In Manipur’s Jiribam district, a violent clash between suspected militants and security forces resulted in the death of ten individuals, believed to be members of the Hmar tribe under the Kuki-Zo community. The militants attacked Meitei settlements and later a CRPF post and a local police station. The attack left a CRPF constable injured. Tensions reportedly escalated due to the recent killing of a Hmar woman, with the Hmar Village Volunteers attributing the deaths of the militants to retaliation. To control the unrest, prohibitory orders were imposed, and shutdowns were observed in Kuki-Zo-majority districts like Churachandpur and Kangpokpi.
🚨Manipur: Curfew imposed in Jiribam district following encounter that killed 11 militants. pic.twitter.com/73LsieySER
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Background: Manipur’s Tribal Tensions
Manipur, a state in India’s northeastern region, has long been embroiled in communal tensions between its dominant Meitei community and the indigenous tribal groups, particularly the Kuki-Zo and other hill tribes. The Imphal valley, primarily populated by Meiteis, holds political dominance, whereas the majority of the state’s landmass is populated by tribals who feel marginalized.
The Flash Point: ST Status for Meiteis
The recent violence traces its roots to a significant legal decision. The Manipur High Court ordered the state government to act on a decade-old recommendation to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Meitei community. This demand has been a subject of contention since 2012. The Meiteis argue that they were recognized as a tribe before the merger of Manipur with India in 1949 but lost that status afterward. They claim that ST status is necessary to preserve their culture, land, and language, as they have been marginalized over time.
On the other hand, tribal groups, including those from the Kuki-Zo community, strongly oppose the move, fearing that granting ST status to the Meiteis would exacerbate their political and demographic advantage. Tribals believe this could lead to the acquisition of land in the hills, further pushing them out. The Meitei population is already more advanced academically and politically, and the inclusion of the Meiteis in the ST category is viewed as a threat to their livelihoods and cultural preservation.
Who Are the Hmar Tribe?
The Hmar tribe is an indigenous ethnic group with origins in the Chin Hills of Myanmar, and they are spread across the northeastern states of India, including Manipur. Part of the broader Mizo-Kuki-Chin ethnic group, the Hmars speak a Tibeto-Burman language, closely related to Mizo and Kuki dialects. They traditionally follow a patriarchal system, with unique inheritance practices such as ultimogeniture (where the youngest child inherits family property).
The tribe is known for its agrarian lifestyle, practicing shifting cultivation (jhum) and settled farming, growing rice, maize, and vegetables, along with some cotton cultivation.
In Conclusion
The violence in Manipur is a result of a long-standing and complex web of socio-political and ethnic issues, with the ST status demand being a key flashpoint. The Hmar community’s involvement in the recent attack highlights the deepening divisions, and as the situation escalates, it remains to be seen how the government will address the underlying grievances of all parties involved.
