Meiteis Vs Kukis: Many fault-lines in Manipur that goes past minority-majority battle

The scenario in Manipur is advanced, to say the least. It goes past the struggle between ethnicities. Religious faultlines have solely compounded the scenario regardless that it’s a side both ignored or selectively advised as a “fight between Hindu Meiteis and tribals.” Illegal infiltration is on the coronary heart of this downside. All in all, there’s a sinister plot at play and historical past is witness to it. Misleading mainstream media reviews too have brazenly taken sides, unsurprisingly so. However which may be, NorthEast, sadly, continues to bear the brunt.

Violence broke out between largely Hindu Meiteis and Christian Kukis on third May throughout a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ organised by the All Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM) within the Churachandpur district’s Torbung space to oppose the demand of the Meeteis for Scheduled Tribe (ST) standing.

While the tribal teams have been opposing the Meitei neighborhood’s demand for ST standing for years, the current protests and violence have been triggered by a Manipur High Court order on 27 March, directing the Manipur authorities to submit suggestions to the union authorities for the inclusion of Meitei within the ST record. The courtroom had issued the order after a number of petitions filed by Meitei activists searching for the mentioned route.

Meiteis have been searching for the ST standing since 1981 when the then CM Rishang Keishing raised the problem within the state meeting. In 1995, they have been granted the Other Backward Classes (OBC) standing. Two sub-communities throughout the Meiteis – Chakpas (beforehand often known as lois) and Thoubal Khunous (beforehand Yaithibis) – have been already recognized as Scheduled Castes (SC) in 1956.

The Meiteis have made a number of requests by submitting memorandums to the state and the Centre since 2013 on this regard however to no avail. In 2012, the Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee of Manipur (STDCM) was shaped which submitted the primary such memorandum in November 2012 to the then Governor Gurbachan Singh Jagat.

In December similar 12 months, one other memorandum was submitted by the STDCM to the then Congress CM Okram Ibobi Singh.

On 29 May 2013, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs wrote to the Manipur govt searching for a particular suggestion on the inclusion of Meiteis within the ST record; it additionally sought the newest socio-economic survey information and an ethnographic report on Meiteis. It has been 10 years but no submissions have been made by the state in response to the Centre’s letter. This regardless of 30 representations made to the state and 10 to the Central govt.

Who are the Meiteis & why are they demanding ST standing?

Meiteis, also called Meetei or Manipuri, are the most important ethnic group within the state of Manipur comprising about 53% of the state’s inhabitants (as per 2011 census information). The majority of Meiteis are Hindus and a few are Muslims, referred to as the Pangals. They at present fall below the OBC class.

Interestingly, the Meiteis have been included within the Scheduled Tribes record as a “tribe among tribes of Manipur” earlier than the signing of the Merger Agreement of Manipur on 21 September 1949 into the Union of India. They have been stripped of this ST standing after Manipur merged with India. At that point, SC-ST standing was not wanted, the reservation was not that huge, and even govt jobs weren’t thought-about as essential as they’re immediately, and subsequently the Meiteis didn’t object after they have been moved out of the ST record.

Meiteir stage peaceable protest in Jantar Mantar in New Delhi

Notably, out of Manipur’s whole space of twenty-two,327 sq km, Meiteis are restricted to a mere 2,000 sq km space within the shrinking Imphal valley constituting East and West Imphal, Thoubal, Kakching, Bishnupur, and Jiribam. So the bulk inhabitants of Manipur occupies a mere 10% of land within the state with no rights to buy land exterior this periphery. They can’t buy nor occupy land within the hill districts of the state which accounts for 90% of the land in Manipur, as non-tribals usually are not allowed to purchase land within the tribal hill areas.

According to the World Meetei Council, restoration of the ST standing is a matter of survival. “Majority of the Meetei community live in a hand-to-mouth economy. Among the indigenous communities in the Northeast, Meetei is one of the smallest communities. Meetei is smaller than Naga, Khongjai(Kuki), Tai-ahom, etc,” says the Council on its web site.

It additional mentions, “Meetei community was isolated and not connected to MAINLAND INDIA in the past. And now with a small population of hardly 17 lakhs in India approximately 14 lakhs and 2 lakhs in Manipur and Assam respectively and the rest in other NE states and other cities of India, Meetei feels quite awkward socially and culturally. With 32.59% of the population living below the poverty line and a per capita income of Rs 70,000/- only, the community is among the poorest in India. The literacy Rate is 79% but drastically low in higher education due to economic backwardness.”

