Conflict between the Tribes in Manipur

The state of Manipur had to deploy its Army overnight and implement a shoot-at-sight order to manage the widespread violence that is occurring in various districts of the state. Over 9,000 individuals were forced to flee their homes because of the conflict that broke out between the tribal people and the dominant Meiteis group. The conflict is mostly between the Kukis of the hills and the Meiteis of the Imphal Valley because of the Meiteis' demand for Scheduled Tribe designation and the Manipur government's campaign to expel illegal immigrants from reserve forests in hill-based districts. 

Read this article to learn more about the major problem with Manipur violence, its effects, and other related topics. So let's get going!

Exactly what is going on in Manipur?

An issue that has plagued Manipur for ten years is resurfacing, but this time in the form of violent demonstrations against a High Court order to include Meiteis (based in the Imphal Valley) in the Scheduled Tribes category.

Meiteis make about 10% of Manipur's land area but make up about 53% of the state's population. If Meiteis are listed as STs, they can now buy land in the tribal-inhabited hills of Manipur.

The majority-Hindu sections of the Meitei community are already classified as Scheduled Castes (SC) or Other Backward Classes (OBC), and they are eligible for the benefits associated with these statuses. In addition, the Manipuri language of the Meiteis is listed in the Constitution's Eighth Schedule.

Why did violence occur in Manipur?

• The ST status of Meiteis and illegal immigration in Manipur Hills are the primary issues in relation to Imphal Valley and Manipur Hills. Let's look at some information on the state of Manipur in order to comprehend the situation completely.

• There are 16 districts in Manipur. Imphal Valley and Hill districts are two separate regions of the state. 35 tribes call it home, most of them Naga or Kuki.

• On the one side, Meiteis, a group of Hindus who make up five districts in the Imphal Valley, constitute the majority population.

• On the other hand, the Naga and Kuki tribes control the hill districts. Additionally, the most of the current violence is concentrated in the hill district of Churachandpur. 

• The majority of the Kukis and Nagas are Christians, with the Kukis dominating four highland districts.

•  Since both migrants from other regions of the country and members of the tribes live in the valley, it is the most populous area of the state.

• The remaining population is dispersed throughout the most amount of territory in the Manipur hill districts. These districts do have reserve forest areas, though.

• Meiteis, also known as Manipuris, make up the bulk of the state's population, and their dominance is the main cause of concern for the Kuki tribes. If Meiteis are granted ST status, reservations for them will become an increasing source of worry for the tribes living in the mountainous regions.

Is it legal for police to open fire on a crowd that is demonstrating under IPC?

• According to the law, police in India are often not allowed to open fire on a crowd that is demonstrating. Police officers are only permitted to use lethal force under very restricted circumstances to defend themselves or others from harm that is imminent.

• The use of force by police personnel is governed under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). 

• Additionally, according to these rules, police personnel are required to use only the smallest amount of force necessary to accomplish their goals and make sure that their actions are appropriate given the threat they are facing (Section 99 of the IPC). 

• Therefore, it is forbidden to shoot at a crowd of protesters without cause in India.

• Furthermore, the Indian Constitution guarantees the freedom to peaceful assembly and protest. Such protests must be supported by the police, who must also safeguard the demonstrators' security.

•  However, the demonstration must be "peaceful"; otherwise, the police may use force, but only to the extent necessary to accomplish the desired result.

Demanding Meiteis Scheduled Tribe status

1. The Kukis Perspective-

On April 20, the Manipur High Court ordered the state administration to provide the Meitei community's appeal to be listed among the Scheduled Tribes four weeks to be considered. The HC requested that the central government receive the recommendation for review. The Kuki organisations, who are opposing the Meiteis ST classification and held a "Tribal Solidarity March," are denouncing this action. If Meiteis are granted ST status, Kukis worry that they'll annex all of their territory in the hill districts.

2. The Meiteis Perspective-

Meiteis asserts that the demonstration against the ST status is a hoax. The state government's efforts to drive out illegal immigrants from communities in reserve forest areas in the hill districts are the main source of concern for the Kukis.

They took advantage of the demonstration against the ST status to their advantage, but their primary issue is the eviction drive. However, the effort is taking place all over Manipur, not just in the Kuki region, according to Chand Meetei Pocshangbam, a member of the All Meitei Council.

3. Demand for NRCs and illegal immigration in the Manipur Hills-

Numerous Manipuri organizations staged a protest in New Delhi in March to call for the creation of an NRC using 1951 as the starting year. The main cause for concern was the state's unexpected population growth rate of 24.5%, which was higher than the 17.64% national average. This unusual increase was primarily noted in the Kuki and Naga-inhabited hill regions of Manipur. According to the All Meitei Council, the Kukis are residing illegally in Manipur's forests after crossing the border into Myanmar. 

In response, the Kukis asserted that the goal of the eviction drive and the desire for ST status was to displace the Kukis from their land.

Manipur's internet is blocked-

Due to fights between young men and volunteers from various areas, mobile internet connectivity has been suspended in the state for 5 days.

Tribes and Meiteis individuals are torching some homes and burning tires on the sides of roadways in various sections of the state, demonstrating the gravity of this protest.

Conclusion-

We might infer that the tribal organizations are opposed to the HC order primarily for two reasons. The Meiteis dominate both in terms of population and political representation and their language, Manipuri, is listed in the Constitution's VIIIth Schedule. Additionally, the Hindu segments of the Meitei society are already categorized as either SC or OBC. 

After the gathering descended into violence, the state authorities enforced a curfew and shut down mobile internet access for five days throughout the whole state. To control the crisis, the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), and Rapid Action Forces were quickly mobilized.

What is your opinion on this matter? Is the shoot-at-sight and curfew policy appropriate in this case? Comment on this page.