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Meitei Kuki Crisis 2023

On 3rd May 2023, ethnic violence erupted in India's north-eastern state of Manipur triggered by the Tribal Solidarity March organised by ATSUM opposing Meitei's inclusion in the ST category between the Meitei people, a majority that lives in the Imphal Valley, and the Kuki tribal community from the surrounding hills. As of 29th July, 181 people have been killed in the violence and more than 300 wounded and approximately 54,488 displaced.

On 14th April 2023, the High Court ordered, on a writ petition by the Meitei Tribe Union, that the state government recommend Scheduled Tribe status for the valley-based Meitei community. In response to the High Court order, the All Tribal Students' Union Manipur called for a Tribal Solidarity March opposing Meitei's inclusion in the ST category. Unfortunately, the protest escalated into violence, with incidents of arson, vandalism, and confrontations. Several Meitei properties were burnt in Churachandpur, Motbung, and Moreh, resulting in over a dozen injuries. ATSUM claimed that the situation turned chaotic when unknown miscreants set fire to the foot of the 'Anglo-Kuki War' gate in Leisang village. The violence further spread to Torbung, Bangla, Kangvai, and Phougakchao Ikhai, located along the adjoining areas of Churachandpur and Bishnupur districts. Houses, shops, and vehicles were torched in these regions. Also reports about a clash between people who had imposed a counter-blockade at Torbung and those returning from the rally started circulating.

On the other side at Kangpokpi, at least 40 houses were reduced to ashes in Motbung, Kangpokpi district, after ATSUM's rally around 7 pm. In a separate incident, the Forest office at Kangpokpi was set ablaze around 8 pm. However, it's worth noting that the ATSUM's "Solidarity March," participated by over 5000 people, ended peacefully in Kangpokpi district.

The rallyists passionately chanted the slogan, "Be Bold and Courageous." Additionally, before the rally, banners opposing ST status for the Meiteis were displayed, along with pro-tribal slogans such as "No protection for our land if Meiteis become ST," "Tribals of Manipur, unite," "How can a community with two-thirds seats in the Assembly demand ST status?" "Stop your divide and rule policy," "Respect tribal land rights & chief rights," "Respect the customary rights of the tribals," "Respect the Constitution of India," and "We demand justice and equal treatment," among others. Some banners also read 'No Sixth Schedule, No Rest'. The Beat Offices of the Forest Department located at Bungmual, Singngat, Muallum, Mualtam, and Saikot were also set afire or ransacked by unknown miscreants.

In other parts of Imphal and Greater Imphal areas, people took to the streets and set tires on fire in an apparent protest against the torching of houses of several Meitei families in Churachandpur following the ATSUM Solidarity Rally. According to reports, the protesters raised slogans against the violence that affected certain hill districts. They also burnt tires and knocked down electric poles to draw attention to the situation.

The government's efforts to bring the situation under control have been unsuccessful, despite implementing drastic measures. The state government resorted to shutting down the internet, imposing a curfew, and granting district magistrates the authority to issue "shoot-on-sight orders" in "extreme cases." The current situation in Manipur remains tense, with a risk of further violence, particularly in the periphery areas. Farmers are still unable to work in their fields, living in constant fear of attacks from armed miscreants. According to farmers, Kuki militants have constructed bunkers and are waiting for an opportune moment to strike, creating a race against time for rice farmers to commence cultivation in some areas. The Kuki militants are breaking the Soo rules and are heavily involved in continuous attacks to the Meitei civilians. On Friday, May 10, the security advisor to the Manipur government, Kuldeep Singh, reported that a shortfall in arms and ammunition was detected in at least two designated camps of Kuki militants. Also the former army chief General MM Naravane, on July 28, hinted at the involvement of foreign agencies behind the ongoing Manipur crisis. The Kuki militants are suspected to be armed with sophisticated weapons, and there are suspicions about the source of their sponsorship.

According to several organizations, there have been allegations of the AR siding with the Kuki community. A panel led by a retired Chief Justice will investigate the violence, and a peace committee will be established under the Governor, along with security advisor Kuldeep Singh and members of civil society.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will investigate six cases related to the conspiracy behind the violence, ensuring a neutral investigation to uncover the root causes.