Ajanta Sarkar
Sandeep Pandey
Pukhrambam Lamjingba Khuman
Pukhrambam Lamjingba Khuman
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Pukhrambam Lamjingba Khuman
Siddharth Yadav
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Socialist Party (India)
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Pukhrambam Lamjingba Khuman
Socialist Party India
Do we have to wait till the next conflict between another set of ethnic groups before Kuki-Meitei strife fades?
Over the past one year Manipur has been witness to Meitei-Kuki conflict like nowhere seen even among Hindu-Muslim communities. Even if you may have totally segregated Hindu and Muslim residential areas like in some places in Gujarat, it is possible for a person of one community to pay a courtesy visit to the other community. But not so in Manipur. A Kuki government official cannot work in a Meitei area and vice-versa. When one moves from one area to another there are check posts, manned and womanned by both communities in their respective areas, in addition to the army, para-military and the Manipur police, sometimes total numbering up to half a dozen.
On March 27, 2023, Manipur High Court came out with a ruling granting Scheduled Tribe status to majority Meitei community, which was withdrawn after at least 220 people officially lost their lives, thousands have been displaced from their home and work of which an estimated 50,000 are still in relief camps, settlements have been burned and few women were sexually assaulted in the most humiliating manner. The ruling was perceived as a threat by the tribal community of Kuki. Although it is a threat to the Naga community as well but for the time being they’ve decided to not wade into the controversy, maintaining a neutral stance.
A unfortunate incident of burning tyres near an Anglo-Kuki gate in Churachandpur where Kukis were organizing a protest rally against the HC decision on 3 May, 2023, sparked what was to be the worst violent conflict Manipur has seen in its history.
In the ‘90s Kukis have clashed with Nagas. But by following a ‘forget and forgive’ policy the dispute was ended. In 1993 the Meiteis clashed with Pangals, who are Muslims of Meitei origin, and the violence claimed 90-130 lives. Incidentally, then the violence also began on 3 May. But this too is now forgotten. Presently the Meiteis and Kukis are using the Pangals as their go between. If any vehicle goes from a Meitei area to a Kuki area with non-Kuki and non-Meitei passengers or supplies and vice versa, the drivers are all Muslims. Given the intensity of hatred between Kukis and Meiteis which is fuelled by pre conceived biases one wonders whether we’ve to wait for the next conflict between another set of ethnic groups before the rancor of present conflict is forgotten?
After the initial attack on Kukis by Meiteis, in which the numbers of Kukis killed in first two days was disproportionate and also with Kuki houses marked before they were burnt there also appears to be some preparation going into the violence, the Kukis have taken a hard stance demanding a separate administration. Meiteis are committed to protecting the territorial integrity of Manipur, for which they’ve held many demonstrations. There is a stalemate and with no dialogue at present situation has become even grimmer.
The Naga dimension to the problem further entangles it. Nagas claim that the hills belong to them. They view majority of Kukis as having migrated from Myanmar after Manipur’s integration into India in 1949. Although right now they are silent but they will resist the idea of separate administration for Kukis, if it were to materialize, just like Meiteis have resisted the idea of Greater Nagalim which includes parts of Manipur in addition to Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and the whole of Nagaland. In fact, the demand by Meiteis to protect territorial integrity was first raised in response to the push by National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isac-Muivah) in its negotiations with the Government of India for the idea of Greater Nagalim.
So, the crux is that the Meiteis are insecure about the idea of separate administration for Kukis as it is a threat to territorial integrity of Manipur and Kukis and Nagas are insecure about Meiteis getting ST status as it would open up possibilities of Meiteis buying land on hills which belongs to Kukis and Nagas and competing for jobs reserved for STs.
A question that deserves serious consideration is why Manipur was not included in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution providing for administration of tribal areas along with other northeastern states like Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram? This provision could have addressed the concern of Kukis because of which they are forced to raise the demand of separate administration today. A number of tribal areas in northeast have autonomous district or regional councils. A similar demand is being raised by people of Ladakh now realizing that taking away Articles 370 and 35A of the Constitution meant for Jammu and Kashmir opens up possibility of exploitation of natural resources of Ladakh by outsiders.
