Violent clashes erupted in Manipur during a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ organized by the All Tribal Students’ Union of Manipur (ATSUM) on May 3. The march was called to oppose the demand that the Meitei community be included in the list of the state’s Scheduled Tribes (ST), which received a boost from an order of the Manipur High Court last month. The court’s order, released on April 14, has sparked historical tensions between the valley-dwelling Meitei community and the state’s hill tribes. The Army and Assam Rifles carried out flag marches in the areas hit by the violence.
What are the major communities residing in Manipur?
The Meiteis are the largest community in Manipur, and there are 34 recognized tribes, which are broadly classified as ‘Any Kuki Tribes’ and ‘Any Naga Tribes’. The central valley in the state accounts for about 10% of the landmass of Manipur and is home primarily to the Meitei and Meitei Pangals who constitute roughly 64.6% of the state’s population. The remaining 90% of the state’s geographical area comprises hills surrounding the valley, which are home to the recognized tribes, making up about 35.4% of the state’s population.
The Meitei community has been demanding ST status since 2012, led by the Scheduled Tribes Demand Committee of Manipur (STDCM). The recent plea before the Manipur High Court was by the Meetei (Meitei) Tribe Union, seeking directions to the Manipur government to submit a recommendation to the Union Ministry for Tribal Affairs for the inclusion of the Meetei/Meitei community in the list of Scheduled Tribes in the Indian Constitution, as a “tribe among tribes in Manipur”.
Why has the demand for ST status for the Meitei community sparked violence?
The demand has been opposed by groups representing the state’s tribal communities, who view it as a threat to their own ST status and privileges. The court’s order has exacerbated long-standing tensions between the Meitei community and the hill tribes, who feel that the Meiteis already enjoy more political and economic power. The clashes during the ATSUM’s ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ are a manifestation of these tensions.
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It remains to be seen how the Manipur government will respond to the court’s order and the ongoing demand for ST status for the Meitei community, and whether it can find a way to address the concerns of both the Meiteis and the hill tribes. In the meantime, the violence in Manipur underscores the need for dialogue and reconciliation between the state’s different communities to find a peaceful and equitable solution to this issue.
Mary Kom, the Olympic medal-winning boxer and Rajya Sabha MP, appealed for calm Thursday amid widespread violence in her home state of Manipur amid protests against the inclusion of the majority Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) category. Speaking to news agency ANI, she said: "The situation in Manipur makes me unhappy... earlier I could not even imagine this much violence. Since last night it has become more frightening."
Mary Kom appealed to the state and centre to work together, saying, "I ask the state and central governments to take steps and (to) maintain peace and security... this is my request." The boxer also urged all communities to live peacefully, saying, "I respect all people. Why can't all of us live in peace... this is my question. If we live in peace it will be better for all of us. It is also unfortunate some people have lost family members in this violence."
As of now, the army and paramilitary forces have been deployed to restore law-and-order and ensure the safety of all residents.