Catalyst and solutions to the current ethnic clashes: A quest

Dr. P. S. Singh *

Our state has been witnessing violent clashes between two ethnic groups in the past few days, following the Manipur High Court's recent directive to the state government to submit recommendations for granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Meitei community.

The police have imposed a curfew, and shoot-at-sight orders have been issued, internet data services have been suspended. The army, CRPF, and rapid action force have been deployed to control the situation, and Article 355 has been invoked. Sadly, several casualties and deaths have been reported.

To understand the ongoing conflicts in our state, it is crucial to understand the ethnic differences that exist here. These conflicts have arisen from political, economic, and cultural grievances that have persisted for a long time.

The Meitei community, comprising more than half of the state's population and dominating the valley region that covers only about 10% of the state's land, holds a significant political presence with 40 out of 60 MLAs. Conversely, the tribes inhabiting the hilly areas, which constitute 90% of the state's geography, have limited political representation, with only 20 MLAs in the state assembly.

Many people from the hill districts feel neglected, alleging that most of the budget and developmental work focused on the valley districts. It is also necessary to consider the historical context that has led to the current ethnic tensions in the state. These tensions date back to the time of the erstwhile kingdom and have persisted between the hill and valley communities.

The situation worsened with the emergence of the Naga national movement in the 1950s, which aimed for an independent Naga nation, facing opposition from insurgent groups among the Meiteis and Kuki-Zomi. In the 1990s, Kuki-Zomi groups also militarized and demanded a separate state called "Kukiland," further intensifying the divide between the communities.

Now, coming to the demand for ST status. The issue of granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Meitei community has been a source of contention and debate among the various communities in the state. The Meiteis, who are the largest ethnic group in Manipur and reside in the valley region, have been demanding ST status for more than a decade.

They argue that as an indigenous inhabitant of the state, they are facing threats to their land, culture, and identity due to the infiltration and assimilation of outsiders. They believe that being granted ST status will provide them with the necessary constitutional safeguards to protect their ancestral land, customs, culture, and language.

However, this demand has been met with opposition from the tribal communities who fear that granting ST status to the Meiteis would diminish their political representation, reservation benefits, and land rights, given the Meiteis' dominance in social and political spheres. The tribal communities perceive the demand as a threat to their existence and a means for the Meiteis to exert control over the entire state.

The demand for ST status may have been the immediate cause of the recent violence, but there are other underlying issues that have fueled the recent conflict between the Meitei and Kuki communities. For example, tensions rose when the state government launched an anti-drug campaign targeting poppy cultivations in the hill districts, which was seen as targeting the Kukis.

There was also discontent over the government's notice claiming that more than 30 villages in the Churachandpur-Khoupum Protected Forest area were "illegal settlements" and their residents "encroachers". The Kuki groups claimed that this was a violation of Article 371C, which grants administrative autonomy to the hill areas, and accused the government of discriminating against them and favoring the Meiteis.

The Kuki community's discontentment grew stronger after the state government terminated the tripartite Suspension of Operation agreement with Kuki militants, following allegations that the militants, who were led by non-locals, were directly involved in the drug business by promoting the cultivation of poppies in areas inhabited by the Kukis.

These fear and tensions within the Kuki community was further inflamed later by the High Court's order to expedite the recommendation for granting ST status to the Meiteis. All of these issues are intertwined with other social and economic grievances, leading to a complex situation that has now erupted into violence.

It is also important to address the weaknesses of the state government that contributed to the outbreak of violence. Despite warning signs that a major incident might occur after an open gym, which was supposed to be inaugurated by the Chief Minister of the state, was burnt down, the government failed to anticipate the violence, revealing a lack of effective state intelligence.

While the government claims to be committed to resolving conflicts between communities, it has failed to effectively address the tensions between the Meitei and Kuki communities. The government's excessive focus on the "War against Drugs" has resulted in eviction drives that have affected many Kuki villages, prompting some BJP MLAs to express concerns about perceived governance bias and call for a change in the party's state leadership.

Evictions carried out under the guise of forest protection or removing "outsiders" can incite anger and frustration among those who rely on the hills for their livelihoods. Without appropriate measures for resettlement and compensation, these actions only exacerbate the sense of injustice felt by those affected. To address these issues, the state government must establish effective communication channels with people from all ethnic backgrounds.

In conclusion, the recent unrest in the state highlights the deep-seated ethnic divisions and lack of trust between various communities. Resorting to military force and imposing restrictions would only exacerbate the situation, particularly in a state where different communities have experienced historical oppression.

The state and central governments must initiate political dialogue with all parties involved, including various communities, and address their concerns in a just and transparent manner to maintain law and order in the state and prevent further loss of innocent lives. Civil societies and media have a critical role to play in promoting peace and harmony among diverse communities while countering misinformation and rumors.

People in the state must understand that violence is not a solution, and peaceful coexistence with mutual respect and tolerance for each other's culture and identity is necessary. Creating peace committees involving individuals from different communities can facilitate peaceful coexistence.

Additionally, strengthening the cybersecurity infrastructure and regulating social media platforms can curb the spread of hateful content and raise awareness about rumors and other materials that may incite communal tensions. Let us hope for a peaceful resolution to the conflict soon.