Why Is Manipur Burning? Who Is Responsible For Manipur Violence?

Manipur state is facing huge violence. The tribal community is demanding high reservations. The government has to impose curfew in the 8 districts of Manipur.

Manipur, a northeastern state in India, has been engulfed in violence due to a tribal agitation over the demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for non-tribal Meiteis, who dominate the Imphal Valley. 

The Meiteis, who make up 53% of the state’s population, claim they are facing problems due to large-scale illegal immigration by Myanmarese and Bangladeshis.

However, the hill districts, which account for much of the state’s land mass, are inhabited mostly by tribals and are protected from encroachment by various laws.

The Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee Manipur (STDCM), which is spearheading the movement for the inclusion of Meiteis in the ST category, has been protesting against this demand. 

STDCM are demanding huge reservation quota, reservation in jobs, educational institutions, as well as tax relief. 

While the other communities alleged that they are refugees who came to India illegally from Myanmar, Bangladesh, and other countries. And now they are asking for reservations by neglecting the rights of real Indians.

The situation worsened after tribal groups took out rallies in several districts of Manipur, leading to violence during the ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ called by the All Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM) in the Torbung area of Churachandpur district. 

Thousands of tribals, who make up about 40% of the state’s population, joined the processions, waved placards, and raised slogans opposing the ST status for the Meitei.

To tackle the worsening law and order situation, the Manipur government suspended mobile internet services for five days and imposed a ban on large gatherings, a night curfew, and deployed the Army and Assam Rifles to control the situation. 

Curfew was imposed in non-tribal-dominated Imphal West, Kakching, Thoubal, Jiribam, and Bishnupur districts, and tribal-dominated Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, and Tengnoupal districts.

It is important to note that STDCM and refugees from Myanmar and Bangladesh are not responsible for the violence in Manipur. The article does not mention anything like that. 

Instead, it highlights the two issues in the state that led to the situation – 

• CM Biren Singh’s move to protect the forest faces resistance from illegal immigrants and drug cartels, and
• The Manipur High Court’s recent direction to the State Government to consider the inclusion of Meitei in ST, which has led to an outburst from the tribal community who are ST.

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