TODAY -

Assertive Scheduled Tribes and Militants Push Meiteis to Precarious Situation

L B Singh *



Manipur is a unique place in the world where the majority community, Meitei, which constitutes 53% of the population, lives in a small valley at the centre. Whereas the Scheduled Tribes (STs) constitute only 40.8 % of the population and live in the vast 22,327 sq. km. hill districts surrounding the valley. The area of the hill area is more than nine times the area of the valley.

The people of the hill and the valley co-existed harmoniously for thousands of years. The conversion of most of the Meiteis and the tribals to Hinduism and Christianity, respectively, and the British's 'Divide and Rule Policy' progressively divided the people between the hill and the valley. The problem was inadvertently aggravated after the merger of the kingdom with India in 1949.

Slumbering Meitei.

The Meithei (Meetei/Meitei) was classified as a 'Hill Tribe' in the census conducted by the British from 1891 to 1931. However, the Meiteis were excluded from the list of STs promulgated on 20 September 1951, but the Nagas and the Kukis were included.

The reason for the exclusion was based on the statement of a few prominent citizens of Manipur, who highlighted only the ceremonials and rituals related to Hinduism but failed to bring out the ceremonials and rituals related to the indigenous worship of Sanamahi, Leimarel Sidabi, Umang Lai (Forest Gods), etc.

Article 371C and 'The Manipur Legislative Assembly [Hill Areas Committee (HAC)] Order, 1972, limits the power of the Manipur Legislative Assembly via-a-vis the 'Hill Areas' which is about 90% of the geographical area of Manipur. In addition, Section 158 of the Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reform (ML&LR) Act 1960 restricted land transfer from STs to non-STs.

Therefore, the Meiteis have almost lost their land rights in 90% of the geographical area, and the number of landless Meiteis is increasing rapidly as the STs continue acquiring the land in the valley. The Meiteis are heading to a precarious situation as they cannot preserve their cultural identity without land.

No rule prevented Meitei from settling in the hill districts before the merger with India. However, Meitei preferred to settle in the valley though a few settled in the hill districts. The boundary was demarcated in the kingdom's name, and the British allotted additional territory on the hill in the name of the Maharaja of Manipur.

In 1905, Political agent J Shakespeare issued boundary papers for the villages in the hill districts in the name of Maharaja of Manipur. The standard procedure of setting up villages in the hill districts with the permission of the Maharaja or the Political Agent also confirmed that the land belonged to the kingdom/State.

After the exposure to the British administration, western education, and the Second World War, the STs became more conscious of their land rights. In addition, sections of Nagas have come under the influence of their militant outfits and want to establish 'Greater Nagaland' or 'Nagalim.'

The policy of appeasement adopted by the Government of India (GoI) in dealing with the separatist Naga Movement encouraged the emergence of many more insurgent groups in the region. The Naga Movement inspired the Kukis militants to launch an armed struggle to establish a sovereign country, 'Zougam' or 'Zalen'gam' or 'Kukiland' by uniting the Kuki-Chin tribes of Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Myanmar, and Bangladesh.

The land claimed by the Nagas and the Kukis have overlapping areas, and they clashed in the 90s for the ownership of the overlapping area in Manipur. On the other hand, both the Nagas and Kukis do not want to share an inch of land in the hill districts with the Meitei.

Some Meitei politicians say that Manipur being a small valley in the Himalayan Mountain Range like Himachal Pradesh, the GoI should declare Manipur a 'Hill State,' and all the indigenous people could settle anywhere in the State. However, no proper case has been taken up by the State Government to amend Article 371C or the Presidential Order 1972 or to declare Manipur as a 'Hill State.'

Land Reforms, Distribution and Updating Land Records.

The Northeastern Region Vision 2020 highlighted the need for land reforms, distribution, updating land records and computerisation. However, under the influence of their militant outfits, the Nagas and Kukis have been resisting every effort of the State Government to survey the land in the hill districts. The Naga and the Kuki militant outfits want to keep the land intact for the 'Nagalim' and 'Zalen'gam' or 'Zougam.'

False sense of Grievance.

Almost all African countries suffered from the separation of their ethnic tribes by the artificial boundaries drawn by the Colonial Empires in Europe. Many tribes in African countries peacefully managed the separation of their brethren's ethnic groups by artificial boundaries. The people of Africa have the wisdom to understand that any attempt to unite their ethnic brothers in various countries by forcible means would result in a never-ending war.