In December 2019, the Central govt prolonged the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Manipur following the calls for of the Meiteis who worry dropping their land.

Who are the Kukis and why are they in opposition to granting ST standing to Meiteis?

The largely Christian Kuki tribe in Manipur includes over 20 sub-tribes. They are also called CHIKIM – Chin-Kuki-Mizo-Zomi – and CHIKUMI. Chins are largely believed to have migrated from the Chin state of Burma (Myanmar). Some migrated to Bengal the place they got here to be often known as Kukis.

Another main group of tribals in Manipur is comprised of a number of Naga tribes. However, the Nagas have saved themselves distanced from the present battle. Although additionally they oppose the granting ST standing to Meiteis, they haven’t taken half within the present protests and violence.

It is notable that solely Meiteis and Nagas have been residing in Manipur for 1000’s of years, and Kukis are comparatively new to the area. Kukis migrated from Myanmar within the 18th and nineteenth centuries for numerous causes, together with persecution by extra highly effective teams in Myanmar. It is named the Great Kuki Exodus. Kukis migrated in massive numbers from the Mizo and Chill hills to Manipur throughout this Great Kuki Exodus within the 18th and nineteenth centuries.

An picture shared by the Kuki-Zomi group ITLF with the tribes donning the separatist flag of Zomi Revolutionary Army for “Kukiland”

The migration of Kukis to Bengal, Mizoram, and finally Manipur was owing to numerous elements. Meitei kings, who would face occasional raids by the Nagas, settled the Kuki tribes from Myanmar to behave as demographic buffers. These tribes got here to be often known as Old Kukis or Khongjais. Immigrant Kukis have been additionally settled by the British within the space for related causes.

Nonetheless, the frequent level in all these theories is that Kukis weren’t essentially authentic inhabitants of Manipur, in contrast to the Meiteis and Nagas. However, they have been taken into the fold by the Meiteis after which the British given the calls for of the scenario in these instances.

However, the migration of Kukis from Myanmar didn’t cease after the nice exodus, it continues even immediately, because the scenario in Myanmar stays risky, and the bulk teams proceed to focus on and assault different teams. This has resulted in ongoing stress within the state, because the Meiteis allege that native Kukis are serving to Burmese Kukis to immigrate illegally after which settle in forest land.

It is protected to say that Kukis and Meiteis have been residing aspect by aspect even with their fair proportion of variations.

But Kukis consider that the Meiteis would not have the traits of a tribe anymore. One of their arguments is that the Meiteis misplaced their tribal traits following the introduction of Hinduism across the 1730s by the King.

In an interview, outstanding Kuki chief Wilson L Hangsing expressed his reservations saying, “If there are Meiteis who remember and identify which sub-tribe they belong to under the Meitei umbrella then they can demand the ST status. But for the entire Meitei community including the Brahmins, who are not indigenous, to demand the status is propaganda. All other castes are flexible, for example, a Kshatriya King can become a Shudra if he loses a battle. But others cannot become Brahmins, everyone knows that. Brahmin Meiteis have all come from Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa.”

“Their ethnic identity may have been lost but their caste identity is still Brahmin. I don’t see how they can be reverted to tribals,” mentioned the Kuki chief.

Kukis make up 26% of the Manipur inhabitants and occupy nearly all of the 90% of land primarily within the southern hills comprising Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Chandel, and Tengnoupal districts.

Kuki National Organisation militants

The remaining space is occupied largely by the Naga tribe within the north consisting of Senapati, Ukhrul, Tamenglong and Chandel districts. Nagas made up 17% of the state’s inhabitants. The Nagas have traditionally had amicable ties with the Meiteis barring some incidents of assault on Meitei kings. Many Nagas have additionally been absorbed into the Meitei inhabitants.

As far as the present scenario is worried, the Nagas have distanced themselves from the battle. Both the Nagas and Kukis should buy land within the Imphal Valley too.

Demands for a separate ‘Kukiland’ have additionally been made up to now since 1980. This started after the formation of Kuki-Zomi rebel teams specifically Kuki National Organisation (KNO), Kuki National Army (KNA), and Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA). In a newer growth, Kukis now search Kukiland Territorial Council on the traces of the Bodoland Territorial Council in Assam.

Illegal infiltration, encroachment, and medicines menace

At the outset, the battle appears to be that of identification and demand for ST standing. But there’s extra. The inflow of unlawful migrants from throughout the border from Myanmar and Bangladesh, the cropping up of unlawful villages, poppy cultivation and terrorism pose a direct menace to the state’s demography and assets. These have given rise to the demand for NRC among the many Meiteis.

