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By Afrida Hussain: Following the recent violence between two communities – Meitei and Kuki – in Manipur, ten legislators, including seven from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have demanded a separate state and have written a letter to Union Minister Amit Shah.
Although the situation in the valley is under control, tensions remain in the hills and foothills.
Minister of State for tribal affairs and BJP leader Letpao Haokip said, “Meiteis have meticulously planned to clean tribals from valley area, no officers or politicians want to return to the valley again. The Meiteis have already separated us. Population exchange has occurred and no one wishes to return.”
While talking to India Today, Pao further said, “I have been attacked twice, and my houses have been burned. There were security personnel, but they were mute spectators; only BSF personnel came and rescued me. According to Article 371C, valley and general people are not allowed to settle in the hills, and a hill area committee and governor order are required to perform anything in the hill area, and Meitei wants to remove tribals from the valley area due to land issues. We don’t have security in the valley area; we’ll starve to death but won’t be able to return.”
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“There are currently seven BJP legislators, two from the KPA (Kuki people’s alliance), and one independent who has called for a separate state. There are total 20 tribal legislators, including 10 Kuki legislators, who will also sign the letter demanding a separate state because people will force them too,” the BJP leader said.
MANIPUR VIOLENCE
The demand for a ‘separate state’ came days after the tribal Kuki community, which mostly resides in the hill districts, and the Meiteis, the dominant community in Imphal Valley, clashed in Churachandpur town on May 3 over some issues, including a proposal to grant Scheduled Tribe status to the latter
At least 73 people have been killed so far and thousands have been displaced in the violence which involved arson, rioting and targeted killings. The clashes prompted the state government to issue shoot-at-sight orders, enforce a curfew and ban internet services.
The Manipur government on Tuesday extended the suspension of internet services across the state till May 20.
The tribal communities who are protected by the constitution Article 371C strongly oppose the Meitei receiving the ST status contending that they are already privileged elite Hindus, and may infringe on their rights of their share of the reservations and thus encroach their lands.
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There are allegations and counter-allegations on both sides, with Kuki believing that Meitei meticulously planned and Meitei believing that Kuki planned the violence. However, both communities have experienced violence, which has resulted in the segregation of Meitei and Kuki populations in the valley and hills.
Dipu Gangmei, chairman of the Hills Area Committee, stated that in a democracy, everyone has the right to demand, but the genuineness of the demand will be considered by the decision makers who will make all of these critical decisions, and so far it has been a communal demand and there has been no demand from tribals.
“It will have political ramifications because there is now a clear rift between ten legislators and the ruling party. Although the law and order situation has improved, there is still concern on their part,” Gangmei said.
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