Meiteis, a disappearing community in Manipur -
with 91% of the land for other tribals, and now only 9% for the Meitei tribe, and still shrinking

Dr Mohendra Singh Irengbam *

Kangleipak Flag displayed during Yaoshang Mei Loukhatpa on 02nd March 2018 :: Pix - Shankar Khangembam

I authored many articles in the past, stating all kinds of cogent reasons as to why Meiteis should have ST status, in support of the ‘Meetei/Meitei ST Demand Committee’. The foremost reason being that the indigenous Meiteis are becoming an ‘endangered species.’

The rationale that Meiteis, the first people in Manipur, will certainly come to the point of extinction, is not hard to envisage. There are examples galore, such as the Indigenous Puri tribe of Brazil, who began disappearing as the Portuguese settlers continued to illegally encroach on their land and destroy their environs. In the last three decades, they have been at the point of extinction.

Beginning in the 15th century they had been decimated by the outsider Portuguese. By the end of the 19th century the distinct Purí language and identity had been lost and the Purí people were considered "extinct." Much of this tribe are believed to have been killed by ranchers wanting to expand their land.

Isn’t this a ridiculously dreadful situation in this early 21st century – unspeakably terrifying? Let us observe a moment of silence in contemplation for our would-be fallen offshoots.

It has not escaped my attention that ‘The World Meitei Council’, which is becoming a voice for the 2 million Meiteis worldwide, is supporting the ongoing ST status demand to halt the probable extinction of the autochthonous (Meihourol in Manipuri) tribe of Meiteis of all seven salais which the above flag represents.

I write now to deliver a sad message to the present generations of fellow Meiteis, to put them in the best light. Indeed, this exposé is an act of resistance against the algorithms of Kuki menace that began on 3rd May 2023.

Distinctive points of view might seem a niche, but the best would be a welcome antidote to the algorithms of the flourishing Kuki resurgence with their grandiose thoughts drifting towards driving away Meiteis as far away from the foothills as they can. They are making the powerful longitudinal waves which they so desperately crave.

I am resistant to the unfair outcome of a particular kind of algorithmic and automaton harm which the Kukis have created and which I identify as a “Disaster” for Meitei survival. I am a believer in Social Darwinism, which postulates the biological concept of natural selection and survival of the fittest in plants and animals, which also holds true among humans.

That is, successful humans would have the capacity to suppress or remove the remaining individuals on the fringe of survival, in the way some plant species which can photosynthesise have an increased likelihood of survival as a species.

My scientific thinking, in joining the protest of the World Meitei Council, relates to the probable extinction of Meiteis because of the timorousness of the incumbent Government of Manipur who have failed to simply forward this Meitei democratic submission to the Union Government in Delhi for consideration, whether they qualify for being listed in the Schedule Tribe category of the Constitution of India or not.

The polity will not cost an arm and a leg to the ruling legislators in Imphal. On the other hand, it is a gargantuan potential battle for the survival of all Meiteis. It is a small step for them but a giant leap for Meiteis. ‘Theirs is not to reason why…’ This is far from being even like ‘The Charge of the Light brigade against the deadly Russian Cossacks.’

This reminds me of an old Hindi proverb: Ham bhi dubengge, aur yaar ko bhi leke dubbenge. Translated in English: We will also drown, and we will also take the friend.

Now, the brutal simplicity of the situation is that Meiteis must break a sweat in order to halt the slide towards their own extinction.

Only an inexhaustible fuel of optimism and hard work will guide us through these troubled times and offer a brighter future for our children.

This near-future rate of extinction depends to some extent on the current levels of threat emanating from ethnic Kukis, who believe they are also fighting for their survival albeit illegally by destroying forests for poppy plantation and expanding their population with co-ethnic immigrants, and to the detriment of ethnic Meiteis.