Meiteis, Nagas and Kukis: The 4Ds of Disconnection, Drugs, Demography and Diversions in Manipur

A partisan reflection on the ongoing ethnic conflict between the Meiteis and Kukis in Manipur  

Manipur has been in the news again, and as always, for all the wrong reasons. The ongoing crisis is more of an existential crisis for the Meiteis and Kuki people. It is also equally true to say that it is a textbook example of an ethnic conflict between the Meiteis, who predominantly live in the oval-shaped Imphal valley, and the Kukis who are ‘from’ and concentrated in Churachandpur and Pherzawl districts and elsewhere. This epicentre district is around 60 km from the capital Imphal valley.

In numbers (as of 12 May 2023):

Number of casualties ~54 to 60 civilians
Displaced people 35,000
Number of homes destroyed 1,700
Looted 1,041 weapons and 7,460 ammunition
Deployed companies of CAPF 50
Columns of army and Assam Rifles 105

First thing first. Let me state some partisan points that are raised by the Imphal valley people. The Kukis, or the ethnic Chin-Kuki-Mizo-Zomi group, to be precise, have been up in arms against the Manipur government which they claim is controlled and dominated by the Meiteis. The government has been ‘destroying’ their homes and churches by justifying these acts with enforcing legal provisions related to forest protection. This is paradoxical but it is just the beginning. Incidentally, the government also claims the Kukis are occupying the hilly areas illegally. For outsiders, the whole issue will be anything but confusing if you are unaware about the dynamics of identity politics in a state where there are 33 officially recognised ethnic groups, and their antagonism for varying reasons as well as the additional tangible crises of ethnonationalism,drugs and demography.

In an interview with Karan Thapar (The Wire, 9 May), BJP MLA Paolienlal Haokip, from Saikot assembly constituency (Churachandpur) went to the extent of saying that Meitei revivalism is the root of all the problems. That might be an allegation but we know that nobody is squeaky clean in Manipur and that everyone survives on the motto of ethnic hegemony.   

The 3 May rally was just a trigger while ethnic tensions have been brewing for a long time. (Photo: Al Jazeera/Reuters)

Disconnection

This is on two levels: (i) The natives have been articulating that every government of India does not acknowledge its existence and their apathy and neglect are prominently visible in the daily lives. The sense of alienation remains at record high. Even after more than 50 days of conflict, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not uttered a single word, as of June 25; and (ii) The Kukis also have a similar grievance against the Meitei-dominated state government which is based in the valley

Nobody can deny the fact that collective growth depends on negotiating and accommodating the ‘other’. India is undergoing this pessimism albeit intentionally by vilifying the Muslims.  This is even truer in a multi-ethnic state like Manipur where there are always overlapping aspirations of different ethnic groups, often in the worst ways possible. Presently, the onus lies on those people in the governance and administration, and ‘legal’ constitutional instruments can offer a platform to help play a critical proactive role in resolving the crisis. The authority, unfortunately, is only bent towards making the space just perfect for exclusionary identity politics, for how unintentional it is and whatever rationale it has. The imperative is not on their competency now, while the cacophonic sound from all the directions is that some of these representatives are ‘engineering’ these crises for their vested interests.

If we follow the latest happenings, it exploded with a tribal solidarity rally organised by an apex students’ organisation on 3 May in protest against the High Court of Manipur’s move to concede a demand for scheduled tribe status for the dominant Meiteis. All the Meiteis do not even endorse this demand for affirmative action under the Indian Constitution. Still, a few things need to be reiterated here:

• People see the whole issue as a confrontation between the Meiteis and the tribals or sometimes as a fight between the Meitei Hindus and Kuki Christians. However, nothing can be further from the truth.
• Rather it is a fight for access to scarce land and other resources just between the Meiteis and the Kukis, at least for now, these are the two groups; and
• The rally was just a trigger while ethnic tensions have been brewing for a long time. For that matter, the severity of the ongoing crisis points to only  one thing: it has been planned and premeditated, else it could not have come out of a vacuum with such vigour and abomination. You can simply check the contents in the social and Indian media in the last few days to understand the uninspiring narratives.

