ABSTRACT
This article tends to have a deep analysis of minority community rights during conflict. The article will deeply examine the conflict of the minority community with reference to Manipur. The Manipur violence is a communal conflict between the Meitei and the Kuki communities. The conflict has failed state mechanisms to protect the vulnerable group of the states. This study tends to explains how human rights violations are the cause of historical discontent related to cultural, political, and land issues. Through the interpretation made from the prism of human rights, the article calls for immediate legal help and political intervention to ensure justice and reconciliation of peace, which would further protect minority rights in conflict-affected regions
INTRODUCTION
Human rights are fundamental for all individuals. In a diverse country like India, certain minority tends to face discrimination for their rights, culture, etc. These reasons tend to create tension between the groups, which ultimately leads to conflict and violence. the recent MANIPUR VIOLENCE is the best example of it, it is a north-east state of India. it has brought global attention to which advertises confronting marginalized population struggle. The most affected community from this is the Kuki-zo tribes of Manipur. This conflict has exposed the gaps that rift the protection and promotion of human rights for minority groups. In many cases state becomes biased with its decision that is favoring one over the other community.
This article points out the issue, the contention of conflicting parties, government takeaways, and the solution to these issues.
KEY WORDS
Kuki-zo tribe, Meithei community, Churachandpur district, section 144 of crpc.
Historical background
History of Manipur:
Cheitharol Kumbaba documented the significant history of Manipuri kings, which belong to the Ninghthouja dynasty. The king and the people of the Manipur followed the belief of the Sanmahism till the 18th century. It was the belief and the findings of some Manipuri scholars that the Charairongba converted to Hinduism along with his family.
The king, named Meidingu pamheiba, was also known as Garib Nawaz by muslims. He was the son of King Charaironba, and he was also known for the conquest of the Burmese capital.
After the Anglo-Manipur war, Manipur became a princely state in the year 1891. Finally, in the year 1947, Maharaja Budhachandra signed a treaty of accession for the merging of Manipur with India. In the year 1956, Manipur acquired the status of Union Territory, and in 1972, it acquired the full-fledged status of the state.
Background of conflict:
Manipur violence, which began in May 2023, is about ethnic tensions between the two communities named the “Meitei and the Kuki- zo tribe. The conflict started basically by the ruling of the court which favors the Meiteis over the Kuki-Zo. The violence between the groups resulted in a huge clash, which resulted in over 260 deaths, more than 60,000 displacements, and heavy destruction of public property, religious institutions. the communities have made themselves armed with heavy ammunition and destructive explosives and looted the state assets to demand for their rights.
Various factors are responsible for the communal tension between the groups, which are as follows:
- Legacy of British colonialism
- Division into hills and valleys, which further creates division in the administration as well
These are the two major factors that still create alienation and tension between the two groups.
Events
During the British era
- Kangleipak kingdom, which was then a British protectorate, was repeatedly raided by the naga tribes who after that persuaded the the Northern hills.
- The Kukis tribe then were known to be the deadly head-hunting warriors— and for them maharaja then gave them the land for the ridges, where they could act as a shield for the Imphal valley below
Kuki- Meitei divide
Ethnic tension was present between the hill communities and the Meitei’s which stated from the erstwhile kingdom, and this escalated the Naga national movement in the 1950s and which called for the independent Naga nation.
Later, the Naga insurgency was countered by the insurgent groups, which were basically among the Meiteis and the Kuki-zomi tribes.
Movement of “kukiland”
In the year 1990, the NSCN-IM pushed harder for self-determination determination and on the other hand, the Kuki- zomi began to form its military group, and later on, they initiated their movement, which is known as the movement of the “kukiland”
The Kuki tribes basically started as the protectors of the Meitei’s but this demand of the Kukiland created a rift between these two communities.
Naga Kuki clashes of 1993
In the year 1993, during the clash of the Nagas and the Kukis, NSCN-IM (National socialist council of Nagaland – Isak – Muviah)
Inner Line Permit (ILP) demand
Meiteis protested for the demand of INNER LINE PERMIT in Imphal city, the countering protest for it was being seen in churachandpur district. The law stating to determining who is Manipuri was also protested.
