In the labyrinthine conundrum of Manipur’s ethnic turmoil, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju declared negotiations as the sole conduit to reinstate tranquility. The government’s forthcoming endeavor, under the aegis of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is geared towards restoring equilibrium in the strife-ridden state.
Rijiju attributed the ongoing discord between the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur to a directive from the Manipur High Court advocating Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the Meiteis. The ramifications of this legal decision have manifested in a tragic toll of at least 219 lives within the tumultuous region.
Highlighting the intricacy of the issue, Rijiju elucidated that Manipur’s predicament transcends a mere confrontation against the BJP-led central government. Instead, it encapsulates a clash of ethnicities, predominantly the Meiteis and the Kukis.
“If one endeavors to facilitate tranquility in Manipur, the initial entreaty should be directed towards both the Meiteis and Kukis, urging them to eschew weaponry. Armed conflict is an incongruous path to resolution. The panacea lies in diplomatic dialogues, fostering an atmosphere of peace and normalcy. This constitutes the imminent phase of our initiatives for Manipur’s developmental resurgence,” conveyed Rijiju in a video discourse with PTI.
The Minister of Earth Sciences underscored the government’s persistent efforts to reinstate peace, emphasizing Prime Minister Modi’s impassioned plea for serenity, resonating from the ramparts of the Red Fort and resonating within the hallowed halls of Parliament.
“In essence, this year’s Independence Day oration commenced with an appeal to Manipur, asserting the solidarity of the entire nation. Despite such overtures, the opposition persists in inflaming this predicament,” he lamented.
Rijiju, originating from Arunachal Pradesh, asserted that advocates of peace in Manipur must unequivocally advocate for the cessation of hostilities and encourage dialogue between the warring factions as the only viable resolution.
“Home Minister Amit Shah sojourned there for four days, our Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai spent 22 days, alongside numerous officials. Yet, the crux of the matter persists,” he remarked.
Assigning culpability for the ongoing ethnic strife to the high court’s directive on granting ST status to the Meiteis, Rijiju pointed out the unique nature of the order, compelling the government to bestow this status within three months.
“Wasn’t that a rather unconventional directive from the high court? The determination of tribal or non-tribal status is the government’s prerogative, a matter of policy. When the high court mandated the conferment of ST status within three months, a natural backlash ensued. The clashes ensued as a consequence. Anyone attributing the clashes in Manipur to the central government can be deemed either naive or exceedingly unfortunate in their assertions,” opined Rijiju.
Expressing his dismay over the situation in Manipur, Rijiju contended that despite the Modi government’s extensive efforts over the past decade, a single incident has become a focal point for the Congress, communists, and other factions, squandering an entire generation.
On March 27, 2023, the Manipur High Court instructed the state government to contemplate the inclusion of Meiteis in the roster of STs. This directive ignited the ongoing ethnic strife between the Meiteis and the tribal Kuki community in the state.
However, on February 21, 2024, the high court amended its order, expunging paragraph 17(iii) that mandated the Manipur government’s consideration of including Meiteis in the ST list.
The eruption of ethnic violence in Manipur on May 3, 2023, stemmed from a tribal solidarity march protesting the Meitei community’s bid for ST status in the hill districts.
Since then, a grim tally of 219 lives has been claimed by the violence. While some Kuki factions advocate for a separate administration or detachment from the Manipur government, Meitei groups vehemently oppose such notions, cautioning legislators against any such endeavors.
Meiteis, constituting approximately 53% of Manipur’s population, predominantly inhabit the Imphal valley. Contrastingly, tribals, including Nagas and Kukis, make up 40% and primarily reside in the hill districts.