Arshad Shaikhlooks at the situation in strife-torn Manipur. The Northeast state has been the scene of violence since the last seven months. It is desperately searching for the return of normalcy. However, the apathy and ineptitude displayed by our political leadership and those in power has let down the people of Manipur. When the law of the jungle prevails, democracy takes a beating and loud claims of “good governance” prove hollow.
In a significant development in Manipur, the Centre and the BJP-led Biren Singh state government of Manipur have successfully inked a peace agreement with the United National Liberation Front (UNLF). The UNLF, which is recognized as the oldest valley-based (comprising armed Meitei rebels) separatist group in Manipur, has committed to renouncing all illegal activities and joining the mainstream. The Burma-based insurgency group had earlier been charged for ‘waging war’ against India. The group never accepted the legitimacy of the state government and questioned the character and worthiness of the elections held in Manipur.
However, the UNLF have now agreed to pursue a peaceful resolution within the constitutional framework. While this development is significant for bringing peace to Manipur, is the state returning towards normalcy? What is the current situation on the ground? What are the political challenges that need to be addressed? Have the Centre and the State government failed to find a way out of the dire situation that developed after the eruption of violence in May this year.
Measuring the violence
The Supreme Court-appointed committee, led by former Chief Justice of J&K High Court, Gita Mittal, submitted a report on the release of ‘ex-gratia payment to the next of kin of deceased’ to the apex court. The report also helped document the number of people killed since ethnic violence erupted in Manipur between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities on May 3. The reported data covers violence from May 3 to October 7.
In all 166 civilians were killed, with 98 from the Kuki-Zo community, 67 from the Meitei community, and one from the Naga community. Nineteen women from both Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities have been killed. Most of those killed are in the age group of 30 to 40 years. Nineteen women, five minors including a seven-year-old boy, are among the victims.
The State government records show that 175 people have been killed, with 81 identified bodies claimed, 88 identified bodies unclaimed, and six bodies are yet to be identified. Less than half of the victims’ familieshave received compensation ranging from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh. However, 38 families, including one Meitei family, have declined to accept any compensation from the government. The State government is making efforts to persuade these families to accept the compensation.
Roots of ethnic strife
The Kuki and Naga tribes (making up 24% and 16% of the Manipuri population respectively) residing in the hills of Manipur are considered Scheduled Tribes (STs). For over a decade, the Meiteis, who make up 53% of the population and mostly residing in the valley, have been seeking special benefits, and in April, they received a boost when the Manipur High Court recommended that the government consider their demand and set a deadline by mid-May.
The current violence erupted over the potential extension of benefits or even ST status to the dominant Meiteis. Kukis and Nagas were irked on the prospect of Meiteis getting reservations in colleges and government jobs that are currently reserved for them.
Traditionally, the Meiteis have resided in the more prosperous valley region of Manipur, which constitutes 10% of the state’s area. This has provided them with better employment and economic opportunities compared to the poorly developed hills where the Nagas and Kukis live. The development disparity between the valley and the hills has been a source of contention and rivalry between these ethnic groups. While they coexisted peacefully in the past, recent events have exposed old fault lines.
Manipur shares a border of nearly 400 km with Myanmar, and the coup in Myanmar in 2021 resulted in thousands of refugees seeking shelter in the Indian state. The Meiteis, who share an ethnic lineage with Myanmar’s Chin tribe, feared that the arrival of these refugees would outnumber them.
In addition, the state government launched a campaign in February to evict tribal communities from forests in the hills, claiming that they had encroached on government land. This sparked anger among the tribal people, who felt they were being forcibly displaced from their homes. Both the Meiteis and Kukis are known to possess a large number of weapons, including automatic firearms that have been either stolen from the state police or obtained from Myanmar.
An example worth emulating
Ethnic and tribal affinity is natural. However, if it becomes an impediment in the path of peace, progress, and justice then it is a vice, which takes the form of crime and violence. The antidote to such tendencies is the acceptance and adherence to the belief that in the final reckoning, we are all children of Adam and hence one family.
When Prophet Muhammad ﷺmigrated with his band of followers from Makkah to Madinah, he was confronted with the challenge of settling his companions (they were called Muhajirs (migrants)) among the local population (consisting of mainly the tribes of Aus and Khazraj) of Madinah. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ called the locals of MadinahAnsar (helpers) and established ties of kinship and brotherhood (called Muakhaat) between the Ansar and the Muhajireen. As the ultimate objective was to gain the pleasure of Allah and obey the Prophet ﷺ, the Ansar offered sacrifices to accommodate the Muhajireen in the most exemplary manner.
The society of Madinah prepared by the Prophet of Islam was the epitome of tolerance, accommodation, love, and sincerity. Humanitarian policies paved the way for universal values of goodwill, altruism, and philanthropy.
Today, the world is torn apart by the demon of nationalism and ethnic strife. Manipur is a textbook case of disunity, animosity, and discord between various ethnicities competing for their material share in this world. Manipur must follow the example of Madinah if it wants the normalcy it is desperately searching for.