I QUOTE a section of the Article to contextualise my opinion of the matter – “However, the narrative of the crisis is only focused on the Meiteis. Why are the rest of the non-Meiteis not taking a strong stance to end this crisis? Is the war meant for a ‘Meitei-centric’ Manipur? Is the war going to give more power to the Meiteis? No, the war is to bring an end to narco-terrorism and illegal immigration. Also, the movement of the Meiteis for Scheduled Tribe recognition is considered a very selfish act by the rest of the Manipuris. But honestly, it is even more selfish to think that the Meiteis getting ST status will make them take control of every land or opportunity.”
Related | I am a Meitei Manipuri, and here are my thoughts on the present Manipur
In the context of the above quote this is to state that for the following reasons the current conflict is Meitei-centric as it is linked to Meitei fear of becoming a minority community and their desire of grabbing tribal lands in hill areas camouflaged in the demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. These strategies have positive outcomes for the Meiteis, but negative effects for the tribals. Dealing with alleged illegal immigrants and rapid population rise of tribal population especially the Kuki-Zo tribes is disguised as a fight against drugs and narco-terrorism. Desire by Meitei community to possess tribal lands in the hill areas is disguised in the demand by Meitei community to be included in the list of ST. The question as to why non-Meiteis have become spectators and are not getting involved in the current conflict is to be answered by the Meitei community as to why they got directly involved in the quarrel between the state government and the Kuki-Zo tribes. The Meitei community had no business to get into the fight as it is for the police and state machineries to tackle the problems. By doing so they exposed the close linkage between the state government and the Meitei community who dominates the state government. Hence the state government started to be dubbed lately as a Meitei government. There is a lot of truth in it as the Meitei community is now fighting the Kuki-Zo tribes for the state government. The state government on their part has relinquished their policing powers to the various CSOs who have unofficially been given police guns without any resistance from the state government, allowed to keep more than 3,000 guns till date i.e. more than nine months since 3rd of May 2023, and radical elements allowed to dictate terms to the state government and the elected representatives from the Meitei community. Given these reasons the current conflict has become an ethnic conflict between the Meiteis and Kuki-Zo tribes and the other communities have nothing to do with it although they have sometimes suffered collateral damages.
Imphal is the capital city of Manipur state and it belongs to all citizens of Manipur. No single community should stake claim on the capital city exclusively as belonging to them and prevent a large section (about 16% Kuki-Zo population) of Manipur society to stay in Imphal. Imagine such crisis taking place in Shillong, the capital city of Meghalaya which is predominantly inhabited by the Khasi tribe. If Khasis prevent Garos or Jaintias from entering Shillong what do you think they will do if their politicians, bureaucrats and civilians cannot participate in the Meghalaya government. They will be compelled to conclude that their return to Shillong is untenable and it is better for them to demand for a separate administration. Such analogy applies to Nagaland, Arunachal and Tripura if the majority community in the capital city like Angamis, Nyishi and Bengalis respectively prevent the tribes living in the periphery or other parts of the state from staying in the capital city. What if the Meghalaya state government gets into a fight with the Garos or Jaintias and the Khasis take the side of the state government and fight with the Garo or Jaintia Tribe; would such action not invite dubbing the Meghalaya government as Khasi government? This is what happened to the Manipur government as it is now dubbed as a Meitei government. Everything in Manipur has become Meitei-centric with the Arambai Tenggol taking control of the reins of the state government with Meitei MLAs and MPs in their pocket and only pursuing Meitei-centric agenda. Take for instance the six demands – all to benefit the Meitei community without any thoughts for the other communities who represent about 47% of the state’s population.
Also read | Where is Manipur headed?
The eviction from Imphal has prevented the Kuki-Zo politicians and bureaucrats from participating in the state government and this is precisely the reason why they are asking for a separate administration. There is not a single Kuki-Zo brethren in Imphal city now. Can the Kuki-Zo tribes be blamed from not wanting to be part of Manipur? They have been pushed away by the dominant community and cannot come to the capital city even after nine months. What are they suppose to do? Lie down and die?
Check this | Encompassing Manipur-centric problem solving approach, rather than Meitei-centric
They have fought back instinctively and suffered much. They have been chastised sufficiently for nine months by the dominant Meitei community, but even today the daily tirade and attrition between the Meiteis and Kuki-Zo is continuing. Electricity in Churachandpur is allegedly cut off. Petty punitive actions are being taken by both sides irritating the other party and making matters worse.
This estrangement should not be allowed to drag on indefinitely. The process to heal the wounds should be initiated with the “big Meitei brother” extending his hand of friendship to the Kuki-Zo brother in the interest of co-existence.
Must read | Notfunny Band Returns: Exclusive Interview Hints at Upcoming EP After ‘Long Days’ Release
Ngaranmi Shimray is an activist and political observer based in New Delhi. View are personal. Shimray2011@gmail.com. Feedback/comment @Aran Shimray on X
This is not a Ukhrul Times publication. UT is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse its content. Any reports or views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of Ukhrul Times.
About The Author
