Encompassing Manipur-centric problem solving approach, rather than Meitei-centric

Dr. RK Nimai, IAS (Retd) has written an interesting piece on the theme of “Manipur Crisis: Why the ST status is the way forward for the Meiteis”. It was published by Zeenews.india.com on 5th December 2023 and pinned by STDCM on X, on 6th December 2023. He has mentioned problems faced mainly by the Meitei community and that they perceive they possess all the criteria laid down by the Lokur Committee. Besides this he has stated some historical/mythical facts that the present “Manipur” is not the land mentioned in the Mahabharata as it is not situated by the sea shore and that the name “Manipur” was acquired only in the 17th century. He has stated that the Meiteis feel boxed in the tiny valley from all sides as they cannot possess lands in the hill areas. He also stated that the fear of the present ST of being crowded out by Meitei in reservation for posts/seats if they become ST can be protected by adopting a sub-quota formula. He further stated that the Meiteis are largely valley dwelling people and will only occupy small plots of hill land and that the Valley Forest Reserved, declared by the State Darbar in 1932 should be freely allowed to be used by the Meitei community. He concluded by stating that Meitei ST demand movement is non-violent now but fear that it could turn violent if the state government does not examine their demand and recommend the same to the government of India. 

Also read | Meiteis’ exclusion from the ST list is by their own choice; Kalelkar Commission Report of 1956

I have written extensively on this matter covering all aspects mainly to educate readers and I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate them for the benefit of interested persons/groups as under:- 

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India wrote a letter dated 29.5.2013 to the Government of Manipur responding to a representation of Meitei community for inclusion in the list of ST wherein it requested for specific recommendation along with the latest socio-economic survey and ethnographic report. The Government of Manipur failed to carry out the new survey and study and submit specific recommendation on the lines as advised by Government of India to date. The letter dated 29.5.2013 is the most important document as it stated clearly to send specific recommendation along with the latest socio-economic survey and ethnographic report. These two ground works have to be carried out by the state government. The former will show if the Meiteis are backward and the latter will show if the Meiteis were a tribe once and are still a tribe today at present time and analysing both together will provide justification if the Meitei community of today can indeed be classified as ST under the Constitution. The Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee of Manipur must pressurise the government to carry out transparent and credible socio-economic survey and ethnographic study. The sooner the socio-economic survey and the ethnographic study are carried out, the uncertainty prevailing in the state about its future will be answered. These two initiatives will provide data and information to answer relevant questions to address the ST demand through a scientific approach.

Editorial | Manipur state does not begin and end in Imphal

The Lokur Committee criteria includes – indications of primitive traits, distinctive culture, geographical isolation, shyness of contact with the community at large, and backwardness. A cursory glance at the criteria will show that, except for one criterion of a distinctive culture, the Meitei community may not fulfil the other four criteria. The Meiteis may have been a tribe at one point in time (to be established by a recent ethnographic study) but a cursory look at the progress in education and other fields made by the Meitei community to date, it  would appear that they are an advanced and progressive community now. 

The educational attainments and achievements of the Meitei community is there for all to see. They are now able to secure jobs through competitive examinations in the IAS, IPS and other all India services under the general category and OBC quota. While the STs of Manipur have failed to secure the coveted posts in past recent years. The Meiteis have a large number of professionals like super specialists doctors, general doctors, engineers, academicians, lawyers, MNC managers, military officers etc. exceeding all other communities put together in Manipur. They are prosperous and wealthy and wield political and administrative power. Their population constitute more than 50% of the state’s total population and they are present in all organs of the government, and the government is under their control. They definitely do not need ST reservation for government jobs, including all India jobs, and seats in educational institutes as they seem to be doing quite well under the SC and OBC reservation quotas. It should not be forgotten that some Meiteis are SC and a huge majority of Meiteis fall under the OBC category. This raises the question why they want to be ST also, but this is a different debate not to be discussed now. As indicated by many Meitei writers and elected representative leaders, the primary motive is to acquire the lands in the “hill areas” which they covet. 

Also read | Ngaranmi Shimray’s reasons for exclusion of Meitei in the ST list are misleading and incorrect

While the Meitei community may have their dream and aim to be ST, the tribals of Manipur too have stories to share of their pain, deprivation and betrayal of being treated as second class citizens since independence, besides sense of frustrations and neglect, and some of them are stated below:- 

Article 371-C provides for a “Special provision with respect to the State of Manipur” under which a Hill Areas Committee (HAC) was constituted (to be read with Presidential Order dated 20th June 1972) for the tribals living in the “hill areas” of Manipur. This committee comprising of elected representatives from the “hill areas” to the state Assembly has not been allowed to function to its full potential. The Speaker of Assembly, Chief Minister and Governor have different roles to play and to facilitate its proper and smooth functioning, but it has not happened so far. Instead, obstructions and hurdles are created frustrating the efforts thereby conveying a message to the hill people that they are under the mercy of the State government controlled by the Meitei community. 

