The ethnic violence in Manipur, a northeastern state of India, has drawn significant national and international concern. Manipur is home to a diverse population, with the Meitei, Naga, and Kuki communities being the largest ethnic groups. In recent years, tensions between these groups, particularly between the Meitei and Kuki populations, have escalated into violent clashes. The root of these tensions stems from historical grievances over land, political representation, and social privileges. The violence has resulted in deaths, displacement, and the destruction of property, deeply destabilizing the region.
At the core of the conflict is the demand by the Meitei community, a largely Hindu ethnic group, for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, which would grant them benefits in education, employment, and access to land. This has been opposed by the Kuki and Naga tribal communities, who fear losing their already limited economic and political advantages. The ethnic violence in May 2023, which erupted after a court decision favoured the Meitei’s demands, saw homes and churches being burned, and clashes between militias and civilians. Thousands were displaced as the violence raged for months, highlighting the deep divisions and mistrust among the ethnic groups in Manipur.
The Indian authorities, both at the state and national levels, have been criticized for their response to the violence. The initial response by the Manipur government was seen as inadequate, with delays in deploying security forces to control the situation. Critics also pointed out the failure of intelligence and law enforcement agencies to anticipate the eruption of violence, despite the long-standing tensions in the region. Additionally, allegations of bias against the tribal communities and mishandling of the situation have further eroded trust in the authorities’ ability to manage ethnic conflicts.
The Indian government has a critical responsibility to restore peace and order in Manipur. We, Rights Defenders, emphasise the need for dialogue between conflicting communities, beyond immediate law enforcement actions, to address their concerns and ensure equal political and economic opportunities for all ethnic groups. Long-term solutions must include addressing underlying grievances over land ownership, political representation and economic inequalities. As Manipur continues to grapple with the consequences of ethnic violence, the role of Indian authorities will be important in promoting peace and rebuilding trust among its diverse communities.
References
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023%E2%80%932024_Manipur_violence
https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/07/india-authorities-missing-in-action-amid-ongoing-violence-and-impunity-in-manipur-state-new-testimonies/ https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/09/14/india-renewed-ethnic-violence-manipur-state