Unless a solution is found soon, Manipur will continue to bleed. Fresh violence has erupted in Jiribam district bordering Assam in which both communities have suffered. The situation has become so dire that people have taken law into their hands. Kuki homes traditionally have arms as they are used to hunting. Meiteis have looted the police armoury. Kashmir, according to some estimates, has about 300 militants who may have hundreds of arms. But Manipur has close to 7,000 arms in the hands of people at present. When a Kuki village is about to be attacked by Meitei mob and a request is sent to police or para-military or army for help, usually the security agencies don’t intervene. They advise the people to defend themselves. The state and the union governments have allowed things to deteriorate and slide into a ‘tribal’ age where, literally, every Kuki or Meitei village or locality have armed volunteers to defend them. State has no control over this anarchy. One incident of violence can escalate things as was seen in Jiribam. An advance security convoy of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh was ambushed by militants. Recently elected Member of Parliament from Inner Manipur, Bimal Akoijam, has raised the question as to why are security forces not providing security to ordinary people? Why are people left to fend for themselves? In an interview after the loss of two seats in Lok Sabha N. Biren Singh has blamed outsiders for the state of lawlessness. But this cannot be an excuse. Outsiders have not defeated BJP in the recent elections. Locals, of all communities, are thoroughly disillusioned. If the government cannot protect its people then it must resign and give a chance to new set of people.
In the long term we need to think of innovative solutions to the complex problem of Manipur. The only manner in which Naga and Kuki communities can be assured of autonomous administrations as well as Meiteis of territorial integrity remaining intact is to think of overlapping areas of administration. A Kuki autonomous area and a Naga autonomous area may share common geographical areas with Manipur. The Naga area could also be part of the idea of Greater Nagalim at the same time. Sooner or later, the demand of NSCN (IM) will also have to be addressed. The idea is not outlandish as even today we’ve separate administrations of the same area by Union government, State government and local bodies. The Panchyati Raj itself has three tiers. If we can have different administrations functioning in the same geographical area with their separate jurisdictions, why can’t the same concept be applied to solve the problem of different communities of Manipur. A day might come, when the concept of nationalism is not so rigid, when parts of Myanmar may also be part of Greater Nagalim, as initially envisioned by Naga leaders and parts of it could join the Kuki-Zo-Chin common area which may include Mizoram as well. In the form of ‘Condomiums’ we have the idea of joint governance of sovereign areas, for example, Andorra shares its head of state between France and Spain. Narendra Modi’s government has signed a Framework Agreement with NSCN(IM) in 2015 which mentions the idea of ‘shared sovereignty.’ Such solutions to disputed territories are the only hope for humankind if we have to end the cycle of violence and politics of hegemony by various groups.
By Sandeep Pandey
General Secretary, Socialist Party (India)
A-893, Indira Nagar, Lucnkow-226016
Phone: 91 522 2355978, 3564437
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Socialist Party (India)
Website: spi.org.in.
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Pukhrambam Lamjingba Khuman
Pukhrambam Lamjingba Khuman
Pukhrambam Lamjingba Khuman
Pukhrambam Lamjingba Khuman
Pukhrambam Lamjingba Khuman
Pukhrambam Lamjingba Khuman
Govt sponsored violence, says Gaikhangam
Source:Sangai Express(Newspaper)
Imphal,22june:Senior Congress leader Gaikhangam has accused the Government of sponsoring the violence in Manipur which has been going on since May 3 last year.
He also said that it would be very wrong for the Government to treat the people of Manipur like some sort of insects.
Speaking to a group of media persons at his residence at Mantripukhri today, Gaikhangam, the former Deputy Chief Minister and member of Congress Working Committee (CWC), continued that the violence in Manipur is State sponsored and controlling it would be very simple if the Government is committed.
To a query, he elaborated that Manipur is a very small State and tension is high between the two warring communities at only some areas so resolving the crisis would take only a week or two if the Government shows some seriousness.
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The violence should be controlled first and the solution can come later, Gaikha- ngam advised.
He went on to state that the Government could have averted the violence in the first place.
Even if the violence broke out due to lapses in the Government machinery, it still could have been controlled within a time frame, the Congress leader said.
Saying that the Centre and the State Government need to put in maximum efforts to stop the bloodshed first, Gaikhangam added that no one would dare to resort to violence if the Government takes actions against every scoundrel.
Dialogue can take place when there are no more cases of violence, he further advised.
Saying that the Government has miserably failed to resolve the crisis, the Congress leader claimed that the Government hasn't taken up any sincere initiative to restore normalcy.
He also accused the Central Government of not put- ting in any sincere effort to end the conflict.
While advising the State Government to exercise its power and work out a solution to the ongoing crisis, Gaikhangam added that Chief Minister N Biren Singh should not remain silent over the Centre conducting a review meeting on Manipur in his absence .
The Congress leader further said that the State Government should not try to fool the people by giving random excuses over the Centre not inviting the Chief Minister to the meeting.
The meeting was a high level meeting and it was chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, he said.
He further stated that the Chief Minister should have stood against the convening of the meeting in his absence by even threatening to resign from his post and send a message to the Central leadership.
Discussing Manipur in a high level meeting without the Chief Minister was absurd, Gaikhangam added.
When asked about the situation in Jiribam, the Congress leader responded that the armed Kuki miscreants cannot do anything if the Chief Minister takes up some bold actions.
