Healing social cleavages in Manipur

The arson, violence and rioting that broke out in Imphal on May 3 and 4 have caused loss of several lives and disturbed the fragile peace in a state where ethnic fault lines are sharp and unresolved issues just awaiting a filibuster to be lit to explode. The riots were sequel to an official move to grant the scheduled tribes (ST) status to Meiteis who by virtue of being the majority in the State enjoy social, economic and political dominance.

The riots broke out between the Meiteis and Kuki-Zomi, following a march called by the All Tribal Students’ Union, Manipur. The tribals’ fears have also been exacerbated by a nod from the Manipur High Court that directed the state government to include the Meitei community in the ST list to be submitted to the Union tribal affairs ministry. Though the ‘shoot at sight’ orders have brought the situation under control, the roots of discord and discontent leading to disturbances are too deep to be ignored.

The societal peace in Manipur has had a high degree of vulnerability to disturbance due to precarious socioethnic mix, tribal ties across the border with Myanmar and history of rivalry between Meiteis dominating the valley, besides tribals holding sway in the hills. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government led by N Biren Singh perhaps did not exercise the necessary degree of caution while moving towards granting the ST status to Meiteis.

 Several issues and tensions intersect in the State to keep the situation volatile. For a long time, several parts of the State have been under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). This led the activist Irom Sharmila to go on the longest ever fast in its history, demanding its withdrawal. The Biren government’s bid to co-opt the Meities within the saffron parivar and vote bank, and official use of a divisive terminology has sought to drive a wedge between rival communities that have been competing for rights in matters of education, jobs and reservation of right to purchase land or settle within forests.

Reservation of land for tribals in hills—which have more land than valleys where Meiteis lives—has also been a bone of contention as Meiteis are barred from buying land in the hills but tribals can buy land in the valleys. Lack of development and economic opportunities too, have fuelled the turmoil over decades where youth can fall prey to a host of disruptive movements and ideologies.

Infiltration of Myanmarese militants from across the border, their presence in tribal areas and their association with militancy too has been an issue of political discourse in the State for some time now. However, highly placed police sources have alleged laxity in matters of vigilance by the State apparatus on this count.

Overall, the State presents the sad spectacle of the Biren government often being seen on the side of elements promoting social discord rather than those healing the communal cleavage. Social tensions being a reality of the State since long, it is imperative that the state government conducts wider consultation with public, civic society organisations and political parties on issues such as reservation, and to bring about reconciliation on fractious issues and avoid any act that may endanger peace and stability of the State.