Manipur CM launches “War on Drugs” marketing campaign in 2018 (Source: NorthEast Now)

Meiteis alleged that the Kukis who’re in Myanmar and Bangladesh have been illegally crossing over the border, taking on land, and being sheltered by their distant kin who moved to India many years in the past. This has additionally facilitated the drug nexus.

Large areas of forest land are being occupied by the Kukis and transformed into Poppy plantations, operating a bustling opium commerce. Illegal villages had been cropping up on forest land within the hill districts together with the poppy farms. These have been largely within the protected and reserved forest areas of CHIKUMI districts. Most of those encroachers are Burmese Kukis and have migrated illegally in comparatively bigger numbers ever because the February 2021 coup in Myanmar.

Poppy fields destroyed by authorities

The N Biren Singh govt has been finishing up a large-scale crackdown in opposition to encroachment and poppy cultivation since coming to energy. The safety forces have been destroying poppy fields, however they maintain coming again.

The govt additionally razed a number of illegally constructed Churches on lands below reserved and guarded forests.

3 illegally-built church buildings razed by Manipur govt in April. (Source: Organiser)

Despite a number of notices from the govt. to the villages, there was no response however open defiance. Both the Meiteis and the Nagas have staunchly backed the state authorities’s eviction drives.

It is being alleged that the ST standing for Meiteis was simply an excuse for the violence, and the actual purpose is opposition to the crackdown on encroachment and poppy cultivation. It can also be alleged that Churches additionally could possibly be behind it after the govt. demolished the unlawful church buildings.

The Manipur govt had additionally launched a marketing campaign in opposition to medication in 2017 to fight large-scale unlawful poppy cultivation. Illicit poppy cultivation is principally being performed in hill districts of Ukhrul, Senapati, Kangpokpi, Kamjong, Churachandpur, and Tengnoupal.

According to information from 2017 to 2023, 2518 arrests have been made. Of these, curiously, the best amongst these arrested have been Muslims (1083), adopted by Kuki-Chin (873), Meitei (381), and others (181).

15,496 acres of poppy cultivation have been unearthed. Of this Kuki-Chin tribes recorded a complete of 13,121.8 acres of poppy cultivation, Nagas recorded 2340 acres, and different communities accounted for 35 acres.

The crackdown is owing to rising drug abuse and trafficking, notably among the many youth, which has typically additionally percolated the political corridors of Manipur.

Moreover, the Meiteis have demanded that the India-Myanmar border be sealed owing to the inflow of “terrorist groups”.

Manipur and its encounters with battle

The occupation of Assam by the hands of the Burmese for seven years (1817-1826) spilled over into the neighbouring state of Manipur as nicely. In Manipur, this era is named Chahi-Taret Khumtakpa (seven years of devastation).

In 1992, not less than 84 individuals misplaced their lives in clashes between Nagas and Kukis. In 1993, communal clashes between Pangals (Muslims) and Meiteis (Hindus) left not less than 100 lifeless.

Pangals of Manipur (Source: NorthEast Live)

Interestingly, ever since, 3 May is marked as a black day or Shaheedi Memorial Day by the Pangals who’ve their very own armed teams specifically All Manipur Muslim Students’ Organization (AMMSO), All Manipur Muslim Girl Students’ Organization (AMMGSO) and Pangal (Manipur Muslim) Political Forum (PPF).

Another much less talked about issue that has probably performed a task within the battle is the existence of People’s United Liberation Front (PULF). It underlines that terrorism is one other menace staring proper into Manipur not less than since 2006 when three Pangals named Salman Khurshid (23), Abdul Rahman (24), and Mohammad Akbar Hussein (20) have been arrested by the Delhi police with arms and ammo.

In 2018, a bandh was referred to as by the All Manipur Muslims Organisation Coordinating Committee (AMMOCOC) in opposition to the eviction drive performed by the state. This after CM N Biren Singh had suggested in opposition to communalising the eviction drive. “A particular community in the state, in the name of following the same religion, are encouraging the entry of illegal migrants in the state.”

