More than thirty-five thousand people have been said to be dislocated and living in camps, and at least a hundred dead, as one types this. Reports of militants disguising as army personnels have come on 13-14th June 2023 from official quarters. And another Cabinet Minister’s official bungalow was torched; Nemcha Kipgen, who happens to be the only woman with this status, heads the ministry of Industries. Several people including the government officials, MLAs were forced to leave their home, due to burning of houses, which locals now recall, were maybe surveyed and marked, suspecting all this violence to have been pre-planned.
As the violence continues since May 3rd, 2023, in Manipur and borders of Nagaland, many ‘people’ are living in desperation. Their lives have been turned upside down and it is time that we all come together as a nation, and get aware on what is really happening in Manipur lest be insensitive; it is about PEOPLE DYING DUE TO VIOLENCE, AND NOT ANY GROUP OR COMMUNITY. Violence doesn’t affect in isolation and this has been the case here as well- such clashes have happened in past although at a smaller level. Yet, this time, it is presumed many more people have been directly affected as villages were torched, and praying women were dragged and killed, not even children were spared.
In Conversation
The following is an interview with a person who opened up to me sharing about the violence that erupted early on in May 2023 right after the peaceful march was being carried out by student group, ATSUM, against the demand for reservation by Meitei in Manipur. However, this is an issue that is still unresolved, therefore, I would like you to be vigilant and collect information from sources which are reliable and not just distract you from issues. PLEASE DO FACT CHECK EVERYTHING YOU READ OR HEAR ON INTERNET!!
Astha: How has the violence affected you and your community on a personal and emotional level?
K: I have not been affected physically because I am outside of Manipur but that does not mean I am not hurt emotionally, mentally. I am worried for my family, friends, relatives out there who are at the epicentre of the crisis. For example -my sister and her four school children who were studying in Imphal valley were almost killed by the mob and were luckily saved by the Indian Army. Likewise, a dear friend of mine was killed and his body is still at a hospital morgue for over 15 days and counting. I have heard many horrific stories which ached my heart and I can only pray to God for solution to this crisis so that peace can prevail once again in my beloved hometown.
Astha: Can you provide insights into the dynamics among the different communities which involved in the violence?
K: The Meitei’s are observed legitimately as one all-round ethnic group. The Tribals wherein have sub-divisions. The Manipur Kuki community is the main clan, and the sub clans underneath are Thadou, Zo, Hmar, Mizo, Paite, Simte, Gangte, Which is why the Meitei’s labeled us as the Kuki community which arises confusion. Meiteis are not tribals, but they demand ST status which is not possible as per the constitution of India. The Meiteis believe us in a whole as a Kuki community. Though the Tribals speak so many different languages between them but still they wouldn’t spare their life. For them when observing us, every tribals except the Naga are known as Kuki community. In Manipur, tribes other Tamkuls are called Manipur Naga. Those in Nagaland are called Naga Kuki.
Astha: Okay, so which clan or sub-clan do you identify or associate with?
K: I am a Nagaland Kuki tribe belong to Singson clan, who married a Haokip clan.
Astha: According to you, what were the main factors or underlying causes that contributed to the outbreak?
K: Let me not explain in a biased aspect and badmouth against anyone. Reiterating back from May 3rd, is when the outbreak initiated on both sides. The people representing the Tribal (Kuki-Zo) students’ union, ATSUM (All Tribal Student Union Manipur), dressed in black clothing, set to pace their movements on a march which is also called as the peace rally in refuting the Meitei’s demand for the ST status. They were in an enormous number walking down the lane from one village to another village, holding slogans, placards and voicing words of refusal to accept the Meitei’s demand for ST status.
The rally started at 10 AM from the market. The tribals (Kuki-Zo) were marching with agony and displaying agitation, hoping that their voices would be heard. After a while, all of them halted together at Peace ground, Churachandpur. They sang songs such as, ‘We shall overcome, we shall overcome someday’. While on the verge of singing, at around 3 PM, People received calls from their friends stating that the Anglo-Centenary Memorial Stone is being burned down by the Meiteis. This Stone is undoubtfully a priceless gem to us; who would not be furious when someone harms it? Having said that, it angered the Kuki’s and without any mercy all of them started a brawl fight against the Meiteis. This in turn broke out a huge clash between the two ethnic communities. The first clash happened at the Le sang village where they burnt the centenary.