For the sake of argument, let’s consider the Kukis are reasonable and their demands valid. Definitely their share of beneficial access will be reduced but they are indulging in wishful thinking if they consider the Meitei’s demand will affect their land-ownership privileges. Just to clarify and repeat, not all the Meiteis are demanding for ST status. Truth be told, only their elected representatives have been using all sorts of troubles to fan the flames of anti-Imphal sentiments, while these leaders are ‘gentrified’ in the valley and all across mainland India. Perhaps, the leaders know very well that it is not a fight for access and privileges. Violence and differing opinions apart, dialogue and not disconnection is still the key to peaceful coexistence if ever the people of Manipur want it. As a general rule, incidentally, it is always good for a democracy when the citizens are critical of the government regardless of their party affiliations.

Meanwhile, the ethnic friction has always been a part and parcel of regional politics in this part of the world. A former Indian intelligence officer had asserted that it is the easiest in Manipur to find the fault lines among the people because of all the social and political chasms as early as in the Sixties (PS: Refer to Open Secrets: India’s Intelligence Unveiled by Maloy Krishna Dhar). Coming back, prior to the present conflict and unabating as this has always been, there was a similar confrontation eight years ago. These news reports can help provide a perspective:

Manipur district burns as Assembly clears 3 Bills
1 Sep 2015, The Pioneer
A mob set on fire the houses of five Congress legislators, including the State’s Health Minister and Congress’ Lok Sabha MP from Manipur Outer constituency at Churachandpur district in protest against the Manipur legislative Assembly’s decision to pass three controversial Bills on Monday. The Manipur Assembly on Monday unanimously passed the Protection of Manipur People Bill, 2015, the Manipur land Revenue and land Reforms (Seventh Amendment) Bill, 2015 and the Manipur Shops and Establishments (Second Amendment) Bill, 2015. The Bills were introduced in the House on August 28.

Manipur: Over 600 days long agitation against anti-tribal bills comes to an end
11 May 17, Economic  Times
Manipur lifted the more than 130 days economic blockade imposed by the United Naga Council, the over 600 days long agitation against the three controversial anti-tribal also came to end after the Chief Minister N Biren and the Joint Action Committee against Anti Tribal Bills signed a memorandum of understanding at Mizo People Convention Office at Churachandpur in south Manipur.

(13 May 17, Scroll.in)
Churachandpur, which lies on the edge of the Manipur hills, erupted in September 2015 after the state government, then led by the Congress’s Okram Ibobi Singh, rushed through three bills that would be described as “anti-tribal”. People from the state’s hill tribes took to the streets and in the violence that ensued, nine young men were killed.

Drugs

The most recent tension started when the N Biren government launched its war on drug campaign. The Kuki-dominated areas in Manipur border Myanmar, with a sizable Zo population and which also used to be the heroin hub until the Golden Crescent took over around two decades ago. In other words, at least the plantation and if not production, has shifted to these areas crossing international borders. This has had several implications with even more severe consequences. Both the plantation and production processes are entirely done in Manipur now, with raw materials from the hills and mobile manufacturing units set up along the Lilong-Thoubal route. This lies on the Asian Highway 1 or National Highway 102 (formerly NH 39) in the valley region. From just a convenient international route for smuggling, we have now become one of the ‘business’ hubs in dealing with heroin. In the entire history of drug smuggling, nobody has ever said that an official act is going to be one of the best provisions against drug-smuggling MO.  

