Policy proposal for ending ethnic conflicts in Manipur A balanced approach to peace, autonomy and land reforms

Dr Raj Singh *

Introduction

The deliberations by some of India’s luminary thought leaders at a recent seminar in Delhi titled “Manipur ki Baat,” which spurred COCOMI to organize a “Rebuttal” seminar in Imphal, left me cautioned that the 22-month-old Meitei-Kuki conflict is not yet fully understood for problem-solving. Some things are different from what they are. Some others are not amenable to fuller discussions at public platforms.

For a deeper understanding of the conflict, I will take a cue from the statement of GK Pillai, the former Home Secretary of India, that the ethnic conflicts in the State stem from the fact that the communities in Manipur (Naga, Kuki, and Meitei) “fear each other.” This “fear” eats into the philosophical, anthropological, sociological, political, and economic milieu of the society, inducing existential competitions and leaving no room for altruism.

The groups operate under a zero-sum mindset–any gain by one is perceived as a loss by another. Tribalistic kinship loyalty and ethnocentrism always create ingroup-outgroup situations to lock themselves in a self- reinforcing loop of mutual suspicion marring the social capital (trust and networks that bridge groups).

This provides a fertile ground for identity politics, rendering the State a battleground for tribal competition rather than a unifying force. The lack of inter-tribal cooperation prevents the formation of larger markets, economies of scale, and infra- structure development, trapping the society in a cycle of low productivity and poverty.

Tribal ethos does not stride fast enough to fetch us progress in the modern world. It needs to conform to what the modern societies thrive on-harmony.

The Complexity of Manipur’s Ethnic Conflicts

Manipur has long been a battleground of ethnic contestations, territorial claims, and insurgencies. The recent clashes between Meiteis and Kukis (2023) have reignited historical grievances, while the Naga-Meitei tensions continue to simmer beneath the surface.

The demand for Separate Administration by the Kukis, the NSCN-IM’s aspiration for Greater Nagalim, and the Meitei push for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status have collectively escalated tensions, threatening Manipur’s territorial integrity.

All these communal aspirations seriously rock the edifice of Manipur civilization, which prides in its longest history of a sovereign kingdom in India’s North East, its longest dynastic rule of a kingdom in the world, and its classical stage of cultural evolution among the Meiteis.

India’s covert strategies, which involve leveraging ethnic insurgencies for geopolitical purposes—such as countering Chinese influence and controlling the Myanmar border—add another layer of complexity. The Need for a Sustainable Peace Framework

Manipur’s ethnic tensions—primarily between Meiteis, Kukis, and Nagas—stem from historical grievances, land disputes, political marginalization, and external geopolitical factors.

Unfortunately, the communities hardly give a chance to another for resolving issues together and ultimatums are served too quickly followed by extreme demands. Central Government intervention is the closest means visible to them. This proposal is meant to help conflicting parties a chance to themselves for sorting differences and finding the common goal of coexistence.

This proposal outlines a balanced solution that

1) Enhances Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) and the Hill Areas Committee (HAC) without granting excessive self-rule.
2) Introduces controlled land access for Meiteis in the hills to correct the historical land imbalance.
3) Protects tribal land rights while ensuring Meiteis have economic opportunities beyond the valley.
4) Prevents secessionist tendencies by keeping all ethnic groups within a unified Manipur.

1. Key Issues That Need Resolution

(A) Kuki-Meitei Conflict

1) Kukis demand Sixth Schedule autonomy/Separate Territorial unit, arguing that the Manipur Government is Meitei-dominated.
2) Meiteis demand ST status, claiming they are Indigenous and need land access in the hills.
3) Allegations of illegal Kuki migration and poppy cultivation have fueled distrust.

(B) Meitei-Naga-Kuki Conflict

1) NSCN-IM seeks Greater Nagalim, which includes parts of Manipur, threatening Manipur’s territorial unity.
2) Nagas and Kukis both claim overlapping hill territories, leading to tensions.