Astha: Who are Kuki-Zo? Has this to do anything with the perception over religious angle in this violence? Can you describe a little more about ATSUM ?
K: ATSUM, a student union representing Kuki-Zo tribes, includes Christian followers who settled in Mizoram and Manipur. Meiteis perceive these groups as outsiders. Meiteis themselves have multiple religious groups. Churachandpur has a Kuki majority, Imphal has Meiteis as the majority, and Kangpokpi is closer to Nagaland. The region is divided into valley, hill, and plain areas, each with different land rights. Religious division is not the cause of clashes in the past or present. Media distortions misrepresent the truth.
In Churachandpur, burning incidents occurred in the evening after clashes. A curfew was imposed during a march against reservation for Meiteis, and police brutality led to escalating violence. The Meiteis are recognized as a distinct ethnic group, while the Tribals have various subdivisions. The main clan is the Manipur Kuki community, with sub-clans such as Thadou, Zo, Hmar, Mizo, Paite, Simte, Gangte. This labeling as the Kuki community by the Meiteis causes confusion. Meiteis are not considered tribals but seek ST status, which is not feasible under the Indian constitution. The Meiteis perceive all tribes as part of the Kuki community, despite the linguistic diversity among them. In Manipur, tribes other than Tangkhuls are referred to as Manipur Naga, while those in Nagaland are called Naga Kuki.
Astha: How has the communal violence impacted the social fabric and harmony among different communities?
K: As far as I see, The impact is extremely terrible. The Manipur Kuki MLA’s are not safe travelling to state capital Imphal(Manipur’s capital) for work on a daily basis. If the MLA’s are not safe, The Civilians would not even dare to pass on the road to Imphal. Imphal valley is dominated by the Meitei’s, Kuki avenues are few when compared to the Meiteis. All the Kuki houses, property, vehicles were completely demolished, ransacked and burnt down. The Kuki’s were forced to flee to their relatives and friend’s place at Churachandpur, Motbung, Kangpokpi. Kuki MLA Letpao Haokip spoke to the media “We are no longer safe staying in Imphal and we don’t trust the Manipur Govt.”
Astha: How does that make you feel?
K: That makes me feel so bad. How would be the life of other people. Two Kuki soldiers were also not spared. Income tax officers were also killed. A cabinet minister’s official residence was also not spared.
Astha: What is your personal observations of the violence and its consequences in the near future?
K: I have observed that it will be almost impossible for the Kuki tribes to go back and settle in the Imphal valley like before as they have lost trust in the present government and their properties were torched. However, I think we can live in peace as neighbours with separate administration under the framework of the Indian Constitution for Kuki tribes in the hills.
Astha: What role do you think the media, civil society, and the government can play in preventing future incidents of communal violence and promoting communal harmony?
K: As per the decision of the 10 Kuki MLA’s, I also stand and support with their decision. The demand from us to the central government is that “We need a separate administration”. If and only the government, civil society and the media endorse with us during this unprecedented ethnic clash times. There will be no more violence between the two sides and the respect will generate higher between the two communities. The MLAs urged the Centre government to provide a ‘separate administration’ under Indian Constitution for the Kuki-Zo areas and allow them to live peacefully as neighbours. Separate administration can be the only solution to end the violence between the two ethnic groups.
Astha: Is there anything else you would like to share about the communal violence or its aftermath that hasn’t been discussed yet?
K: The Meitei’s seek the ST status but Manipur CM Biren Singh opposes the separate administration demand by the Kuki’s. To access the ST status one needs to fulfil the criteria where the Meitei’s cannot fulfil it. Because they are not tribals. I don’t see them using a good political logic to counter their demands as well as deny our demands. At this moment, All of us Kuki’s are in pressure and in fear to stay at the Imphal valley again. If they don’t grant us a separate administration, we would still never live with them. The hatred and angst against us from the Meitei’s doesn’t allow us to have peaceful days and nights anymore. You know, there is a group called ‘Arambai’ among one of Meiteis, who carry weapons all the time, these are assumed to be specially appointed for incurring violence during clashes.
PLEASE CHECK OUT THESE LINKS TO KNOW MORE OF THE RELIABLE INFORMATION ON THE ISSUE:
On the personal front, my only urge is for all to not politicise human lives, violence is not inconsequential. It only goes on and the solution is only to break the chain reaction that occurs. It can be a political battle but bloodshed should not be the solution. Let peace be with every soul.
‘We shall overcome soon!!’