The British had grouped the tribes in the region under the term Nagas, Kukis etc., for easy identification and administrative convenience. However, these tribes, in different states and countries, wanted to live under one administrative unit by forcible means. The people in the region suffered for many decades due to the Naga Movement, and now the Kuki-Chin tribes started the armed struggle to unite their tribes in Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.

It is a never-ending war; the Zeliangrong Naga tribe also started the armed struggle to unite their tribe in Manipur, Nagaland, and Assam. If the GoI recognised the separation of a particular community by the boundary of states or countries as a genuine grievance, many similar cases would also surface in other states.

In the last 65 years, the Nagas blockaded national highways carrying essential supplies to Manipur whenever they wanted. Now the Kukis carried out similar blockades and extortion on the highway. The Meiteis in the valley are helpless, and they struggle for survival.

False History

Very few people in the GoI are aware of the false and fabricated history created by some tribes in the region. The former Governor of Nagaland, RN Ravi, stated in July 2020 that "The Northeast today is portrayed as if they are distinct land and distinct people.

The people of the hills and the plains were so well organically connected, and they have sociological, economic, and matrimonial relations. First and foremost is the detoxification of the false history which has taken root in the region. It has replaced the genuine, true history."

Meitei Kuki Clash 2023.

The proponents of Nagalim and Kukiland or Zalen'gam have been spreading hatred and discontentment for over 60 and 30 years, respectively. They have been working relentlessly to divide the people of the hill and the valley. In the last few years, the Kuki-Chin tribes have intensified their campaign of hatred, and some Meitei organisations reacted and started spreading hatred against them.

The Naga and the Kukis are apprehensive that if Meiteis are included in the list of STs, Meiteis would have the land rights in the hill districts, and their prospect for government jobs would be affected. The All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM) organised the Tribal Solidary Rally on 03 May 23 to protest against the directive of the Manipur High Court to forward recommendations for including Meitei in the list of STs.

The Kuki militants displayed sophisticated weapons during the rally at Churachandpur. The rally ended peacefully in the Naga-dominated areas. However, after the rally, the Meitei community was brutally attacked by the Kuki-Chn tribes, and their properties were burned down in Churachandpur, Torbung, Moreh and Kangpokpi.

The Meitei community was shocked when they learnt that many of their kin were killed, their houses and properties were burned down, and the Kuki- Chin Tribes drove them out from their villages on the evening of 03 May 23. Meitei fell into the trap of provocation by the Kuki militants and retaliated by burning and destroying the properties of innocent Kuki in the valley.

Many Kukis, with prior information about the attack, had already left the valley before 03 May 23. The remaining innocent Kukis took shelter in the Army or CRPF camps and were transported to Kuki-dominated areas. The Kuki militants achieved their long-cherished dream of physically dividing the two ethnic groups.

Many factors indicated that the violence on the evening of 03 May 23 was preplanned to expedite the creation of a separate administrative unit for the Kuki-dominated area. It would not be difficult for the Judicial Inquiry Commission constituted by the GoI to find the conspirators of the crisis in Manipur, which has shamed the nation.

The policy of Appeasement did not Solve Problems in the Region.

We have learned that the policy of appeasement did not solve the problem of the people who lived under the shadow of the gun of militant outfits aspiring for a sovereign country. The GoI fulfilled the demand of the first Naga People's Convention (NPC), and an 'Administrative Unit' known as the 'Naga Hill Tuensang Area' came into existence on 01 December 1957 in the Naga Hill District of Assam.

However, it was used as a stepping stone for more ambitious demands. The people were not even satisfied with granting Nagaland a full-fledged statehood with a special provision in the Constitution in 1963. The shadow of the gun silences the voice of the majority, and one can hear only the voice of the militant outfits parroted by the disillusioned people and the local politicians. The GoI is still trying to find a solution to the Naga Movement and hopes we avoid repeating the same mistake.

