Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh met with Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP Chief JP Nadda in Delhi to brief them about the ethnic violence between the Meiteis and Kuki tribals that broke out in the state. The Chief Minister, along with four of his cabinet ministers and Manipur BJP chief Sarada Devi, discussed the situation in Manipur with Mr. Shah, including the tribal MLAs’ demand for a “separate administration.”
The violence erupted after a “tribal solidarity march” was held in the 10 hill districts on May 3 in protest against Meiteis’ demand for Scheduled Tribes’ (ST) status. The clashes were preceded by tension over the eviction of Kuki villagers from reserve forest land, which led to a series of smaller agitations. The Meiteis account for 53% of Manipur’s population and live mostly in and around the Imphal valley, while the tribals – Nagas, Kukis, and others – constitute another 40% of the population and live in the hill districts.
The demand for “separate administration” for Kukis could deepen the divide between the Meiteis and the Kukis, causing further clashes between the two communities. A Home Ministry official stated that the Chief Minister has been instructed to handle the matter carefully and take adequate precautions so that fresh clashes don’t break out. The violence has resulted in the deaths of 60 people, according to the Chief Minister.
The Meitei community in Manipur gathered at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar to demand the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC), an exercise to identify illegal immigrants and deport them. The protesters stated that Meiteis who have been living in Kuki-majority hills have left their homes and are unable to return, allegedly due to threats from Kuki insurgents who are hiding in the hills.
The Kukis have objected to the Meiteis’ demand for inclusion under the ST category citing that the numerically larger and economically stronger Meiteis will grab all government benefits and take their lands. Currently, the Meiteis – Hindus who are mostly settled in and around the state capital Imphal Valley – cannot buy land in the tribal-majority hills, while the tribals can buy land in the valley.
