Why is India Burning?

Manipur Violence
Explained
The Geography
 Majority Meitei community
 Manipur is bounded by Assam, Nagaland,
Mizoram, and Myanmar. Most of Manipur is
surrounded by hills, with a fertile, saucer-
shaped valley in the middle.

 It has 10 hill districts inhabited by almost

35 tribes. About 40% of the state’s 28 lakh
people (2011 census) live in the hills.

 Majority Meitei community lives in the

densely populated valley: The state’s
majority Meitei community, including the
Meitei Pangal (Muslim), live in the smaller
but densely populated valley, considered the
power centre from a time when Meitei kings
ruled the region.
 Tribal Kukis and Nagas

 In March 2023, the flashpoint came with the HC order: There

are 34 recognised Scheduled Tribes in the state, broadly
under Naga and Kukichin or Kuki tribal groups, which also
include Mizos Manipur had nine districts until 7 more were
carved out in 2016.

 The tribal groups alleged that the new districts would

encroach their ancestral land, but the government denied the
charge.

 The Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee of Manipur (STDCM)

had been demanding inclusion of Meiteis in the ST list since
2013, a move opposed by tribal groups.
 The Flash Point
 The Meities say the ST status is not for
reservation in jobs and education, but it is more
about protecting the ancestral lands, culture and
identity of the Meitei people threatened by
illegal immigrants from Myanmar and non-
native settlers.

 Flashpoint came with the HC asking the state

govt to act towards inclusion of Meitei in ST
list: In March 2023, Manipur high court directed
the state government to submit requisite
documents for inclusion of Meitei in the ST list
within four weeks.

 This triggered the current unrest.

 All Tribal Students Union of Manipur called a protest: On May 2, All Tribal Students
Union of Manipur (ATSUM) opposed the demand of the Meities and called a protest in
several hill districts on May 3, which triggered clashes & violence

 The state had seen confrontations between Meitei and tribal groups in the past over
various issues
 Historical Issues

The tribal communities have recently opposed a survey of reserved/protected forests,

wetlands, and eviction of villages in the tribal areas by the state government.

Reservations of Kukis and Nagas about Land Protection

Crackdown on poppy crop