Recommendation.

o The GoI should holistically examine every factor of the complex problem, including the factors enumerated above, for a lasting solution.

o The complex land problem needs to be resolved for a long-term solution. An independent "Land Commission" headed by a retired Supreme Court Judge with experts in various fields may be constituted by the GoI to determine 100% land requirements of the STs, including land for future infrastructure and the land available for development by all the indigenous people of Manipur in the hill districts without affecting the long-term interest of the STs.

o The GoI should assist the State Government in implementing land reforms, distribution and updating land records as envisaged in the Northeastern Region Vision 2020.

o The State Government should take up the necessary case to amend Article 371C, the Presidential Order 1972 and ML&LR Act 1960.

o No appeasement or a separate administrative unit, as the Kuki militants would use the same as a stepping stone for pursuing a separate country.

o Both communities, Meitei and Kuki, should exercise restraint and initiate Confident Building Measures (CBM).


*** The article appeared in the Outlook India web-only column on 20 August 23 with the title 'Manipur: Why did the harmony between Meiteis and hill tribes end?
The article was also published in 'The Sangai Express' on 22 August 23.



* L B Singh wrote this article for e-pao.net
The writer is a Captain Indian Navy (Retired)
This article was webcasted on 23 August 2023.



* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • 11th Th Kishan Memorial Lecture : Gallery
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2025 : Timeline
  • Shinthoibi, Jangvei, Tamphaton : eMing
  • Manipur crisis & the Left media's blind spot
  • COVID-19: Update 01 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Bombom RK : Musclemania Universe NYC
  • The Grief :: Poem
  • Music Concert & Quiz (MCQ) 2.0
  • SoO agreement unlikely to be scrapped
  • Regulating use of plastic carry bags
  • Mera Houchongba @Kangla #4 : Gallery
  • International Day of Yoga @JNMDA : Gallery
  • BD Behring: The inimitable Gentleman I knew
  • Violence in the name of patriotism : Misguided
  • Daily oral vs long-acting injectable for HIV
  • COVID-19: Update 30 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Smile :: Poem
  • Why was President's Rule imposed ?
  • BJP under pressure to forge unity
  • Kang @Leikai in Imphal : Gallery
  • July Calendar for Year 2025 : Tools
  • COVID-19 : A recurring crisis in Manipur
  • DC Kaith and Forestry in Manipur : Book
  • COVID-19: Update 29 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Longing for Peace :: Poem
  • Black badge, slogan protest by peeved scribes
  • Present the true picture before Delhi
  • Pung-Cholom @ Polo Tournament : Gallery
  • Life: A Journey Through Thought & Being
  • Khongjai Hills & Kuki claim to indigeneity
  • Master Time by Managing Information
  • COVID-19: Update 28 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Pride & patriotism in CCpur's army families
  • The Power of Poppy - 87 :: Poem
  • World Decarbonisation Day: green environment
  • Welcome Home - Nganthoi #2 : Gallery
  • Loss of two precious lives from Manipur
  • Balancing civil liberties with public safety
  • COVID-19: Update 27 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Gender equality & human rights are indivisible
  • Stay hydrated this summer season
  • Silent Half of the Sun :: Poem
  • Connecting the dots in the wishlist
  • Assembly record tampering claims by ex-CM
  • The immortal legacy of Pukhramba Kajao
  • International Day against Drug Abuse 2025
  • COVID-19: Update 26 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Black pottery from Ukhrul - tribal heritage
  • Program on "Mission-Drug Free Campus"
  • Play makes a better world
  • Urgent Appeal to the Honourable MLAs
  • Tribal Empowerment Campaign at CCpur
  • Talk doing the round: PM to come
  • 'Emergency' relief for under-fire BJP
  • Golden Jubilee Art Fair @Imphal : Gallery
  • Declaration: Meetei People Convention, Delhi
  • A Flower Among the Rocks :: Review
  • Book Donation Campaign
  • Improved road connectivity boosts livelihoods
  • To Have Great Dreams :: Poem
  • COVID-19: Update 25 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Regret vs Sorry: Technical & moral insight