ISSUE
The conflict is between Meitei and the Kuki community of Manipur. Manipur is divided into 2 zones where one is the hill area (90% of Manipur), and the other is the valley area(10%of Manipur). The valley area was a developed area as it had the facility of hospital, education and all necessary things whereas hill area was an underdeveloped area. The valley area was home to Meitei, and the hill was home to Kuki. The Meites had the status of OBC and SCHEDULE CASTE. The Kuki had the status of SCHEDULED TRIBE. Being granted the status of scheduled tribe to Kuki, they had certain advantages like they can buy and sell the land anywhere throughout Manipur, unlike Meiteis. Meithei only had the right to buy the land in the valley area, which was also encroached by Kuki as Kuki’s right was not limited only to the hill area; they can even buy on the valley. Kuki’s even had certain other privileges like reservation in government jobs and educational institutions, buying and selling of land in Manipur. this was not liked by the Meiteis, so they demanded the status of scheduled tribe so that they could also enjoy their right and protect their culture and land.
REASONS THAT INSTIGATED CONFLICT IN 2023
- MANIPUR HIGH COURT ORDER-
Since 2013, Meiteis have been requesting to get the status of a scheduled tribe. so, in 2023 high court directed the state to consider Meiteis as a scheduled tribe. It resulted in protests by Kuki in CHURACHANDPUR, and a clash broke out between Kuki and Meitei community.
- EVICTION DRIVE FROM ILLEGAL OCCUPANT.
The government has been issuing eviction notices for a long time from the RESERVE FOREST AND PROTEST FOREST. 1.4 acres of land were identified as encroached.
- DRUG TRAFFICKING IN MANIPUR
The state government wanted to remove the encroachment as these areas were used for drug trade. The Golden Triangle of Southeast Asia includes Myanmar, THAILAND, and Laos, these are regarded as a huge market for drug trade. A few towns of Manipur were the hub of exchange of drug, but slowly it was being transformed from receiver to producer. CHURACHANDPUR district is the most affected area of drug.
MYANMAR ANGLE IN MANIPUR VIOLENCE.
As Myanmar has always been a country with no government order, no political stability, and no law enforcement agencies. It is also regarded as Asia’s next failed state. The main fear is that there is a huge influence of China on Myanmar and Manipur, which was the drug trade hub and was likely to be influenced by it, as the history of the southeast state of India speaks the dissatisfaction of them being merged with India.
CONTENTIONS OF THE MEITEIS AND KUKI COMMUNITY
Every Indian state maintains 3 lists for the backward community. It helps the state to keep track of the backward class getting all the facility like education, jobs etc.Meiteis have the status of OBC and scheduled cast, but wanted scheduled tribes to protect their cultural land and identity. It was unfair on the part of the Meiteis as they could not buy land anywhere in Manipur except for the valley. The status of scheduled tribe would grant them an opportunity to buy land in hill areas also.
RIGHTS TAKEN AWAY FROM MANIPUR CITIZENS?
During any crisis 3 most important rights taken away from citizens are-
- Section 144 of crpc was imposed, which took away the right to move freely.
- The right to education was suspended as all the colleges and schools were closed.
- The right to the internet was suspended for 60 days.
SOLUTION
- The high court order should be clarified as the supreme court says that just a judicial order doesn’t affect the list of scheduled tribes.
- An economically viable alternative- means new cash crop should be introduced for hill farmers.
- All northeast states should form a body and discuss the issues of northeast states. So that there is a way out to restore peace.
CONCLUSION
The Manipur violence is a clear and significant example of human rights violation, it has brought up how fragile human rights are being violated. The violence asks our lawmakers to come up with certain laws that would help to protect the minority rights without creating a conflict-like situation. It is an alarm for the government to come up with long-term solutions to settle down these issues.
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WRITTEN BY PALAK CHAUHAN
