SILCHAR : Manipur is burning and Barak Valley is also bearing its brunt. Why this crisis has happened in Manipur? What is the reason behind it? We need find out the answers. These questions are haunting us.

If we try to find out the causes of this outburst, we will have to look into the history of Manipur. Of the total population in Manipur, 53 per cent are being dominated by the Meitis.The remaining population is being dominated by people belonging to various tribes like the Kukis, Nagas and Hmars.  

Now, let’s turn our focus towards land. The Meitis are based in Imphal. If we go by statistics, the Meitis are occupying only 10 per cent of the land and the remaining 90 per cent of the land is home to the other tribes like the Nagas, Kukis and Hmars. The Manipuri community has been opposing this tradition tooth and nail since post independence.

The law clearly states that the hilly areas will be reserved only for the various other tribes othe than the Meitis. Cutting the long story short, the Meitis will not be able to purchase any property in the hilly areas. On the contrary, the non-Meiti tribal population is purchasing property in the plains.

With a view to countering this move the Meitis are demanding to get themselves enlisted in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) community. Accordingly the Meitis are demanding for ST status. This has been the longstanding demand of the Meitis. In fact the Meitis moved Manipur High Court on this issue.

The high court instructed the state government to take steps regarding this demand of the Meitis. However, the tribal organizations opposed it and till date they are opposing it. The tribal bodies are of the opinion that the Meitis are a developed community and they don’t need any sort of reservation.

The tribal bodies also expressed their fear regarding the Meitis on issue. If the Meiteis are allowed to purchase property in the hills, they will overpower the tribals and their fate will be in jeopardy.

Moreover, the Meiteis consider themselves to be the original inhabitant of this land. They consider themselves to be the son of the soil and accordingly they should be allowed to purchase property in the hills.

This tug of war is going on for decades. Opposing the order of the high court, the tribal bodies started their protest demonstrations. Kuki dominated Churachandpur witnessed a mega rally by the tribal bodies. It was organized by All Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM).

Few of the ATSUM cadres allegedly attacked the shops owned by the Meiteis. There was a centenary gate at Churachadpur. It was constructed by the Kukis.

Unknown hooligans set the gate on fire. This incident was enough to bring the state to a standstill. Following this incident whole of Churachandpur became violent and authorities had to burn midnight oil to bring the situation under normalcy.

Till now the atmosphere is fully surcharged. Thereafter the non-Meitei tribal community leaders were allegedly attacked. One Kuki MLA was also allegedly attacked on his return from the official residence of chief minister N Biren Singh.

The ongoing crisis in Manipur has also affected Barak Valley. Many Hmars and Kukis have taken shelter in various churches of Barak Valley. It is being heard from unconfirmed sources that Kuki dominated Hmarkhawlein village in Barak Valley may have to face the wrath of ultra-jingoist elements from Manipur.

Looking at these reports the Centre has taken the charge of law and order of Manipur into its own hands. IPS officer Ashutosh Sinha has been given special appointment as operational commander. The security advisor to Manipur government Kuldiep Singh has taken the charge from Manipur DGP P Doungel. After a hiatus of years once again clashes have broken out in Manipur.

There are already various militant outfits in Manipur. All of them are laced with modern weapons. This is a matter of grave concern. Many Meiteis from Darjeeling are now holed up in camps at Lakhipur area in Cachar district. They are not being able to enter their home state due to the tense atmosphere.

It is being believed that the Meiteis should be given a fair treatment in their own land. Else the situation will not improve in Manipur.