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By Afrida Hussain: A decade-long faultline is reopening in Manipur as violent protests broke out against a high court direction to the state government on the inclusion of Meiteis in the Scheduled Tribes category.
Meiteis are about 53 per cent of the entire population of the state but occupy about 10% of the land area of Manipur. If included in the ST list, Meiteis will be able to purchase land in hill areas, inhabited by tribals.
Clashes between tribals and Meiteis have been reported in parts of Imphal, Churachandpur and other areas. Meitei is the predominant ethnic group in Manipur and Kuki is one of the biggest tribes.
It all began when tribal groups in Manipur called for a 12-hour total shutdown in protest against the state government’s survey on reserved forests/protected forests and eviction from villages on the day of Chief Minister Biren Singh’s visit to Churachandpur on April 28.
Tribal bodies also expressed their displeasure after the demolition of churches in Imphal by the state government during an eviction drive last month. Kukis and Nagas, the most prominent hill tribes of Manipur, are Christians.
Here’s a look at the complete timeline of events
April 27: A day before Biren Singh’s visit to Churachandpur, the open gym the chief minister was scheduled to inaugurate was set on fire.
April 28: Section 144 was imposed along with a five-day suspension of internet services. Protesters and security forces clashed, with police using tear gas shells to disperse the mob.
According to sources, police forces were not removed from the district despite the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) agreeing to withdraw the protest. A mob gathered in the Tuibong Bazar area and resorted to burning tyres on the roads.
May 3: Thousands turned up for the Tribal Solidarity March called by the All Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM) to protest against the inclusion of Meiteis in the ST category. More than 60,000 people are estimated to have attended the rally. Violence erupted during the rally in the Torbung area of Churachandpur.
Nearly 11 civilians were reported injured, with two others dying from bullet wounds in Saikul, Kangpokpi district.
As Meiteis and protesters (tribals) clashed on the streets, state security forces rushed to the scene and prohibitory orders were imposed in eight districts.
Meanwhile, amid protests, images of civilians carrying sophisticated weapons such as AK-47s flooded social media. According to sources, the protesters were members of a suspended Kuki tribal militant group. However, the authenticity of the claim is yet to be verified.
May 4: Fresh incidents of violence in Imphal. More vandalism, destruction of properties and clashes between Meiteis and tribals. The Rapid Action Force was deployed along with the Army, CRPF, Assam Rifles and state police to contain violence.
On the same day, the government issued a shoot at sight order in “extreme cases whereby forms of persuasion, warning, reasonable force have been exhausted and the situation can not be controlled.”
So far, 9,000 people have been rescued by the forces from the violence-hit areas, and given shelter, a defence spokesperson said on Thursday, adding that more people are being shifted to safer places.
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