INTRODUCTION

Ethnic tensions have pushed Manipur into a civil war, as the dominant Meitei and minority Kuki groups engage in conflicts over land and power.

The Meitei people, mostly Hindus and some following Sanamahi religion, make up about 53% of Manipur's 33 lakh population. The remaining population is made up of Naga tribes (20%) and Kuki-Zo tribes (16%), mostly christians. The Meitei people primarily live in the Imphal Valley, while the tribals live in the hill districts.

In the last one year, over 221 people have been killed, including more than a dozen security personnel, and thousands have been injured. At least 50,000 people have been internally displaced and around 45 people from both communities remain missing.

Reasons for tensions 

• Immediate Causes: The Manipur High Court ruled in late March 2023 in favour of the Meitei community's long-standing request for Scheduled Tribe status, which would give them access to benefits and reserved government seats. 

• The Kukis and other tribal communities protested that the Meitei will acquire land in the hills, where they have had exclusive rights until now. 

• The Kuki-Naga protest rally turned violent based on a rumour of desecration of a Kuki war memorial by Meiteis which led to retaliatory attack on Meitei villages.

• Fake reports of Meitei women raped by Kuki militia led to the parading naked of two Kuki women by a Meitei mob that spiraled into deadly cycle of reprisal violence.

• Historical Division: British colonial policies divided Manipur into 'Hills' and 'Valley,' fostering separation between Meiteis in the valley and hill-dwelling tribes like Nagas and Kukis. 

• Post-independence, granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to hill tribes deepened this divide, sparking contention over government jobs and education access for Meiteis.

• Migration Influx: Myanmar’s military coup of 2021 led to refugee influx into Manipur. 

• Tensions arose as the Meitei community opposed settlement of refugees, mainly Kuki and Naga, due to cultural ties and concerns over resources.

• Structural Issues - In Manipur, the Imphal valley, home to Meiteis, covers 10% of the land but hosts 67% of the population and half of the cultivated land. Conversely, the forested hills, inhabited by Kukis and Nagas, make up over 75% of the state's territory, where shifting cultivation predominates. This stark contrast worsens existing disparities in Manipur.

• The state operates separate judicial and governance systems for tribal hill regions, overseen by Autonomous Hill Councils which have authority to administer and transfer property rights within their jurisdictions.

• Economic Issues: In the Imphal valley, population growth and economic constraints prompted Meitei groups to pursue Scheduled Tribe status.

• The 2021-22 employment report by Government of India revealed this tension, with agriculture dominating the economy (42% of households) and a scarcity of opportunities evident in high self-employment rates (60%).

• Sectarianism: Manipur, harbours diverse ethnicities fiercely guarding their cultural heritage and territorial rights. Meiteis, mainly Hindu, contrast with the Christian Kukis and Nagas, with religious differences often exacerbating ethnic tensions. Recent attacks on religious sites highlight the sectarian aspect of this conflict.

• Drug angle: Manipur sits close to the “golden triangle” of drug trade and has seen large drug hauls in the state. The Meities claim the hill tribes to be the “Narco terrorists”. The state has responded by burning poppy cultivation in the hills.

• Kukis claim that this is a one-sided attack by the state without taking on the drug cartels that finance the drug trade.

• It is claimed that funding of underground armed groups in the region is linked to the drug trade and is one of the reasons for the brutal nature of the conflict. 

Government Response

• Intervention: Since May 3, the central government has started engaging with Manipur authorities and deploying additional CAPF companies. 

• Home Minister’s Visit: Home Minister Amit Shah stayed in Manipur from May 29 to June 1 and visited violence-affected areas and relief camps.

• Security Measures: The central government established a centralised command structure to coordinate security activities. Helicopters and drones were deployed. In extreme cases, shoot-on-sight orders were issued.

• Buffer Zone: Central security forces are establishing a "buffer zone" between Kuki hills and the Meitei-populated Imphal Valley to contain escalating violence and prevent conflict spillage into neighbouring areas, aiming for regional stability and security.

• Media blockade: Manipur's story received limited coverage from India's mainstream media, especially television.The internet shutdown in Manipur, totaling over 5,000 hours in 2023, was the world’s longest cyber blackout according to a report by Top10VPN.

• Imposed from May to December, the ban was deemed unconstitutional by the Manipur High Court in December, citing violations of the right to free speech under Article 21.

 Criticisms

• Delayed Reaction: Prime Minister reacted only after a video emerged dated May 4, showing Meitei mob humiliating two Kuki women. He called it a "disgrace for the entire country." Chief Minister N. Biren Singh announced arrests, justifying the delayed police complaint in May citing similar incidents and the internet shutdown rationale.

• Police Inaction: Accusations against the police mount for neglecting to aid Kuki community members during attacks and for ignoring reports of rape and violence against them. Four Meitei men were arrested over 70 days after a video depicting Kuki women being assaulted and allegedly gang-raped went viral.

• Failed Mediation: Home Minister Amit Shah's late-May visit to Manipur proved futile in facilitating negotiations between groups. The "peace committee" he established was rejected by Kuki groups, alleging Meitei dominance, including by the Chief Minister.

• Accusations: State government is accused by civil society of worsening divisions in Manipur by backing violent factions linked to the Hindu-majority Meitei community. Government, in turn, accuses the Christian-majority Kuki tribe of involvement in drug trafficking and sheltering Myanmar refugees.

• Criticism by SC - The Supreme Court criticised the government for failing to manage the situation in Manipur. CJI Chandrachud urged immediate action for the situation in Manipur, deeming it unacceptable.

• Resolution of EU: The European Union adopted a resolution addressing the crisis in Manipur and expressing strong condemnation for the violence. The EU has urged the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and voiced apprehensions regarding the internet shutdown.

Suggestions 

Way forward.

• Multifaceted Approach - To reorient India's counter-insurgency strategy in this complex scenario, a comprehensive and multifaceted approach is essential. This entails incorporating nuanced strategies tailored to the specific challenges posed by the situation.

• Addressing Root Cause - A paramount focus must be placed on comprehensively tackling the underlying causes of these conflicts, which encompass a spectrum of issues such as historical animosities, socio-economic disparities, and political disenfranchisement.
  
  

• Extra-Military Intervention - This endeavour entails engaging in negotiation processes and implementing peacebuilding initiatives that extend beyond mere military interventions. By addressing these challenges through dialogue and reconciliation, sustainable peace and stability can be fostered in the region
  
  

• Economic Development:The state government needs to prioritise the promotion of industry and service sectors as drivers of development in Manipur. By creating more non-agricultural economic opportunities, this approach has the potential to decrease people's reliance on agriculture and their attachment to the land.

• Inclusive Government:State government must establish efficient, accountable, participatory governance, ensuring transparency, service accessibility, and citizen engagement to address diverse needs and foster trust, civic participation, and socio-economic development in Manipur.

  
  

  Short Takes

  Autonomous Hill Council - Autonomous Hill/District Councils (ADCs) serve as decentralised governing bodies within India, tasked with safeguarding the rights and autonomy of tribal communities in specific regions. Enshrined in the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, this provision establishes 10 ADCs across four states.
  
  Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) - Legislation enacted by the Indian government in 1958. This law grants special powers to the armed forces deployed in "disturbed areas," allowing them to take extraordinary measures to maintain public order.

  
  

CONCLUSION

Stakeholders should adopt a multifaceted approach that addresses the root causes of the Manipur conflict while prioritising inclusive governance and economic development. By fostering dialogue, reconciliation, and sustainable peacebuilding initiatives, th

Keywords:
Manipur Internal Security Kuki-Zo Meitei