MANIPUR: 60 people have been killed, 231 injured & at least 1,700 houses, including religious places, burned in recent clashes. Here’s why.
Crux
On April 20, 2023, the Manipur High Court directed the state to consider the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe list. The non-Meiteis fear a potential loss of job opportunities and argue that the Meitei community is already categorized under Scheduled Castes (SC) or Other Backward Classes (OBC).
Immediate Provocation
The All Tribal Student Union Manipur organized a Tribal Solidarity March on May 3, 2023, in response to the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. However, during the march in the Torbung area of Churachandpur district, an armed mob allegedly targeted individuals from the Meitei community, resulting in retaliatory attacks and the escalation of violence across the state.
History
The Meitei community previously held tribal status before signing the Merger Agreement with the Union of India on September 21, 1949. However, during the merger, they lost their tribal status and identity. A petition was filed in court to regain their tribal status among the tribes of Manipur, aiming to preserve the community and protect ancestral land.
Geography Matters too
Manipur's geography plays a crucial role in the conflict. It is a state divided into two regions: the Manipur Valley and the Manipur Hills. The valley, occupying 10% of the land, is predominantly inhabited by the non-tribal Meitei community, representing over 64% of the population and holding the majority of assembly seats. They follow Hinduism. On the other hand, the hills, covering 90% of the area, are home to various recognized tribes known as 'Any Naga tribes' and 'Any Kuki tribes,' who are mainly Christians.
Way Out
On May 9, 2023, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud stated that the Manipur High Court does not have the authority to direct the state government on granting Scheduled Tribe status to a community. The Supreme Court is also scheduled to hear a petition concerning the Manipur violence in the next week. Experts have proposed various solutions, including considering ST status for the Meiteis, preserving the state's territorial integrity, and granting autonomy to the hill areas while ensuring constitutional rights.