Manipur, a rude reminder of northeast tensions – on ethnic violence in Manipur | 12th June 2023 | UPSC Daily Editorial Analysis
What's the article about?
- It talks about the underlying causes of the ongoing ethnic violence in the Northeast, especially in Manipur.
Relevance:
- GS2: Linkages between Development and Spread of Extremism;
- Prelims
Context:
- Manipur violence has claimed more than hundred lives over a month.
- It was believed that the development in the NE region, especially in the Manipur region, has united all the inhabitant tribes of the region.
- But this ethnic violence shows that the tribes are still divided (the Meiteis and the Kuki-Chin-Mizo-Zomi-Naga tribes) on various issues.
- In this article, the writer analyses the causes behind such a divide.
What was the immediate cause of the Manipur violence?
- The Manipur High Court (HC) directed the State to pursue a 10-year-old recommendation to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the non-tribal Meitei.
- The violence escalated after the All-Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM) organized a “tribal solidarity rally” against the alleged move to include the Meiteis on the ST list.
Manipur’s ethnic composition:
- Manipur is a state in northeast India, with the city of Imphal as its capital.
- The Meitei people represent around 53% of the population of Manipur state, followed by various Naga ethnic groups at 24% and various Kuki/Zo tribes (also known as Chin-Kuki-Mizo people) at 16%.
- While a majority of the Meiteis are Hindus followed by Muslims, the 33 recognised tribes, broadly classified into ‘Any Naga tribes’ and ‘Any Kuki tribes’ are largely Christians.
Analysis:
- Development has reduced the divide:
- Most people across the country believe that the northeast had over time become well and truly integrated. But, notwithstanding improved communications, better transit facilities, and support for the special needs of the region, there does still exist a divide between the tribes and plains people within the region.
- Other forms of divide:
- An additional dimension in the northeast is the presence of ethnic sub-nationalism and identity politics in an aggravated form.
Ethnic allegiance had oftentimes been in conflict with mainstream nationalism or vice-versa previously, but it was hoped that such tensions had subsided. The Manipur developments imply that in much of the northeast, ethnic identities still overshadow and overwhelm all other considerations.
- An additional dimension in the northeast is the presence of ethnic sub-nationalism and identity politics in an aggravated form.
- Resurgence of old issues:
- According to some reports from the region, consolidation efforts by different tribal entities were resulting in subterranean pressures, and the result is that many issues which were deemed settled seem to have been reopened. This applies specially to Manipur where, of late, there have been incipient signs of a resurgence of ultra-nationalistic tendencies.
The confrontation between Meitei versus Kuki-Naga ultra-radicalism, as evidenced in Manipur these past weeks, needs to be viewed in the larger context of the conflict between the plains Meiteis and the Kuki-Mizo-Chin-Zomi-Naga hill tribes.
- According to some reports from the region, consolidation efforts by different tribal entities were resulting in subterranean pressures, and the result is that many issues which were deemed settled seem to have been reopened. This applies specially to Manipur where, of late, there have been incipient signs of a resurgence of ultra-nationalistic tendencies.
- Steps taken by the Union government:
- A judicial probe into the ethnic violence and of a three-member committee headed by a judge has been announced. Also the Central Bureau of Investigation is inquiring into specific incidents of violence.
Way Forward:
- The confrontation between Meitei versus Kuki-Naga ultra-radicalism, as evidenced in Manipur these past weeks, needs to be viewed in the larger context of the conflict between the plains Meiteis and the Kuki-Mizo-Chin-Zomi-Naga hill tribes.
- What is needed at this time is for saner voices to play a leading role. Notwithstanding the fact that the northeast has been spared serious violence for some years now, the reality is that it is still a volatile region. It is in the process of changing and adapting to newer circumstances.
- What the Centre needs to achieve is an ‘optimal positioning’ even if it may seem like giving far too many concessions.
- Understanding cultural factors are critical, specially in times of conflict. The Meitei versus Tribal divide is both a cultural and sociological phenomenon.
- A solution demands a combination of adjusting to realities, coupled with an understanding of the moral imperatives of the numerous tribal communities that dot the northeastern landscape.
- The art is to come up with an agreement in which both or more parties to the dispute think it is the best from their point of view.
Recent Articles
- Government Schemes & Bodies 2024 Prelims 365
- Society 2024 Prelims 365
- Economy 2024 Prelims 365
- Polity 2024 Prelims 365
- Science and Technology 2024 Prelims 365
- International Relations 2024 Prelims 365
- History, Art and Culture 2024 Prelims 365
- Environment 2024 Prelims 365
- Most Important Acts, Bills in News 2024
- Most Important Places in News 2024
Popular Articles
- UPSC CSE 2023 Mains Essay Paper Model Answers
- UPSC CSE 2022 Mains GS 1 Paper Model Answers
- Storage, Transport & Marketing of Agricultural Produce & Issues & Related Constraints.
- Static Topics Repository for Mains
- Anti-Globalization Movement
- UPSC CSE 2023 Mains GS 1 Paper Model Answers
- UPSC CSE 2022 Mains GS 4 Paper Model Answers
- UPSC CSE 2023 Mains GS 2 Paper Model Answers
- PDS: objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping
- Achievements of Indians in Science & Technology
Popular Topics
ART & CULTURE
CASE STUDIES
COMMITTEES & SUMMITS
DISASTER MANAGEMENT
ECONOMICS
ECONOMICS PREMIUM
ECONOMICS STATIC
ECONOMIC SURVEY
EDITORIAL
ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY
ENVIRONMENT PREMIUM
ETHICS
GEOGRAPHY
GEOGRAPHY PREMIUM
GEOGRAPHY STATIC
HEALTH
HISTORY
HISTORY PREMIUM
HISTORY STATIC
INDIAN POLITY
INDIAN POLITY PREMIUM
INDIAN POLITY STATIC
INTEGRITY & APTITUDE
INTERNAL SECURITY & DEFENSE
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
LITE SUBSCRIPTION PREMIUM
MAINS
MAINS CORNER PREMIUM
PLUS SUBSCRIPTION PREMIUM
POLITY & GOVERNANCE
PRELIMS
PRELIMS CURRENT AFFAIRS MAGAZINE
PRO SUBSCRIPTION PREMIUM
REPORTS
SAMAJHO'S CORNER PREMIUM
SAMAJHO ANALYSIS
SAMAJHO CORNER PREMIUM
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
SELF PREPARATION
SMAP ANSWER WRITING
SOCIETY
SPR
SYLLABUS
TELEGRAM
YOJANA GIST