Violent clashes between two communities seem to be increasing continuously in Manipur. Before some time, a video of two women from Manipur being paraded naked and sexually assaulted went viral on social media. After this people from all over the country gave their respective reactions and expressed their anger. Know in this news when and why this violence started.
Manipur is burning in the fire of violence. Even today, violent clashes are being seen in Manipur between two communities, Meitei and Kuki. At the same time, recently two women of the Kuki community were paraded naked by men of the Meitei community. After which anger is being seen in the entire country. People have many types of reactions on social media.
Where is Manipur and who lives there?
Manipur is a state located in northeast India. The states of northeast India are also called 7 sisters. Manipur shares its border with Myanmar. An estimated 33 lakh people live here. More than half of the people of the Meitei community reside, while about 43% of the people of the Kuki and Naga communities are considered to be major minority tribes.
Why is there fighting in Manipur?
In May this year, Manipur witnessed violent clashes between two communities, the majority Meitei and the minority Kuki. So far, at least 130 people have been killed and 400 people have been injured in this violence. More than 60,000 people have been forced to flee their homes as the army, paramilitary forces and police struggle to stop the violence.
During these clashes, both communities vandalized many places and also looted weapons from many police stations. Hundreds of churches and more than a dozen temples were also demolished and several villages were set on fire during the violent clashes.
How did the violent clashes start in Manipur?
Violence started in Manipur on 3rd May 2023, violence broke out between the Meitei (valley-dominated community) and the Kuki Tribe (hill-dominated community) in Manipur. The Meitei community in Manipur is demanding that they be given Scheduled Tribe (ST) status in the state like the Kukis.
Tension increased further in Manipur when the Kuki community started opposing the demand for giving official tribal status to the Meitei community. The Kuki argued that this would further strengthen their influence over government and society, allowing them to purchase land or settle in predominantly Kuki areas. The Kukis say the war on drugs waged by the Meitei-led government is an excuse to uproot their community.
Illegal migration from Myanmar has further increased the tension. Due to the increasing population, there is pressure on land use.
Which two communities are fighting in Manipur?
Meitei, Kuki and Naga communities have been fighting each other for decades over conflicting homeland demands and religious differences, and all sides have clashed with Indian security forces. However, this recent fight is entirely between the Meitei and Kuki communities.
“This time, the conflict is entirely rooted in ethnicity and not religion,” says Dhiren A Sadokpam, editor of The Frontier Manipur.
Who are Kuki and Meitei?
Meitei’s roots are in Manipur, Myanmar and surrounding areas. The vast majority are Hindus. However, some people follow the Sanamahi Religion. The Kukis, mostly Christians, are spread across the north-east of India and Manipur, many of them can also trace their roots to Myanmar.
The Meitei people live mostly in the Imphal valley, while the Kukis live in the surrounding hills and beyond.
Why are women being attacked?
The video is a new example of rape and sexual assault as a means of violence in conflict, which can often escalate into reprisal attacks. The attack in May followed fake reports that a Meitei woman had been raped by a Kuki militia man, according to local media.
What is the Central Government doing in the Manipur case?
The video of sexual harassment of women on May 4, 2023, went viral on social media this week, after which a lot of anger was seen among the people. Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not give any statement on the Manipur violence until the video of the attack surfaced. But addressing the media on the first day of the monsoon session, he said the incident had “put India to shame” and “no culprit will be spared…What happened to the daughters of Manipur can never be forgiven.”
At the same time, many Indians are asking why it took him so long to publicly comment on the current situation in Manipur.
The Indian government has deployed 40,000 soldiers, paramilitary forces and police to the area to curb the violence. So far, it has resisted tribal leaders’ calls to impose direct rule. However, the violence continues to spread and more and more villagers are forced to flee their homes.
Who rules Manipur?
BJP is ruling Manipur. The Chief Minister of Manipur is N Biren Singh who comes from the Meitei community. The Meitei community dominates 40 of the 60 assembly seats in the state. Because their population is 53% of the total population.
The Kuki community says N Biren Singh’s recent war over poppy cultivation for the heroin trade has targeted Kuki areas. N Biren Singh’s government accused Kuki insurgent groups of instigating the community.
Who is the Meitei community?
The majority group in Manipur is Meitei. There are other tribal groups like Kuki or Naga which are minorities. The Meitei people live mostly in the plains and the rest of the tribal communities live in the hilly areas. If the Meitei community gets ST status, their reach in the hilly areas will increase.
Who are the Kuki community?
The Kuki tribe is a tribal group in the southeastern part of the Indian states of Manipur and Mizoram. The Kuki are one of the many hill tribes found in India, Bangladesh and Myanmar. They are present in all the states except Arunachal Pradesh in North-East India.
Why are women at the center in Manipur?
The women of Manipur have a different identity from those of most Indian states. It is one of the few states in India where women are still seen as the primary wage earners. In Manipuri, women participate in the labour sector at a significantly higher rate than women in other states. Many people believe that Manipuri women are more powerful and independent than women in other states because Manipuri women have always been seen as a collective force in the state.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Question: What’s in the viral video of Manipur?
Answer: Tension escalated in Manipur after a video of May 4 surfaced on Wednesday, in which two women from the Kuki community of the northeastern state are being paraded naked by a mob of men from the Meitei community. In reaction to the viral video, an angry mob also burnt down the house of the main accused on Thursday.
Question: Why are two communities fighting in Manipur?
Answer: Violence started in Manipur on 3 May. Violence broke out in Manipur on 3 May between the Meitei (valley-dominated community) and the Kuki tribe (hill-dominated community). The Meitei community in Manipur is demanding that they be given Scheduled Tribe (ST) status in the state like the Kukis.
Question: What is the population of Meitei in Manipur?
Answer: The largest community in Manipur is the Meitei, constituting about 53% of the state’s total population of 2.85 million (2011 census). Also known as Meitei or Manipuri, this community is spread across other northeastern states, Bangladesh and Myanmar.
Question: Which two communities are fighting in Manipur?
Answer: Ethnic violence has pushed the small Indian state of Manipur into civil war as the two largest groups, the majority Meitei and the minority Kuki, battle over land and influence.
Question: Why is there fighting in Manipur?
Answer: Manipur is mainly inhabited by Meitai, Kuki and Naga castes. The Nagas and Kukis already had tribal status, but this status was taken away from the Meiteis in 1949. Since then the people of the Meitei community have been demanding this. Due to this violent clashes are taking place between the two communities.
Question: How did Manipur become a part of India?
Answer: On 11 August 1947, Maharaja Budhchandra signed the Instrument of Accession to join the new Indian Union. Later, on 21 September 1949, he signed a merger agreement, under which the state merged with India and thus became part of the state.
Question: Who are the Kukis in Manipur?
Answer: The Kuki tribe is a tribal group in the southeastern part of the Indian states of Manipur and Mizoram. The Kuki are one of the many hill tribes found in India, Bangladesh and Myanmar. They are present in all the states except Arunachal Pradesh in North-East India.
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