As a side note, when Manipur was coerced into the Union of India, there were not enough voices to assert that the geography, history and politics of this region is entirely different from mainland India. It is hardly necessary, for all these times, to let them know about our grievances. This is even worse than the application of, or specifically, inability to govern and administer. Our elected representatives make it even worse by their bootlicking attitudes, for their meaning of existence is determined by how much they can ‘entertain’ and ‘satisfy’ their masters who live in and around New Delhi and how much they can aggrandize. For a four-decade old issue, the authority needs to have at least one method or medium to contain the issue; but it is unfortunately not. Short-term solutions will work only for short terms. Simple as that.

Numbers do speak for themselves. The following is a timeline of news related to the government’s campaign against drugs, particularly in Churachandpur district in the last four months of 2023:

Manipur govt launches massive drive against large-scale illegal poppy cultivation
1 Jan 2023, Economic Times
A total of 703 people including five chiefs of hill villages have been arrested and over 400 acres [of] poppy fields destroyed. In Ukhrul, Senapati, Kangpokpi, Kamjong, Churachandpur and Tengnoupal, poppy cultivation is a major concern.

17 acres of poppy plantations destroyed in Ccpur district
2 Jan 2023, People's Chronicle
Supporting the state government's War on Drugs mission, Teiseng Area Village Chiefs, Churachandpur district in association with civil society and church leaders along with poppy cultivators conducted a drive and destroyed 17 acres of poppy farms along Teising hill ranges on December 30 and 31, 2022. It may be mentioned here that earlier as part of the 'War on Drugs' campaign, some village chiefs from Churachandpur district were arrested for their alleged involvement in poppy cultivation in December last year.

Despite pledges by villagers against poppy plantation and government’s continued war on drugs, the scourge still rampant in Manipur hills
7 Jan 2023, HY News
Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren’s Manipur government has intensified the War on Drugs in the state with more forces joining the campaign in rooting out the drug menace in the state.Chief Minister Nongthombam chaired a meeting with Assam Rifles, NIA, NCB, NAB, Police, and Home Department to discuss issues and strategies to combat the drug menace at the CM’s Secretariat in Imphal on December 29.

30 acres of poppy plantation destroyed in Churachandpur
12 Jan 2023, Imphal Free Press
A combined team of security forces of Churachandpur district on Thursday destroyed 30 acres of poppy plantation at Saheiphai which is located between Tuilelung and Pungpui Village in Churachandpur district.

15-acre poppy cultivation destroyed in Manipur district
18 Jan 2023, The Times of India
Stepping up the state government’s “War on Drugs 2.0” campaign, a joint team of state and central security forces and forest department on Tuesday destroyed 15-acre poppy cultivation along the hill ranges in Kuki-dominated Kangpokpi district.

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren assures to end poppy plantation, drug menace in 2023
20 Jan 2023, India Today
Around 70 acres of poppy-cultivated land in the Saikul area and 96 acres of poppy-planted land in the Churachandpur district has started destroying by sprinkling chemicals through drones. Manipur Chief Minister N Biren on January 20 assured to end the poppy plantation and drug menace in the state within 2023.  

Woman drug peddler arrested with huge quantity of drugs in Churachandpur
3 Feb 2023, Imphal Free Press
A team of Churachandpur police arrested a woman selling illegal drugs and seized 2935 grams of suspected opium, 3700 grams of suspected poppy seeds and around 7 grams of suspected brown sugar from her possession. According to sources, police received a tip-off about a huge quantity of opium being sold at the residence of one Kimneithiem, 43, wife of Soithianlal from Ginkhochin Veng, Churachandpur headquarter at 2 pm on Thursday.

2.21 kg opium & 4.4 kg poppy seeds seized in Manipur, 1 held
17 Mar 2023, The Times of India
Stepping up the state government’s campaign, ‘War on Drugs 2.0’, the Churachandpur  police on Thursday confiscated 2.2 kg opium and 4.4 kg opium (poppy) seeds from a house in the district, police said. One person was arrested in this connnection.

