For the past few days, Manipur has been in the news for the war-like situation in the state. The disturbing photos and videos that went viral on social media describe the sorry state of affairs and how people themselves became enemies to each other.
About the issue
On 3rd May All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM) organised a Solidarity March against the high court order, which asks for recommendations from the government regarding the Scheduled Tribe status of the Meitei community, which forms the majority population of the state.
The Meitei community had demanded this status because they said that before the merger of Manipur in Indian territory (1949), they were given ST status, but after the merger, they lost this status. As a result, the community is marginalised on many grounds. In order to protect their land, culture and heritage, they should be given ST status.
On the other hand, the recognised tribal groups are saying that Meiteis are already in the majority. They have huge political representation in the state, and they are already given SC and OBC status. They are getting benefits related to these categories if they are given ST status, the other tribal groups will be more marginalised. They will lose their socio-economic opportunities in the state.
However, this is not the only reason for the riots.
The state government had launched an evacuation plan for tribals in hilly areas, calling them illegal settlers after the Forest Act of 1972. All these reasons are cumulatively responsible for huge riots in the state.
Regarding this matter, I spoke to many people from Manipur to know their opinions about the miserable condition of the state, and the reason for tragic rioting and violence. Many of them responded to me by telephone and discussed these issues.
Narratives by the Meitei community
Sanjeev*, who belongs to the Meitei community, informed me that it all started on May 3rd. On that day, All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM) called for Solidarity March against the High Court order regarding the Scheduled Tribe status of the Meitei community and after that March, many rumours were spread to the whole of Manipur that in retaliation of the March Meitei have burned the Kuki war memorial” due to this rumour Kuki tribe started destructing Meitei’s property in the state.
Sanjeev also shared that the war-like situation in the state is not just for the ST status of Meitei. There are other reasons also involved in it, like evacuation plans from Forest areas by Government officials of Tribals because the government believes that the tribals are encroachers of reserved Forest areas.
When asked Sanjeev that does he believe that tribals are involved in poppy plantations? Then he said, “There are poppy plantations because they gave more money to the people than other plantations. He further says that there are also rumours that 4 nurses and 1 doctor are Meiteis in the Churachandpur area. They were sexually harassed, which gave a boost to the Meitei people to take revenge on the Kuki people. He said during riots, both sides made hostages of other people. In the Imphal area few Kukis have been made hostages by Meiteis, and in Churachandpur, Meiteis are made hostages by Kukis.
Sanjeev termed this riot Meitei vs Kuki. When asked about, did Meiteis reject ST status in the past? Then he said, “In past, due to the influence of Hinduism, they were not that eager about ST status, but now they want ST status because they all have criteria to get ST status also, their identity is in constant threat and in 1951 census their population was 59 per cent, but in 2011 census their population decreased to 44 per cent.”
Shyam*, who is also from the Meitei community, had said that they are indigenous people, so they should be given the Scheduled Tribes status in order to protect their ancestral lands, culture and tradition. He said that the first violence had been started by Kukis, and in retaliation, Meiteis also started the violence. He said that Kuki are immigrants and they are backed by insurgents and are also playing the victim card of being marginalised.
When asked about the situation in Manipur from Shyam, he said we are not able to sleep for the last two nights because they were afraid that they would be attacked by insurgent groups. He said that Kukis have arms, guns and new kinds of weapons. On the other side Meiteis have traditional weapons, and in warlike situations, they are on defeating side. He still had faith in state machinery and hoped that leaders from both groups would reconcile with each other and find solutions to make the situation calm.
Narrative by Paite community
However, Chirag*, who is from the Paite tribe, said that an entire situation is a Pre-mediated act by Meiteis and it’s not just a fight between Meitei and Kuki. Its a fight between Tribals vs Non-Tribals. Meiteis are really harming the non-tribals since Meiteis are mostly Hindus the reason they are burning every church in Manipur. As a result, almost all churches has been burnt by Meiteis in Imphal.
He further said in the Churachandpur area, Meiteis had been released by Kukis, but in the Imphal area, Kukis are not released by Meiteis. Chirag said that this incidence is not just affecting the Manipur state. It’s also affecting the other state where these communities are residing. For instance, people who are living in the Safadarjung enclave, Munirka of Delhi, have become cautious. He said that the Chief Minister of Manipur belongs to the Meitei community, so he is also tilted towards the cause of Meiteis. Since Meiteis are large in numbers, they have 40 MLAs out of 60, so they have full control of media and administration.
Chirag also said that if Meiteis are given ST status in the state, it will become a huge threat in the state, and tribals will lose their socio-economic and political opportunities. When asked to Chirag in which manner will this situation be pacified? He told the state government as well as the Central government should actively interfere in the matter, and there should be separate administration for Tribal and non-tribal people.
Narrative by the Kuki community
Mohan*, who belongs to the Kuki tribe, has informed me that he is currently residing in an Army camp and for the past two days, he has been hiding in the jungle. He was worried about his house and said that might be it will be burnt or captured by the rioters.
He feared that maybe there would be ethnic cleansing in the state and their tribe would be cleaned out of the state. He was also worried about women and children residing in the camp as they are facing most difficulties. He said there is no ration left in his camp, and he survived the whole day on just a cup of tea. When asked about is this fight Meitei vs Kuki? Then he said, “It might escalate to Nagas as well. Till now, Meiteis have not touched the Nagas.”
What should government do about the Manipur violence
All the above narratives show a different picture of the state, but one thing is common they all are disturbed by the ongoing riots in the state. The state government and Central government must be actively involved in the matter and find out solutions immediately, Article 355 must be withdrawn and, shoot-on-site orders should also be withdrawn immediately, the reconciliation process between different leaders should be initiated to calm down the situation.
Humanitarian assistance like shelter, food, and clothes should be reached to the affected people on time. Meanwhile, the National and State commissions related to women SC/ST and OBC should ensure the rights of the particular communities.
In this situation, remembering Sahir Ludhiyanvi’s poetry
Jang to khud hi ek masla hai
Jang kya maslo ka hal degi
(War is never a solution to any problem, we are hoping peace in Manipur!)