Recent Context:
At least six people were killed by a new wave of violence between warring communities in Manipur’s Jiribam district, prompting the state govt to deploy military helicopters for surveillance and additional forces equipped with drone-detection systems to track down the assailants. This followed the recent drone and rocket attacks on Imphal valley.
Manipur government also banned Internet services in five districts of the Imphal Valley and imposed a curfew in two of them as students, protesting for the second successive day against the rising violence in the State,
clashed with security forces on the streets of Imphal.
Background of the Manipur Unrest:
The ethnic clashes and unrest that erupted in May 2023 in Manipur.The conflict primarily involved two major ethnic groups:
-Meitei community, which is predominantly Hindu and resides mostly in the Imphal Valley, and the Kuki-Zo tribal groups, who are largely Christian and inhabit the surrounding hill districts.
-The valley area comprises about 10% of Manipur’s landmass, is dominated by the non-tribal Meitei who account for more than 64% of the population of the State and 40 of the State’s 60 MLAs.
-The hills comprising 90% of the geographical area are inhabited by more than 35% recognised tribes but send only 20 MLAs to the Assembly.
What Triggered Violence?
1.The immediate trigger for the 2023 violence was a court ruling that suggested granting the Meitei community Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, which could entitle them to special privileges such as job reservations, land ownership in protected tribal areas, and political representation.
The tribal groups opposed this, fearing the Meiteis would encroach on their lands and resources.
2.In 2020, during Manipur’s first delimitation process since 1973, the Meitei community contested the Census figures used, claiming they inaccurately represented the population distribution.
Meanwhile, Kuki and Naga tribes argued they constituted 40% of the state’s population but were underrepresented in the Assembly.
3.Following the February 2021 coup in Myanmar, there has been a refugee influx into India’s Northeast.
Meitei leaders allege rapid village expansion in Churachandpur district, raising concerns about demographic changes.
4.Some tribal groups, allegedly with vested interests, oppose the government’s anti-drug provisions.
This opposition includes illegal cultivation on cleared lands by settlers associated with the Kuki-Zomi communities.
5.The eviction of residents from Kuki villages in the Churachandpur-Khoupum Protected Forest area sparked violent protests.
6.Kuki groups argue that the eviction violates Article 371C, asserting their status as hill area residents.
Article 371C mandates a committee in the Manipur Legislative Assembly for the hill areas, complicating state-level governance and responses to such conflicts.
Demand of ST status by Meitei:
The Meitei community in Manipur, India, has been demanding Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for several years. The Meitei, primarily a Hindu community, constitute the majority population in the Imphal Valley, while tribal communities such as the Nagas and Kukis mostly inhabit the surrounding hill areas, enjoying ST status.
Key Reasons Behind the Demand:
1.Cultural and Identity Concerns: The Meitei claim that their culture, language, and identity are under threat from increasing demographic changes, and the status would protect their traditions and way of life.
2.Economic and Educational Benefits: ST status provides access to economic benefits, education quotas, and job reservations, which the Meitei feel would help the community’s development.
3.Historical Context: Historically, the Meitei were considered a tribal community before the introduction of Hinduism. The Meitei argue that their traditional status was tribal, and they should be reclassified accordingly.
4.Land Protection: One of the key demands is land protection. In Manipur, the hill areas are protected for tribal people, while the valley, where the Meitei reside, is not protected. This has raised fears about outsiders acquiring land in the valley.-The Meiteis have a demographic and political benefits and are also more educationally advanced.
Opposition to the Demand by Meiteis:
1.Hill Tribes’ Opposition: The Naga and Kuki communities, who already have ST status, oppose the Meitei demand, fearing it will dilute their rights and lead to greater competition for resources and jobs.
2.Imbalance of Power: The Meitei, already dominant politically and economically in the state, are seen by the hill tribes as not needing the additional benefits provided by ST status. They argue that this demand is more about consolidating power than addressing real tribal grievances.
-The issue remains politically sensitive, with debates about the implications of granting ST status to the Meitei for Manipur’s already fragile social and ethnic fabric.
3. Loss of Job Opportunities:
ST status to the Meiteis would lead to loss of job opportunities and allow them to acquire land in the hills and will deprive the kukis of opportunities.
4. Economic Disparities:
Kukis and Nagas shows their resentment that tribal areas are 90% of state’s geographical area, but the bulk of its budget and development work is focused on the Meitei-dominated Imphal valley.
Kukis and Nagas shows their resentment that tribal areas are 90% of state’s geographical area, but the bulk of its budget and development work is focused on the Meitei-dominated Imphal valley.
5. Lack of Representation:
The language of the Meitei people is included in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution and many of them have access to benefits associated with reservation as well.
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