The knowledgeable view

Experts who’ve been finding out the NorthEast, notably Manipur, have a really clear perspective. Some say that Kukis usually are not the unique natives of Manipur and have been settled right here by the British from Myanmar. An knowledgeable, who didn’t wish to be named, mentioned, “In 1891 after the British defeated the Meiteis in the Anglo-Manipur War, they brought in the Kukis from Burma which was also under the Raj at the time. So the Christian-convert Kukis have since become trouble-makers considering that they demand a “Kukiland” which incorporates elements of Bangladesh, Burma, and elements of India. So they’ve a separatist-expansionist technique. They are creating bother wherever they go.” Some additionally consider that the battle is being orchestrated from exterior India.

This poses a harmful problem to the Meiteis. The STDCM claims that the inhabitants of Meiteis was 59% in 1951 and has come all the way down to 44% in 2011. The Meitei physique says the neighborhood is not the bulk. “Looking at the trend of the demographic change, the number could fall further come the 2021 census data,” mentioned STDCM working president in an interview.

The secret Kuki gameplan: Capture an enormous territory in India’s Far East & minimize off India’s entry to pleasant nations in South-East Asia.

Exactly like Pakistan cuts off our entry to Central Asia & Europe.

The goal is to derail India’s Act East coverage & cease India’s rise. pic.twitter.com/RHf0cDszri

— Abhijit Chavda (@AbhijitChavda) July 4, 2023

A letter by one other Kuki group referred to as Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), which has now gone viral on social media, has drawn stark criticism from non-tribals and consultants alike. In the letter, the group brazenly admits to the “distribution of lands and properties earlier owned by Meitei people.” It additional casts hypothesis about whether or not there’s inaction in opposition to the identical by the Indian forces, saying, “timely intervention of Assam Rifles.” The group brazenly admits to and declares its “war for complete separation from the state of Manipur.”

Anthropologist and Author, Rami Niranjan Desai is of the view that the Kukis can’t be welcoming of unlawful infiltrators simply because they probably share historic or ancestral ties with them. She additionally believes that if a neighborhood accounts for 30% to 40% of the inhabitants, it can’t be deemed a minority.

The Meitei neighborhood has an absolute proper to demand inclusion in Scheduled record, if there’s an objection you’ll be able to vocalise it however you’ll be able to’t grow to be computerized weapon wielding anarchists. The Kuki militants have misplaced the conflict of notion not less than. #ManipurRiots https://t.co/77khoamJwz

— Rami Niranjan Desai (@ramindesai) May 29, 2023

“According to me, a minority would be a community that accounts for a single-digit population, say 2% or so.” The tribals in Manipur account for about 47%. This turns into a key purpose for the Hindu Meiteis to demand a level-playing subject.

A quick abstract

It is protected to say that the protection of Manipur has been extremely biased. Almost all mainstream media reviews have made the pitch – that “Hindu majority Meiteis” are demanding ST standing – with out offering the context of their demand. The reviews go on to speak about tribal casualties intimately, present the crackdown on encroachments and poppy cultivation in a nasty mild, and are restricted to the simplistic majority-minority narrative.

The most underreported element of the continued battle has been the exodus of Hindus from the Kuki-majority Churachandpur district. Hindu activists have claimed that the third May violence will not be a tribal vs non-tribal battle, however it was really initiated by the Christian tribals to evict the Meiteis from Christian majority areas. Dr Khangembam Romesh, Assistant Professor in JNU, writes, “Kukis spreading Christianity among Meiteis had created multiple negative impacts on the region. The churches are communally coloured and effectively used to serve that purpose.”

The Hindu activists level out that the Tribal Churches Leaders’ Forum issued a press release supporting the tribal solidarity march. In response to the decision by ATSUM, The Tribal Churches Leaders Forum (TCLF unanimously resolved to endorse the ‘Solidary March’ of ATSUM in a gathering held on May 1. “This solidarity March organised by the ATSUM is to collectively protect the social, political and religious interests of the tribal people of Manipur,” mentioned the assertion.

The faultlines in Manipur breach each spectrum of identification. The final and accessible census information of 2011 is from a distinct time. The world has modified manifold ever since, and India’s Manipur has not been immune to those modifications. The current battle brings to the fore the bottom realities of Manipur that are altering by the day. The demand for ST standing by Meiteis dropping floor and the aggressive opposition by Kukis are technical particulars of the principle underlying issues that Manipur is going through immediately.

A screengrab from a video shared by Spear Corps of the Indian Army

Tracing the origins of the 2 communities will not be attainable nor will it essentially yield options to the present-day challenges. But it’s to be famous that someplace behind their ethnic identities, there’s a layer of non secular identification too which has been giving form to a battle which will blow out of proportion very quickly till Indians “Look East” and “Act East.”