  • Cocktail of inept Govt, selfish people
  • State trailing others in cleanliness
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #6
  • UHI effect & rising temperatures in Manipur
  • Frequent road blockades cripple economy
  • COVID-19: Update 24 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Unite Health with Community health services
  • NSU, Imphal, tops IIRF Ranking 2025
  • Endless conflict :: Poem
  • Pak nobel pish prize for Trump
  • May 3, 2023 - June 24, 2025: Failure of Delhi
  • Hotter days, sudden rainfall no more a rarity
  • "The Great June Uprising" #2 : Gallery
  • How to Build a Career, Lead with Purpose
  • 2nd Foundation Day- Karnataka Meitei Assn
  • COVID-19: Update 23 June 2025 : Manipur
  • NSCN-IM Amnesty threatens to isolate it
  • Sunset :: Poem
  • Intl Yoga Day for a healthier environment
  • Of clogged drains and plastics
  • Poor roads testify Govt indifference
  • Welcome Home - Nganthoi #1 : Gallery
  • The Silent Erosion of Manipuri Language
  • Design health services around people
  • Serene Hills Host Inspiring Int'l Yoga Day
  • COVID-19: Update 22 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Chopper services between Senapati & Imphal
  • High Court Judges interacted with convicts
  • Redyeing the Fabric :: Poem
  • Differences yet to be resolved stand
  • Border fencing rage as solution eludes
  • Radio E-pao: 14 new songs updated
  • Climate Adaptive Agroforestry
  • Manipur overlooked demographic shifts
  • Young designers shine on Fashion Stage
  • COVID-19: Update 21 June 2025 : Manipur
  • International Day of Yoga at Lamphelpat
  • International Day of Yoga at JNMDA
  • The Power of Poppy - 86 :: Poem
  • Keishampat Lairembi Haraoba #1 : Gallery
  • Crisis in Manipur's Contemporary Education
  • Best 8 Performances in Manipuri Cinema
  • Identity: Caught between China & India ?
  • COVID-19: Update 20 June 2025 : Manipur
  • To The Father Who Listens :: Poem
  • How does net suspension affect youths ?
  • Targeting farmers to cripple state's economy
  • The virus is back and spreading
  • Who is afraid of Manipur ?
  • A threatened lily growing at Shirui Hills
  • World Environment Day in Manipur : Gallery
  • Ambubachi Mela at Maa Kamakhya
  • COVID-19: Update 19 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Dolls made from repurposed vegetable refuse
  • Condemns Attack on Farmer & Killing
  • Abhorrent politics of SoO
  • Police arrogance on harmless drivers
  • "The Great June Uprising" #1 : Gallery
  • Solution from Buddhist & Jain perspectives
  • AI sparks employment concerns in Manipur
  • Greatest Foe :: Poem
  • Chief Justice at Relief Camp, Kangpokpi
  • Call for Recognition of a 3rd Category of IDPs
  • Jun 18, 2001- May 3, 2023: Seed of violence
  • Contract scam in hill districts
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #5
  • Spaced Out - Panthung Di Kadaaida! : Rvw
  • Condemns the Killing of Abdul Qadir
  • COVID-19: Update 17 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Thoubal aspirant makes Manipur proud
  • Tamenglong hospital brings quality healthcare
  • Chief Justice at Relief Camp, Mayang Imphal
  • Kuki CM & Sixth Schedule
  • Selective protests, selective silence
  • Nailing the culprits need of the hour
  • UK Meetei diaspora run for Myanmar : Gallery
  • Erwin Khundrakpam : NEET-UG 2025 topper
  • Will we rise to #endAIDS challenge or stumble
  • COVID-19: Update 16 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Appeal to Prime Minister: Manipur Crisis
  • Urges Action on Misinformation
  • Condolences : 2 young cabin crew
  • Grateful To Be Alive :: Poem
  • Making bonfire on the roads
  • Aggression yet again, inspite of playing victim
  • Aftermath of flooding @ Khurai #2 : Gallery
  • Zomia, geopolitics, & the struggle for unity
  • COVID-19: Update 15 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Condolences : Demise of 2 Manipuri Girls
  • Manipur unites in grief after Air India tragedy
  • Hail arms recovery as step toward peace
  • Cleanliness Drive at JNIMS Campus
  • Global Wind Day for a clean environment
  • First came the rain, then the heat
  • Rise in Covid-19 cases
  • Thang-Ta Day @Khuman Lampak #3 : Gallery
  • Meetei diaspora in UK runs for Myanmar victim
  • Manipur empower children with disabilities
  • COVID-19: Update 14 June 2025 : Manipur