Manipur Police destroyed 4305 acres of illegal poppy cultivation in 2022-23
3 Apr 2023, Morung Express
As part of the Manipur government's 'War Against Drugs' mission, the Manipur Police have seized various drugs worth Rs 136.93 crore and destroyed 4305 acres of illegal poppy cultivation in the 2022-23 fiscal, officials said on Monday.

While this campaign has been a step that the government considers to be one of their best practices, the situation is far from normal. This is referring to the relentless problems of drug plantation/production and addiction. Poppy cultivators and dealers in Churachandpur and the Burmese drug mafias who have found a home and haven in Manipur are not helping the case either. Newspaper reports mention that poppy cultivation in Burma has escalated after the military takeover but that is a different story for now.

Demography

As noted earlier, even for the natives, it is imperative to know the demography of the state to see the big picture. A crisis has started with protests for counter-demands and destruction of poppy cultivation yet this is just the tip. And this is where the problem lies – it is complex as much as multiple issues are involved in the crisis. In simple words, just as the poppy problem is destructive, Manipur has also a severe demographic imbalance and unsurprisingly it is the most acute in this district.

When the entire state saw a population growth rate of 18.7% in the 2011 Census, Churachandpur recorded a rise by nearly 39%. It is speculated that it will rise further with the number of Burmese people of the Chin-Kuki-Mizo ethnicity entering India after the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état. Law enforcement agencies have been picking up groups of these Burmese people from here and there. It is a sheer humanitarian act to provide refuge to people who have come running for their lives but it is unacceptable to many sections of the society that the same ethnic people are overtaxing themselves with the crisis of 2Ps ( poppy and population). In this regard, it is even more ironic that the recent violence has driven so many people out—particularly those who live in foothills and areas that lie adjacent to Meitei and Kuki villages—to take refuge in ad-hoc relief camps,  irrespective of ethnicity as they run for our lives from onslaughts committed by two sides at once. That’s ‘double’ displacement particularly for the Kukis.

For decades, the Meiteis have always been citing the case of the Tripuris (erstwhile Takhels). In their own land, the indigenous Tripuris have become a minority. Back home, with the 111-km long Jiribam–Vangaichungpao–Tupul-Imphal railway line nearing completion, in two years as per government’s record, there are apprehensions that even the largest majority group will be losing their numbers and identity together. We comprised 59% of the total population in 1951 but it has been reduced to 44% as per 2011 Census data. We will see more accurate numbers when the decadal Census report of 2021 is published. (PS: It is expected to be released in October 2023.) 

Manipur has been one of the states which is most vocal about the extrajudicial excessiveness of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in the Northeast. (Photo: Economic Times)

Diversions

Recently, the Meiteis claim that the Kukis are as always playing the victim card. Yet in the last few days, ever since violence and destruction started after the 3 May ‘tribal solidarity’ rally, one of the most recognisable voices is that of the people seeking attention and validation. The ‘people’ means the Manipur public including those from all the ethnicities. Moreover, the so-called national media in India, The Guardian, Al Jazeera, Japan Times, the Independent, BBC, The Washington Post, the South China Morning Post and others have been covering the conflict.  It is as though Manipuris are waiting for miracles and saviours mostly from mainland India and elsewhere. Their inferior complexes and fervent appeal for others to ‘understand’ them and their issues has been crystal clear. In reality, people are occupied with their own problems, from a third-world country such as India to a superpower like Russia. Nobody is a saviour. Never really so. And the reason is simple: not many people like poor folks, not out of spite but more because of the lack of relevance of these literally poor people in their lives.  

Manipur has been one of the states which is most vocal about the extrajudicial excessiveness of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in the Northeast. However, in the wake of the recent clashes, the Union government sent in 50 companies of Central Armed Police Forces and 105 columns of army and Assam Rifles. According to prominent Indian journalist Shekhar Gupta (Cut the Clutter, The Print: Rarest of rare: Modi govt intervenes directly in burning Manipur, controls law & order over own govt), this deployment is one of the rarest of rare cases that the Modi government is intervening into a state directly by invoking Article 355 and controlling the law-and-order crisis from New Delhi. Still, as always, the personnels are on an ostensibly step to control the situation because the tension is today as simmering as in the last two weeks or so.

