Making Sense of Manipur Clashes

By now, we are all aware of the ongoing violence in Manipur. Based on information available in the public domain, I am trying to summarize the situation for the benefit of those who are still trying to make sense of these clashes.

Manipur Demography

Manipur has a varied demography. There are three major tribes in the state: Meiteis, Kukis, and Nagas. Two tribes, Kukis and Nagas, comprise approximately 40–42% of the state population (Figures based on 2011 census) The Meiteis comprise roughly 58–60% of the population.

Religion

Christianity in the state makes up roughly 41% of the state population and is the religion followed by Kukis and Nagas. Most of the Meiteis follow Vaishnavite Hinduism. These Meities comprise roughly 41% of the state population. There are subsections within the Meiteis: Pangal Meiteis, who are Muslims (8% of the state population), and those who follow Sanamahism/traditional Meitei religion (8% of the state population).

Geography

Manipur has two distinct physical regions: the hills and the narrow valleys. The Kukis and Nagas live in the hills, roughly comprising 90% of the state’s physical area. Meiteis live in the valleys, comprising 10% of the physical area. Meiteis are considered more affluent. Most of the leaders from ancient times come from the Meitei community, including the current CM of the state.

Politics

Kukis and Nagas are classified as Scheduled Tribes (ST). Prior to 1949, the Meiteis were also classified as ST. However, the government removed Meiteis from this list in 1951. It has been a long-pending demand for the Meiteis to be included in the ST list. According to the Meiteis, ST status is necessary to preserve the Meitei community and save the ancestral land, tradition, culture, and language.

However, equally important is the land. While the Kukis and Nagas, due to being classified as STs, can buy land in the valleys, the Meiteis cannot do the same in the hills as the law bars it. Meiteis argue that they are confined to the valleys that comprise only 10% of the land area. Furthermore, this ST status will also lead to integration between the valleys and the hills. Meiteis also blame their troubles on large-scale illegal immigration from Myanmar and Bangladesh and hence need the ST status as protection.

Manipur HC on the ST inclusion

Early last month, the Manipur High Court asked the state government to send a recommendation to the center to include Meiteis in the ST list within 4 weeks.

Protest March by ATSUM

To protest the HC directive, the All-Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM) organized a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ last Wednesday. According to a report by First Post, an armed mob allegedly attacked people of the Meitei community in the Torbung area of the Churachandpur district, leading to retaliatory attacks in the valley districts. This escalated, leading to widespread violence across the region.

Conclusion

There are many anti-India handles on various social media platforms that are spreading misinformation about these riots, trying to portray this as the handiwork of the ruling government. We know these people are well-funded, and their only objective is to create anarchy in the nation. As nationalists, it’s our job to defeat these forces. This is a problem for the Manipuri people to resolve, and I’m sure the state government is working on it.