(C) Land Disparity

1) The Imphal Valley, which forms 10% of Manipur, is shared by Meiteis, all tribals, and other Indians, collectively constituting about 60% of the State’s population under an unfavorable land : man ratio.
2) Kukis and Nagas (40% of the population) exclusively control 90% of Manipur’s land without giving any access to Meiteis, causing injustice to resource sharing among the natives.
4) The Meitei demand for ST status is a reaction to this land restriction, not necessarily for social benefits.

2. Comparative Analysis of Potential Solutions

Various perceivable solutions to the Meitei-Kuki conflict are portrayed here with expected positive or negative fallouts affecting all three communities and the State of Manipur to choose the best.

3. Proposed Policy Solution : Enhanced ADCs, Strengthened HAC, and
Controlled Meitei Land Access : (A) Enhancing the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs)

With reasonable financial autonomy, expanded legislative powers over local governance, education, land policies and tribal customary items, etc. governance, education, and land policies.

(B) Strengthening the Hill Areas Committee (HAC)

With real oversight powers over hill district governance, equally represented by Nagas and Kukis and co-opting Meitei legislators in the committee for balanced and transparent working. Manipur Government should be prevented from overriding tribal interests in key policy areas.

(C) Controlled Meitei Access to Hill Areas (Instead of ST Status)

Abolishing the Kuki Chieftainship system to usher in a modern land management system to benefit hill dwellers under a land revenue system. Giving land ownership access to the Meiteis in designated areas for settlement and economic activities without encroaching on negotiated exclusive tribal areas reserved for customary land use. One-time financial compensatory initiatives to tribals for this land settlement in the spirit of harmonious resource sharing for the original inhabitants of Manipur.

4. Implementation Road-map & Legal Changes Required
Step 1: Constitutional & Legislative Amendments

a) Amend the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Councils Act, 1971 to grant ADCs more administrative power.
b) Modify Article 371C to ensure Meitei participation in HAC without diluting tribal rights.
c) Introduce MLR and LR Act 1960 to the hills of Manipur.
d) Introduce a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Law allowing Meiteis limited business access to certain hill districts.

Step 2: Political & Administrative Implementation

a) Establish a Manipur Land & Governance Reconciliation Committee to oversee the phased implementation of this policy.
b) Create a Tribal-Meitei Joint Monitoring Body to ensure land reform is fair and transparent.
c) Make Moreh and Jiribam trading towns collectively managed by multi-ethnic management boards to reap full benefits of the Act-East-Policy of India.

Step 3: Conflict Resolution & Confidence-Building Measures

a) Organize State-backed discussions involving Meitei, Kuki, and Naga leaders.
b) Deploy neutral paramilitary forces in conflict-prone zones.
c) Initiate active cultural integration programs on all fronts.
d) Declare “Hao” and all its derivative words as pejorative ethnic slurs and ban them under a legal framework.

The above solutions, complemented by implementation of other measures like FMR removal, border fencing, and NRC already decided by the Central Government, will help restore peace and, more importantly, the much-awaited development progress in the State. The War on Drugs does not need to be reemphasized here. All citizens must collectively fight the illicit drugs before they destroy our future.

6. Conclusion : A Balanced Path Forward for Manipur

The ethnic conflicts in Manipur are deeply rooted in historical grievances, political marginalization, and geopolitical complexities. While extreme solutions—such as full Sixth Schedule status, separate Union Territories, or Statehood demands—may temporarily satisfy certain groups, they will fragment Manipur and lead to prolonged instability.

* Granting Kukis and Nagas more governance rights without excessive autonomy.
* Maintaining Manipur’s territorial unity while improving tribal representation.
* Preventing future secessionist demands by balancing ethnic interests.

A well-structured power-sharing mechanism will not only bring peace to Manipur but also strengthen India’s long-term geopolitical stability in the Northeast. If handled correctly, Manipur can emerge as a model of ethnic reconciliation, proving that coexistence and development are possible without division.