In a recent development, Manipur BJP MLA Paolienlal Haokip has accused the state government of complicity in the prolonged ethnic violence that erupted in the northeastern state. Mr. Haokip, along with nine other tribal legislators, had earlier demanded a separate administration for the Kuki-dominated districts in the state, further fueling tensions. In an opinion article for India Today, the MLA highlighted the alleged attempt by the Chief Minister to shift the narrative of the violence towards a “war on narco terrorists,” thereby justifying the use of state forces to aid the Meitei militia in attacking Kuki-Zo settlements in the foothills.
The demands for separate administration and allegations of state complicity come against the backdrop of simmering conflicts over constitutional rights and resource allocation that have persisted since the pre-statehood era. Several Kuki leaders have also raised concerns about bias in resource allocation, curtailment of powers of the Hill Areas Committee, and reservations in state jobs, leading to a perception of gross injustices among the tribal Kuki Zo people. On the other hand, the Meitei militia perceives the conflict as a war to claim tribal land.
Notably, Mr. Haokip did not spare the Chief Minister from criticism, alleging that he had connections with radical groups like Meitei Leepun and Arambai Tenggol, who were purportedly involved in the ethnic cleansing of the Kuki Zo community. This accusation highlights the escalation of tensions within the state’s political landscape.
The claims of state complicity and biased governance have raised concerns about the impact on peace in the region. While acknowledging the presence of some degree of bias in Manipur historically, Mr. Haokip emphasized that it has accentuated under the current Chief Minister’s leadership.
Moreover, in an interview with Newslaundry, the BJP MLA expressed his concerns about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “misplaced priorities” and revealed that he, along with other Manipur MLAs, has been attempting to meet with the Prime Minister to discuss the situation. He remains optimistic that only the central government can play a decisive role in restoring peace to the state.
Meanwhile, the hill-majority Kukis have accused the BJP-led government in Manipur of systematically targeting them under the guise of a war on drugs campaign, aimed at removing them from their homes and forests in the hills. Data from the state’s special anti-drugs unit, Narcotics and Affairs of Border (NAB), revealed that poppy cultivation in Manipur has spread across 15,400 acres of land in the hills between 2017 and 2023, further complicating the situation.
The conflict has also led to apprehensions among the Meitei community, who worry that they may lose their place in the valley over time, as they are not allowed to buy land in the hills while the tribals residing there are permitted to own land in the valley. In response, the Kukis have voiced their concerns that granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Meiteis may lead to an expansion of their presence into the hills, further encroaching on Kuki lands.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