Also read | STDCM launches official website to strengthen demand for ST status of Meitei/Meetei community

While the Panchayati Raj system of local self government prevailing in valley enjoys extensive empowerment devolved from the constitutional provisions (Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act was passed in 1992), its counterpart in the “hill areas” called the Autonomous District Councils (ADC) have limited powers and function given under the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Councils Act, 1971 whose powers and functions haven’t been enhanced or improved upon and are faced with difficulties and problems with an uncooperative state government. The ADCs have no constitutional protection and guarantees and the Act is basically a state legislation totally under the whim and fancy of the state government. The demand of the tribals for inclusion of the “hill areas” in the Sixth Schedule under Article 244 has been dealt by the Manipur government with deceit and contempt making the tribals to realise that they may not get anything under a government dominated by the Meiteis. 

Also read | Nagas’ sovereignty will manifest through ‘Pan Naga Hoho’: General Anthony at Chandel Consultative meet on Indo Naga Political Talks

While the Panchayati Raj gram sabha functionaries in the valley are paid for performing their duties, their counterpart in the “hill areas” being the village authority functionaries under the Manipur (Village Authorities in Hill Areas) Act, 1956 do not receive any remuneration from the state government inspite of a favourable order obtained from the Manipur High Court to pay them salary. This is perceived as an injustice meted out to the tribals. 

Concentration of all state level and central government institutes and institutions besides major infrastructure assets, like stadiums etc. in the Imphal valley, has created additional pressure on land in the valley. All assets and major infrastructure cannot be concentrated in the valley. The government has to commit firmly to decentralisation to locate new assets in the district headquarters in the “hill areas” as one of the actions for “way forward” in respect to resolving the crisis in Manipur state. 

Also read | The ST demand movement for Meitei community should justify their demand based on a new ethnographic study and ST status on a new socio-economic survey

The problems faced by the tribal people in their hill areas are many and each of them need to be looked into as one of the actions for “way forward” in respect of resolving the crisis in Manipur state:- 

1. Address the issue of giving Article 244-A to the “Hill Areas” of Manipur (Bodoland type of territorial council) by supporting and recommending for including “hill areas of Manipur” under the Sixth Schedule.
2. Facilitate the proper functioning of the Hill Areas Committee (HAC) in the State Assembly and government under the provisions of Article 371-C and Presidential Order dated 20th June, 1972.
3. Address the issue for decentralisation and location of central and state Government institutes and institutions besides major infrastructures at the district headquarters in hill areas.
4. Fill up all reserved posts including vacancies to the ST posts properly and allow and aid the HAC to oversee and monitor its implementation through its secretariat in the department of Tribal Affairs & Hills (D/o TA&H).
5. Allow absolute transparency in the allocation of budget and development planning of finance department and planning department respectively by the HAC through its secretariat in the D/o TA&H. 
6. Allow the formulation of a separate land law and rules for the hill areas of Manipur. This can be drafted by the HAC and the laws implemented by the D/o TA&H. This may be the area where the issue of possession of land in the “hill areas” for the Meiteis may come into consideration for discussion.
7. Allow the tribal people to pursue and fully develop their vernacular languages/dialects with adequate financial support from the state government and not to impose Manipuri or Meitei mayek script on tribal people.
8. Facilitate payment of remuneration to the village authority functionaries in the hill areas like its counterpart in the gram sabha in the valley.
9. Allocate ministerial posts in the state cabinet in an equitable manner between the valley and “hill areas” in the ratio of 60:40 proportionate to the population of each group which is roughly 59:41 between Meitei community plus and tribals. This should work out to 7:5 for valley and hills.
10. Initiate a dialogue with the tribal leaders to enable sharing the problems and challenges faced by both groups so that the issues being prioritised by different groups in the current “Manipur Crisis” could be  expressed fully, discussed and understood in its proper perspective to find a middle ground for amicable resolution of the issues. 

Also Read | Manipur: Thousands of Catholic faiths attend episcopal ordination of Rev Fr Linus Neli in Senapati district

There are no two approaches to the ST status demand by the Meitei community, but to deal with it in a scientific manner. It cannot be carried out by brute force (violence/threats), majoritarian (missed calls/dharnas/road blocks), by “hook or by crook” (subterfuge, deceit and manipulation) etc as such tactics is likely to push the people from the “hill areas” to demand for a separate State or UT since this option may be perceived by them as the “only way forward” to insulate themselves (tribals” and “hill areas”) from Meitei hegemonic tendencies as long as they remain part of Manipur state.

Edited & Conceptualised
Ngaranmi Shimray is an activist and political observer based in New Delhi. View are personal. Shimray2011@gmail.com. Feedback/comment @Aran Shimray on X.

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