Manipur: What triggered ethnic violence in the North-Eastern state?

India’s parliament faced continuous disruption and now women’s groups are planning nationwide protests following a sexual assault and indecent parade of women during the beginning of ethnic clashes in Manipur state.

The violence, which erupted on May 3, has so far resulted in at least 125 fatalities and displaced over 40,000 individuals in Manipur. The clashes originated when the Kuki tribal group clashed with the Meitei, the ethnic majority, over the distribution of economic benefits and quotas meant for the tribes.

Despite a heavy presence of Central police forces in the state  with a population of 32 lakhs,  sporadic violence and killings have kept the state tense. Recently, videos showing women being molested in May emerged, sparking national outrage and women organisations hitting the streets in protests all over the country.

The root cause of the Manipur violence can be traced back to May 3 when the Kuki and Naga tribes, classified as Scheduled Tribes or India’s most disadvantaged groups, protested against the potential extension of reservations and other benefits to the dominant Meiteis in the state. The Meiteis, who constitute half of Manipur’s population, had been seeking special benefits for over a decade.

Manipur High Court verdict

Their cause gained momentum in April after the Manipur High Court endorsed their demand, setting a mid-May deadline for the government to consider it. Granting limited affirmative action quotas to the Meiteis would allow them to access educational and government job opportunities reserved for Kukis and Nagas.

The Meiteis have historically inhabited Manipur’s prosperous valley region, comprising only 10% of the state’s area, giving them better access to employment and economic opportunities. On the other hand, the Nagas and Kukis reside in poorly developed hills, leading to a development imbalance and fueling contention and rivalry between the ethnic groups.

Triggers for the violence include unrelated events that exposed old fault lines. The 2021 coup in Myanmar forced thousands of refugees into Manipur, creating concerns among Meiteis that they would be outnumbered by the Kuki’s ethnic ties with Myanmar’s Chin tribe.

Eviction of tribals

Moreover, in February, the state government initiated a drive to evict tribal communities from forests in the hills, claiming encroachment on government land. This sparked anger among the tribal groups, who felt forced out of their homes.

Despite the initial suppression of violence in mid-May, sporadic reprisal attacks continued shortly after. Both the Meiteis and Kukis possess arms, including automatic weapons sourced either from the state police or from across the border in Myanmar. Efforts by New Delhi to control armed groups operating from across the border through talks with senior Myanmar leaders have yet to yield results.

Further, the lack of peace stems from the refusal of Kuki and Meitei groups to join a peace panel formed by the federal government, with disagreements over the panel’s composition. Kukis have also accused Chief Minister Biren Singh, a Meitei from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, of  inaction, demanding his removal, but the CM has denied these accusations.

(With inputs from agencies)