Will the conflict between the Kuki and Meitei communities end, or is it a sign of a bigger problem? The violence in Manipur, a state in northeast India, has revealed the serious tensions between the Meitei and Kuki groups.

What is the conflict about?

The violence in Manipur is about the Meitei community's demand to be recognised as a Scheduled Tribe (ST). This status provides special benefits, such as reserved seats in schools, government jobs, and other support programs designed to help disadvantaged groups. The Meiteis mostly live in the valley areas of the state. In April 2023, the Manipur High Court supported this demand and asked the state government to consider it.

The Kuki and Naga tribes, who live in the hills, strongly oppose the Meiteis' demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. They believe the Meiteis already have more economic advantages and political power. The hill tribes worry that if the Meiteis get ST status, they will lose their share of the limited resources and opportunities meant for disadvantaged groups.

Who are the Meiteis and the Kuki groups?

  • Meiteis:
    The Meiteis are the largest ethnic group in Manipur, making up about 64% of the population. They mostly live in the Imphal Valley, which covers just 10% of the state’s land. Most Meiteis follow Hinduism, while some are Muslims. Politically, they are very influential, controlling 40 out of 60 seats in the state assembly.

 

  • Kukis and Nagas:
    The Kukis and Nagas are tribal groups living in the hilly areas of Manipur, which make up 90% of the state’s land but only 35% of its population. Most of them are Christians and rely on the hills for their livelihood. These communities have faced a lack of development and basic facilities over the years.

How did the violence begin?

The conflict grew worse in May 2023 after the Manipur High Court asked the state government to think about giving Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Meitei community. This led to protests by the Kuki and Naga groups, who worried that if the Meiteis also got ST benefits, it would leave fewer opportunities for them in jobs and education.

Tribal groups held a march called the Tribal Solidarity March to protest against the demand for ST status for the Meitei community. However, this march turned violent, causing fights to break out across the state. What started as a legal issue has now grown into a conflict between communities, with both sides blaming each other for attacks and violence.

Manipur violence: What is happening and why

Historical background of the conflict

The conflict between the Meiteis, who live in the valley, and the Kukis and Nagas, who live in the hills, has been building up for a long time and is rooted in history.

During British rule, Manipur was a princely state. To protect the valley from Naga attacks, the British brought the Kuki-Zomi people from Myanmar and settled them in the hills. This created a division between the hill tribes and the people living in the valley.

After Manipur joined India in 1949, the Meiteis lost their tribal status. They feel this weakened their cultural identity. At the same time, the hilly areas stayed underdeveloped, causing frustration among the tribal people. The Meiteis are also worried about their decreasing population. In 1951, they made up 59% of the population, but by 2011, it had dropped to 44%. Meanwhile, the tribal population has grown. This is one reason the Meiteis are now asking for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

Why did the situation worsen in 2023?

The violence in Manipur started in 2023 after the High Court asked the state government to consider giving Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Meitei community. This has caused ethnic tensions because the Meiteis live in the valley, which has better facilities and jobs, while the Kukis and Nagas live in the hilly areas that are less developed.

The hill tribes are worried that if the Meiteis get ST status, they might be allowed to buy land in the hills, which is currently reserved for tribal people. Another issue is the 2021 Myanmar coup, which brought refugees, including ethnic Chins who are related to the Kukis. This made the Meiteis fear that the population balance might change.Both communities have weapons, either stolen from police supplies or smuggled from Myanmar. This has made the violence worse and harder to stop.

Key events during the conflict

Protests by tribal groups against the Meitei demand for ST status became violent, leading to widespread burning, killings, and people being forced to leave their homes. To control the violence, the Manipur government ordered shoot-at-sight measures. Both the Meiteis and the tribal groups have accused each other of killing people and destroying homes. Many villages, particularly those with mixed populations, were set on fire, causing people to flee to safer areas where their ethnic group is in the majority.

Violence in Manipur

Current situation and renewed violence

The violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur has led to the deaths of 10 armed Kuki men and a Meitei family of six, deepening the conflict. To control the situation, the Manipur government has kept the internet and mobile services shut down in the affected areas. The central government has also sent more security forces to the state, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah cancelled his rallies in Maharashtra to focus on managing the violence in Manipur.

MLAs from the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Manipur have called for a major operation against Kuki militants. They accuse the militants of killing three women and three children in Jiribam district and have given a seven-day deadline for action. Violence has been increasing, with the Meitei and Kuki communities blaming each other for the attacks. To control the situation, the Manipur government has extended the suspension of internet and mobile services in Imphal Valley and the districts of Kangpokpi and Churachandpur. This step is meant to stop the spread of false information. The suspension will continue until November 20, after officials review the situation.

The violence in Manipur is caused by long-standing problems, such as unfair development, and different groups fighting over resources and their identity. Although actions like increased security and shutting down the internet might reduce violence for a short time, a permanent solution will need to fix the differences between the valley and hill areas. Right now, peace feels far away, and there is a real fear that the violence could turn into a bigger ethnic war unless the government and community leaders act quickly and fairly.