their local know-how, responsiveness, and track record made my home search so much smoother

  29. After hiring a multitude of other pest control companies, Eagle Pest Solutions genuinely stood out with quick reaction times, well-informed technicians, and long-lasting outcomes, as the best pest control near me in St Augustine.

  30. I’ve been looking for the most effective Chiropractor near me in St Augustine and kept seeing great reviews regarding Pain Relief Centre. After my very first check out, I comprehended why– specialist treatment, customized treatment, and real results

  31. I’ve been searching for a trustworthy Realtor near me in St Augustine and Shelby Hodges Group undoubtedly stands apart in St Augustine. Their local proficiency, responsiveness, and performance history made my home search so much smoother

  32. Great timing for this article! Spring is absolutely the best time for roof restoration work in Sydney. The mild weather allows proper curing of sealants and coatings, and you’re getting ahead of the summer heat and potential storm damage.

  33. I’ve been looking for a top rated real estate agent near me and Shelby Hodges Group undoubtedly stands out in St Augustine. After comparing market insights and recent customer reviews, their regional know-how and clear communication really impressed me

  34. Dumpster Champs made my garage cleanout project in Memphis so much easier than I expected. Their customer service team was knowledgeable and walked me through everything, including choosing the right dumpster size

  35. My spouse and I stumbled over here different website and
    thought I might as well check things out. I like what I see
    so i am just following you. Look forward to exploring your web page yet again.

  36. Thank you a bunch for sharing this with all folks you
    actually realize what you’re talking about! Bookmarked.
    Please also seek advice from my site =). We could have a link change contract
    between us

  37. Wonderful paintings! This is the kind of info that are meant to be shared around the web. Shame on the search engines for no longer positioning this submit upper! Come on over and discuss with my website . Thank you =)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.