Manipur violence is hitting the national headlines for a week now. The
violence is the culmination of several past events which were simmering for a
decade now. Manipur is a place to many ethnic groups in which Meities group
constitute about more than 50% of the population and live in valley region,
which forms 10% of total Manipur area, and rest include Naga and Kuki who reside
in hill areas. From shoot-at-sight order by state government to pervasive
clampdown in the state, the violence has taken at least 60 lives and left
hundreds of people wounded leading to state emergency under article 355 of the
constitution by the Centre to protect state from internal and external
insurgency and disturbance. Now, the state has been heavily deployed with
Indian army. Thousands of people have been displaced by the fierce clash in the
state and they are taking shelter in government relief camp. Majorly, all these
tensions are due to lack of trust of the ethnic communities towards one
another.
Background:
Recent fierce clash broke out on 3rd May in a march by Naga
and Kuki communities against the Manipur HC’s order a month ago directing the
state government to send the recommendation to the central government for
according the status of ‘Schedule Tribe’ to the Meteis community, who
constitute more than 50% of the state population and are also dominating the
political positions in the state. However, there are several past reasons as
well which intensified the skirmishes in the state between the ethnic groups.
The Manipur state is being led by the BJP govt and its CM in the February
has taken a decision to protect the forest while reserving the forest. For
which eviction drive was carried in the hills area which is dominated by the
Naga and Kuki ethnic group. It is alleged that in this eviction drive many
houses have been bulldozed as well as 1 or 2 churches have been demolished
citing illegal encroachment on the government lands. Furthermore, Naga and Kuki
groups have protested peacefully against the government’s move as well as for
not rehabilitating the displaced people.
Many a times Naga and Kuki groups have been being termed as refugee,
which fuelled anger among these group against Meteis group. These entire
anti-tribe moves have triggered the current violence in the Manipur.
Concerns of
the ethnic groups:
Meteis group feels marginalized and has been demanding for ST status
since 2012 because of decrease of its population to 44% as per the 2011 census
from 59% in 1951. It says that they have been recognized STs before merging
with India in 1949. It demands STs Status for representational opportunities in
government employment, health and educational sectors and also to preserve
their culture, language and identity. They also feel that they have been
marginalized in ancestral land. They believe that they can preserve their
culture, language, identity and tradition if they are accorded constitutional
safeguard by way of acquiring ST status.
While on the other hand, the Naga and Kuki community opposes this demand
and they feel that if Meteis is conferred with ST status, then they would be
further marginalized. Also, because Meteis groups are already dominant in the
state with greater number representation in assembly and other social and
educational institutions, it would be become unfair for the other ethnic
groups. Moreover, their language is already included in the 8th
schedule of the constitution and some Meteis communities are already benefiting
from being classified as OBCs and SCs. So, by conferring this extra status
would lead to further domination of this group at the expense of further
marginalization of other already less dominant tribes. Further, granting
schedule tribe status to the Meteis would lead to less job opportunities and
other affirmative action given by government for the other ethnic group.
There is a deep chasm between these ethnic groups which has been the main
reason behind all the ethnic violence in the state of Manipur.
Current
Situation:
After the sudden breakdown of law and order in the state and resultant
violence, several people have fled to neighboring state to save their lives.
Indian military has been deployed on mass level to arrest the ethnic unrest in
the state. Several houses have been set on fire leading to lot of casualties to
the people. Assam rifle and army are taking rescue operations. A huge loss has
been caused to the economic activity in the state. Malls and several other
buildings have been set on fire. There is widespread concern for the lives of
the people. Several states have arranged special flights for their residents.
Situations still seem to be tensed and a state of uncertainty is still prevailing
in the state.
Possible
way forward:
Equal representation of the entire
ethnic group in state is required in political and social institutions.
Concerns of residents of hill areas should be prioritized and huge
infrastructure investment should be made in the hill regions. Culture of the
tribe should be protected and reselected for fostering inclusivity. A special
forum should be established to carry out inter-community dialogue for building
understanding and trust. Educational and employment opportunities should be
created for tribal youth. Social and political institutions in hill areas need
to be strengthened to empower the tribal community to participate in
decision-making process. Their voices must be mooted and heard with outmost
sincerity by the government officials. Equal resources and power should be
devolved in hill areas to promote grassroots democracy. The state should strive
for creating economical interdependency among the different tribes to promote
harmony among the people and also to avoid such future violence in the state.
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