The past and the present, demand for separate administration in Manipur redundant

Ningthem Oinam *

What unfolded in Manipur during the first half of May 3 initially appeared to be a hullabaloo that quickly escalated into an inferno sweeping through the State with significant casualties from Meitei and Kuki communities.

Nevertheless, deliberate disinformation appeared to have appropriated the narrative surrounding the violence by misrepresenting the truth, drawing the country towards a web of deceit to advocate for a separate administration.

To scrutinize the legitimacy of the demand for separate administration, let us revisit the past and present.

The Past : Unpredictable Movement and Migration

The term ‘Kuki’ is an exonym commonly used to describe various tribes residing between regions of Burma, former Assam and Bengal Provinces. Though all may not have common origin, they are sometimes referred to as the Kuki-Chin-Zo Tribes.

Grierson’s Linguistic Survey of India 1904 classified Kukis into Old and New. Those encompassed under the Kuki exonym in the later stage are called New Kukis, for instance, the Thadous pushed out of the Chin-Lushai dominated region (presently, Mizoram) between 18th and 19th century subsequently joined the Kuki community (Kamkhenthang, 1988). On the other hand, Old Kukis like the Kom tribe are now assimilated as Nagas.

According to Grierson’s Linguistic Survey, Kukis are people who have historically lived in a ‘nomadic state for centuries. They are frequently in movement and attempts to settle in new areas. However, their arbitrary movement often led to intrusion of territories of other tribes.

“The Kookies have been gradually advancing for years in a northerly direction, and have hitherto established themselves on the ranges which were originally occupied by more northern tribes, or committed such fearful aggressions upon the latter, as to compel them to retire”, writes RB Pemberton in 1835 report on Eastern Frontier of British India.

Though, some Kuki tribes were endemic to Southern Hills of Manipur, Kuki-Chins from the State of Chin, Arakan and Sagaing region in Myanmar over the century have migrated gradually either due to inter-ethnic conflict or while searching for means of livelihood.

There was a large influx of migration observed even during the Burmese Expedition of Manipur (1819-1826). According to Manipur’s Administrative report of 1877-78, around 2000 Sootie Kuki migration to Manipur was documented, as they settled on lands assigned to them by the Maharajah (Mackenzie, 1884). Moreover, in recent decades, there has been migration caused by Military junta in Myanmar. Smaller and untraceable migrations also occurred between these events through the porous borders.

Consequently, Kukis have dispersed across regions of Assam, Manipur, Naga Hills, Myanmar and Chittagong Hill Tracts. Their practice of shifting cultivation also contributes to their unpredictable movements, often leading to tensions with other communities like the Karbis, Nagas, and currently, the Meiteis.

Continuation of their unpredictable movement has eventually caused a series of problem today, particularly the concern for illegal citizenship. The post-independence late comers have now availed Aadhaar and social security schemes by exploiting the complexities of unregulated Kuki customary laws protected under the State.

Kuki customary law mandates community land ownership with the Village Headman as the custodian. This gives an arbitrary power to the village headman who can easily assimilate the late comers into their villages. Since, most sympathize and share connections with the immigrants, supporting them in availing citizenship is not a far-fetched assertion.

Given this situation, establishing a separate administration becomes a redundant demand, considering historical lack of permanent settlements for centuries, ambiguity in the ‘Kuki’ exonym and the fact that many of the immigrants and illegal settlements are yet to be distinguished.

The Present: Opium, Militancy, The Narco-Terrorism Nexus

The Golden Triangle (Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand) was a major hub for opium production and distribution. However, the rise of Taliban’s opium trade, as well as concerted efforts by China, Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos Government to combat drug trafficking, led to a decline in opium production of Golden Triangle over the last decade (UNODC Myanmar Opium Survey 2022). At this juncture, Kuki Militants stationed in Manipur following the SoO grabbed the opportunity for large scale poppy cultivation.

UNODC’s 2022 survey reveals extensive poppy cultivation in Chin State of Myanmar, particularly in areas adjoining the borders of Kuki dominated Pherzawl, Churachandpur, Chandel districts. This vividly indicates a narcotics trade on an international scale.

Poppy cultivation also serves as income for the militants. The low stipends provided by the Government to the cadres often push them to engage in other means of income-poppy cultivation. Following the State Government’s crackdown on poppy cultivation, the existing dynamics was disrupted, leading dissatisfied Druglords and Militants to exploit reasons such as Meitei ST demand, evictions from Reserved Forest areas as a pretext to mobilize against the State and subsequently the Meitei community.

Around 25 Kuki Militant groups exist including KNA (Kuki National Army). Although KNA signed the SoO agreement, KNA (B), its Burma faction, is not considered a party to the agreement. Taking advantage, the Manipur faction facilitates the infiltration of Myanmar based militants into Manipur through the fenceless international border. This explains the presence of unidentified militants in Manipur with sophisticated weapons.

Even though weapons are locked in storage following the SoO agreement, smuggling guns across borders is an easy task for militants. Their locked weapons were once acquired through drug money, and they have the finance funneled through poppy to buy and smuggle new sophisticated weapons. These militant outfits have now terrorized and attacked Meitei villages in the valley.

Lt. Gen. (Retd.) LN Singh, former Military Intelligence Chief tweeted about Burmese militants crossing the border to unleash terror in Manipur. It is pertinent to note that Kuki militants initially sought a separate Kuki Nation, however, following their agreement with Union Government, focus shifted to a separate administration.

Exploiting the prevailing circumstances, the militants and sympathetic Kuki intelligentsia now advocate for separate administration. Meeting such demands poses a significant threat to the National security as granting administrative power to forces involved in narco-terrorism, will create a drug infested rogue State.

Furthermore, circumstances in the North East region demonstrates that new States or administrations bring fresh challenges. When North East India is already engulfed in economical setbacks, creating new administration would be extremely detrimental.