He continued that Jiribam is a small district and the lives and properties of the people will be secured if the Government sends some 200-300 State security forces in the border district and let them take up concrete security measures.
Saying that the State forces have grown in numbers with the figure standing at around 40,000 now, Gaikhangam added that over 70,000 Central security forces are also deployed in the State.
It would be very wrong for the Government to treat the people like some sorts of insect, he said while asking who is in charge of Manipur.
The State Government, however, has undeniably collapsed, he said.
Saying that what people want is restoration of normalcy in the State, the Congress leader asked the Government to exercise its authority and do the needful.
The Government should not be a mere spectator to the violence, he added.
Further stating that the Congress winning both the Inner and Outer seats in the recent Lok Sabha elections is a clear indication of people losing faith in the Government, Gaikhangam said it is the people who hold immense power in a democratic Nation.
He said that they have requested AICC leaders to give more time to speak to Dr Bimol Akoijam and Alfred K Arthur in the upcoming Parliament session.
CommentPukhrambam Lamjingba Khuman
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, June 22 2024: After Kamjong, illegal immigrants from Myanmar have outnum-bered local residents at several Maring villages of Tengnoupal and Moreh sub-division.
The Maring Students' Union (MSU), while expressing heartfelt sympathy towards the plight of Myanmar Nationals, has asserted that the massive inflow of these individuals following the military coup in 2021 and subsequent political upheaval in Myanmar has created unbearable hardships and insecurity for the native residents.
The Myanmar Nationals being sheltered in the six Maring Naga villages (Sai-bol, Moirengthel, Chanring- phai, Lamlong Khunou, Choktong and Satang), numbering about 1,428 (only those whose biometrics have been captured), have outnumbered the local residents, which is of great concern, MSU said.
Monitoring their activities has become a significant challenge as the concerned authorities cannot regularly conduct verification exercises amidst the fluctuating number of inmates, the Maring student body added.
The local people are appalled by the massive militarization in the Maring area and the belligerent attitude of the Indian armed forces operating there, the MSU said.
The halting of business commuters by Assam Rifles stationed at Sita presents a significant challenge to their right to live with dignity and economic well-being.
This interruption not only hampers their ability to earn a livelihood but also imposes undue stress and uncertainty on their daily lives, the student body also said.
The Assam Rifles' rigorous and intrusive checks on local roads, coupled with their negligence in securing the borders undermine the purpose of their presence, it alleged.
Ensuring the smooth passage of commuters is essential to uphold their fundamental rights and foster a stable economic environment.
The attitude of the Indian military personnel is highly questionable, it further added.
The MSU also demanded an end to intimidation of village leaders and dissemi- nation of misleading reports, particularly those unjustly targeting the Rilram Area Maring Organisation (RAMO) .
The MSU has also reaffirmed its unwavering support for the non-cooperation movement declared by the Naga Students' Federation (NSF), denouncing any form of cooperation with the Indian armed forces.
While paying "deepest" homage to the victims, the student body recalled the historical incidents of brutality, including the infamous Operation Bluebird of 1987 at Oinam and surrounding villages, the brutal assault and murder of Eli Rose of Ngaprum village, and the tragic Oting incident of December 2021 .
The implementation and recent extension of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA-1958) on April 1, 2024, for another six months have exacerbated these issues, fostering a culture of impunity and leading to numerous human rights violations, the Maring student body said.
It then appealed to the Government of India to repeal AFSPA.
It also appealed to the international community to support "our quest for peace, justice, and human dignity.
Pukhrambam Lamjingba Khuman
Ima Keithel committee to stir against SA demand
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, June 22 2024: Khwairamband Ima Keithel Joint Co-ordinating Committee for Peace has informed that mothers of Khwairamband Keithel will launch protest against the separate administration demand of Kukis on June 24, i.e the day on which the Indian Parliament session will start.
Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club, here, on Saturday, Khwairamband Ima Keithel Joint Co-ordinating Committee co-convenor Huirem Binodini welcomed the new government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and its assurance of ending the present conflict at the earliest.
Expressing optimism that the new government will fulfil its assurance of ending the conflict, she said that both the central and state governments have the responsibility for restoration of peace and normalcy in the conflict-ridden land.
Demanding discussion of Manipur issue during the Parliament session which will begin on June 24, Binodini conveyed that resolutions have been adopted to extend all possible help to the people affected by the conflict in Jiribam.
The mothers of Khwairamband Keithel are planning to visit Jiribam.
So, she urged shops in Keithel area to help them in this initiative.
Demanding punishment of those attacking the people, Binodini appealed against conducting operation and arresting the village volunteers who are only trying to defend their villages from being attacked by armed militants.
She said that the government should resolve the conflict in Manipur at the earliest.
