Manipur violence: What provoked ethnic clashes? What govt saying? EXPLAINER
The remote state of Manipur in northeast India has been marred by a series of armed clashes since May, resulting in a tragic toll of at least 120 fatalities. The region has a history of ethnic conflicts, and the recent violence has further escalated tensions and led to a loss of lives. The situation underscores the challenges and complexities that the state and its inhabitants face, as efforts continue to address the underlying issues and restore peace to the region.
To quell the escalating violence, authorities took the step of deploying soldiers from other parts of the country to Manipur. Despite these efforts, the situation has not fully stabilized, and as a result, a curfew and an internet shutdown have been enforced across much of the state for several months. These measures have been implemented to maintain order, restrict movement, and prevent the spread of misinformation or further incitement. However, they also impact the daily lives of the local population and highlight the gravity of the situation.
The unrest in Manipur has been marked by significant incidents, including the theft of thousands of firearms during the initial phase of the turmoil. This has further escalated tensions as militia groups from various ethnic backgrounds within the state have intensified their preparations for a prolonged conflict.
The situation has also gained political attention on a national level. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently facing a no-confidence motion in the parliament due to his government’s response to the violence in Manipur. The opposition has accused him of not taking adequate action to address the ongoing unrest and its underlying causes. This political dimension underscores the gravity of the situation and the broader implications it has on the region and the country as a whole.
The recent outbreak of violence in Manipur has its roots in longstanding animosities between the state’s Meitei majority and the Kuki ethnic group, which is one of the various tribal communities constituting around 16 percent of Manipur’s population. The conflict has historical and ethnic dimensions that have contributed to tensions between these two groups. These underlying tensions have periodically flared up into violent clashes and confrontations, leading to the current situation of unrest and armed clashes in the state.
The recent eruption of violence in Manipur finds its origins in longstanding tensions between the dominant Meitei community and the Kuki ethnic group, representing around 16 percent of the state’s population. This conflict, rooted in historical and ethnic complexities, has flared up periodically, resulting in the current cycle of violence. The longstanding grievances, land disputes, and power struggles between these groups have contributed to a volatile situation.
The clashes led to widespread unrest, prompting the deployment of additional troops and imposing curfews and internet shutdowns to quell the turmoil. As the violence persists, the central government faces criticism for its response, with opposition parties pushing for a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Narendra Modi over perceived inaction.
The conflict between Manipur’s Meitei and Kuki communities is rooted in their distinct religious and geographical differences. The Meitei, primarily Hindus, are concentrated in urban areas, while the Kuki, predominantly Christians, inhabit remote hill settlements. The historical tensions between them have been fueled by competition for land and government jobs.
Critics allege that local leaders have exploited these ethnic divisions for political gains. The situation escalated in May when discussions arose about granting the Meitei the status of a “Scheduled Tribe,” akin to the existing status of the Kuki. This move aimed to provide affirmative action benefits, including reserved quotas for government employment and college admissions. However, Kuki groups feared this could diminish their own entitlements, triggering protests that soon escalated into violent clashes.
The protests took a violent turn as demonstrators set ablaze vehicles and structures. In response, Meitei groups, armed with firearms and petrol containers, launched attacks on Kuki settlements situated in the hills.
Following the initial clashes, mobs ransacked police stations, resulting in the theft of approximately 3,000 weapons and 600,000 rounds of ammunition, as reported by the Press Trust of India news agency.
The conflict has led to a division along ethnic lines, with conflicting Meitei and Kuki militias establishing blockades to prevent the entry of individuals from the opposing community.
The clashes have resulted in a confirmed death toll of at least 120 individuals, although many residents of Manipur suspect that the actual number could be higher.
Approximately 50,000 individuals have been compelled to leave their homes, seeking refuge in relief centers or neighboring states.
Retaliatory actions have led to the arson of residences and places of worship. As of the end of July, a report by India Today news magazine indicated that more than 220 churches and 17 Hindu temples had been demolished as a result of the ongoing conflict.
Manipur, located in northeast India and surrounded by Bangladesh, China, and Myanmar, has a history of unrest and ethnic tensions, as do six other states in the region.
In the late 1970s, an armed rebellion erupted against Indian governance by Manipuri militants, who argued that the region had been marginalized by New Delhi. This rebellion led to frequent armed assaults on government establishments. At the height of the insurgency, over 20 militant groups were active in Manipur, resulting in more than 10,000 fatalities over two decades until 2010.
However, relative calm has prevailed since the last significant rebel attack in 2015, which claimed the lives of around 20 soldiers in an ambush on a military convoy. Despite this, Manipur remains susceptible to separatist sentiments and clashes among its diverse ethnic groups.
Despite the deployment of troops from outside the state and the implementation of a curfew and internet shutdown, sporadic violence has persisted in Manipur. Indian Home Minister Amit Shah visited the state’s capital in June, urging the return of weapons taken from police stations during the initial unrest.
He also pledged a “fair investigation” into the ongoing violence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi faced criticism from opponents for his delayed response, not addressing the conflict for over two months after the clashes erupted. The government’s efforts have aimed at quelling the unrest and restoring order, but tensions remain high, and the violence has raised questions about the efficacy of these measures in fully resolving the deeply-rooted ethnic animosities in Manipur.
In July, Prime Minister Narendra Modi finally addressed the conflict after a disturbing video emerged, depicting a mob parading two Kuki women naked. He expressed deep distress and anger over the incident. Human Rights Watch has accused the state authorities in Manipur, which are led by Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), of exacerbating the conflict with divisive policies that promote Hindu majoritarianism. This accusation reflects concerns about the role of such policies in fueling ethnic tensions and violence.
As the situation escalated, India’s parliament has initiated a debate on a no-confidence motion against Modi’s government for its perceived inability to effectively manage the conflict. However, it is widely expected that Modi will survive the vote given his party’s majority in the parliament. The conflict in Manipur highlights broader issues of ethnic divisions, governance, and the role of political dynamics in the region, demanding a comprehensive approach to address the root causes and ensure lasting peace.