Since most Manipuris are pragmatic people—or at least that’s how a major chunk of different communities project themselves to be—this process of militarisation is not an issue at all. Whether this is valid or sound is totally a different story. If we take a step back, we can see that India has been quite successful in applying the Kautilyan principles of Sham (reconciliation), Dam (monetary inducement), danda (Force) and Bhed (split) for statecraft, combating insurgency and containing ethnic issues in Northeast India by taking the role of a big brother. The credit also goes to our elected representatives whose vision starts from Kangla, extends all the way to Kanglatongbi and never beyond.

When India is playing a crucial role in one of its hinterlands, the role of the so-called mainstream media is nothing but appalling. The level of errors in their reporting in a place like Manipur is far worse than the fact that the Indian press freedom index has further slipped to 161st position in 2023. In conflict situations, the first thing people need to get rid of are misinformation and disinformation. Even if thousands of people are begging for attention in the ‘mainstream’ media, there is still no light at all at the end of the tunnel. Despite being smothered literally to the ground in the penultimate days of World War II, the Japanese people sprang back to its former glory in no time. It is only incomprehensible that all that many Meiteis want is a Scheduled Tribe status while irritating the people who they argue are not indigenous in the first place.

Next: When, Where, What?

In the last seven decades, the only thing that has remained constant is the fact that this erstwhile kingdom of Manipur has now become a constituent unit in the Union of India. Yet, there is no room for the people to become a productive society if everything from insurgency to ethnicity are tackled for short-term goals. The problems are going to persist because the region is underdeveloped and we lack the political will to make progress. The people must also express gratitude to India that has viewed the region as nothing more than a frontier and just a geopolitically relevant place and nothing more. Experts suggest that for a long-term solution there must be fool-proof peace and reconciliation mechanisms.

For the short term, there are so many steps that we can take up. We are a land of CSOs and militant organisations. If everyone reaches out to each other—instead of pointing fingers at each other—it will be the quickest way to arrive at a situation which is peaceful, civil and amicable. And the sooner the better albeit simultaneously this is easier said than done. Meantime, it is heartening to know that civil society organisations are keeping in touch as claimed by an organisation like the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI). It will be no surprise if Kuki civil society group/s are also doing the same; and it is not mentioned here because of the lack of information. It will also be no surprise if Meitei CSOs are in counterargument with those of the Kukis’.

The many groups who are involved in the conflict must also set a term for reference on which they can sit and discuss the difference of interests and opinions. So far, it has been difficult to imagine that someday we will have the same aspiration and mutual respect. Besides, the most important thing is to develop an organic relationship, something which is natural and mutual and not forced or pursued for the sake of convenience like the COCOMI has done with the United Naga Council against migrants in the state, read the Kukis, in early 2022. Does this prove there are neither friends nor foes in politics?

For now, people from different ethnic groups might have to work to mend the gaps between them. Poppy plantation might be reduced so much as government policies can help check the demographic imbalance. However, the tension between the different groups will remain in Manipur as long as there are limited  resources, even tighter access to these resources, and of course, the ideology of ethnic nationalism that runs strong equally among all the groups.

Breaking News: The conditions on the ground are neither improving or worsening as of 12 May, except for some news reports that one security personnel was killed, and four injured when suspected Kuki militants opened fire at them near Tera Khongfangbi in Bishnupur. The worst affected people from both sides are only those taking refuge in relief camps now.

The ideology of ethnic nationalism runs strong equally among all the groups. (Image: From the convention on the 9th General Assembly of United National Liberation Front, Manipur, The Frontier Manipur)