  • World Blood Donor Day 2025
  • The Power of Poppy - 85 :: Poem
  • A Northeast Gin Makes Its Mark
  • Mera Houchongba @Kangla #3 : Gallery
  • Saluting Nganthoi, Lamnunthem : Joining hand
  • Condolence : Nganthoi & Lamnunthem
  • From Earth Day to World Environment Day
  • COVID-19: Update 13 June 2025 : Manipur
  • JJM brings clean drinking water to CCpur
  • M.Tech CSE Admission at Assam University
  • Save your nails from damage this summer
  • No takers for Moreh cops' distress call
  • 50 years of Pebet #2 : Gallery
  • Implement Hill Areas (Chief Rights) Act 1967
  • Manipur fields shape India sport future
  • How to Speak Soft and Still Win
  • Thokchom Khoiba : mosquito killer machine
  • Looking for wealthy groom, question you too
  • When is the net ban going to be lifted
  • Stir speculations nix school reopening plan
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #4
  • Namphake Monastery @ Dibrugarh : Gallery
  • Fire safety: preventive measures
  • Peculiar plants & incidents unique to Manipur
  • Artificial Intelligence & environment
  • Cutting off the nose to spite the face
  • Relief for daily wagers as shutdown called off
  • Protest @Checkon -AT arrest [Jun 9] : Gallery
  • The question of territorial integrity of Manipur
  • Animal Farm's allegory in dynamics of Manipur
  • Their hands deserve books, not burdens
  • JNV empowers Tamenglong students
  • We can do better- people with HIV live healthy
  • Bandh: The Cry Beneath the Silence :: Poem
  • Cutting short 240 hours general strike
  • Shutdown lifted, curfew eased, mobile ban
  • Protests - AT arrest [Jun 8 night] : Gallery
  • Review of 'Rain Stopping in Manipur'
  • Highway blockades trigger soaring prices
  • Voice of the Masses :: Poem
  • Congress may claim if none
  • Learning new skills related to AI
  • Delhi, Raj Bhavan: Losing the plot ?
  • CBI arrest after Governor clemency assurance
  • Aftermath of flooding @ Khurai #1 : Gallery
  • Appeals Home Minister not to renew SoO
  • Self-defence :: Poem
  • When will humans learn nature's lessons ?
  • Forgotten voices of drug users in Manipur
  • High-yielding RC Manichakhao-1
  • PC Editorial Blank Space : June 09 2025
  • TSE Editorial Blank Space : June 09 2025
  • Flooding at JNIMS Hospital #2 : Gallery
  • North East NSS Festival @ MU : Gallery
  • 27th Meira Paibi Numit : Gallery
  • Micromanager vs Leader
  • Valedictory Function of NE NSS Festival
  • WED at various campuses in Manipur
  • World Environment Day 2025
  • Trump's tariff legacy & its global echo
  • Flooding at JNIMS Hospital #1 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #3 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #2 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #1 : Gallery
  • Sarangthem Nirupama at Miss Universe India
  • S Nirupama @Miss Universe : Gallery
  • Protesters to Raj Bhavan [May 25]: Gallery
  • Human Chain @Airport road [May 26]: Gallery
  • Miss Shirui Pageant Contestant: Gallery
  • 48 hrs Bandh: protest security forces: Gallery
  • Protest Rally: Journalist harassment: Gallery
  • HSLC 2025: Full Result (Check Roll No)
  • HSLC 2025: Important Info & Grading System
  • HSLC 2025 : Compartmental candidates
  • HSLC 2025 : Comparative Statement
  • HSLC 2025 : Statistical Abstract
  • HSLC 2025 : District Pass Percentage
  • HSLC 2025 : Govt School Pass %
  • HSLC 2025 : Aided School Pass %
  • HSLC 2025 : Private School Pass %
  • People's Convention on 3rd May #2 : Gallery
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2025 #2: Gallery
  • Riya Khwairakpam : HSE Science Topper
  • Keisham Hannah : HSE Arts Topper
  • Warepam Lidia : HSE Commerce Topper
  • HSE 2025 Result : Science Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Result : Arts Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Result : Commerce Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Information / Abbreviation
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Science
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Arts
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Commerce
  • HSE 2025 : Pass Percentage
  • HSE 2025 : Result Abstract
  • HSE 2025 : Candidates with Highest Marks
  • Ougri Lirol :: Part 1 : Ooba Video
  • President's Rule in Manipur : 1967 - 2025
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar :: 2025