Tensions between the Kuki-Zo community and Naga groups in Manipur are escalating due to complex ethnic, infrastructural, and security issues. The Kuki-Zo Council's push for improved connectivity, "German-Tiger Road," is met with opposition from the Foothills Naga Coordination Committee, highlighting land claims, mobility disruptions, and tribal governance demands.
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Picture Courtesy: INDIAN EXPRESS
Ahead of PM Modi's Manipur visit, the government secured an understanding with tribal groups for free movement but now faces a trade boycott from the United Naga Council, protesting border fencing and the suspension of the Free Movement Regime.
The FMR allowed visa-free movement up to 16 km across the India-Myanmar border, supporting ethnic and familial ties of Kuki and Naga communities.
Suspension in 2024: To curb illegal immigration and drug trafficking.
Tribal Opposition: Kukis and Nagas compare border fencing to the “Berlin Wall,” arguing it disrupts their cultural and social networks.
Colonial Legacy: British policies divided Manipur into hill (Naga, Kuki-Zo) and valley (Meitei) regions, promoting ethnic mistrust. Kukis were introduced as a buffer against Naga raids, complicating ethnic dynamics.
Post-Independence Movements: The Naga national movement (1950s) and Kuki-Zomi’s demand for ‘Kukiland’ deepened divisions. The 1993 Naga-Kuki clashes caused significant displacement, fueling Meitei nationalism.
Resource and Political Disparities: Meiteis, despite occupying only 10% of Manipur’s land, dominate politics and economy, while hill-based Kukis and Nagas face underdevelopment, sparking grievances.
Immediate Triggers: Manipur High Court’s 2023 directive to consider Meitei inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list, opposed by Kukis and Nagas, ignited violence, and social media misinformation further escalated tensions.
Loss of Life and Displacement: In 2024, 221 people were killed, 60,000 displaced, 1,000 injured, and 4,786 houses burned.
Gender-Based Violence: Incidents like the gang-rape and public stripping of two Kuki women highlighted severe violence against women.
Economic Disruption: Exports (textiles, medicines, food) dropped by 80%, and border trade in Moreh collapsed, impacting India’s Act East Policy.
Health Crisis: Displaced populations face high medical costs, malnutrition, and disease outbreaks.
Social Fragmentation: Ethnic divisions have deepened, with buffer zones separating Meitei and Kuki-Zo areas, guarded by security forces.
Regional Instability: The influx of 95,600 Myanmar refugees and the FMR suspension strain India-Myanmar relations and local economies.
Union Government Response and Strategic Considerations
Security Measures: Imposition of President’s Rule (February 2025), dismantling of 450-500 bunkers, and establishment of an Anti-Extortion Cell aim to restore order.
Resumed talks with Kuki-Zo groups: Union Home Ministry resumed talks with Kuki-Zo insurgent groups.
Humanitarian Efforts: Relief camps house 58,000 people, but food, water, and healthcare shortages persist due to donor fatigue and inflation.
Act East Policy: Violence disrupts connectivity projects like the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway, weakening India’s regional influence compared to China.
Ethnic Polarization: Deep mistrust between Meiteis, Kukis, and Nagas hinders dialogue.
Security-First Approach: The MHA’s focus on border fencing (₹31,000 crore project) and arms recovery prioritizes security over reconciliation, alienating transborder communities.
Data Deficiency: Fragmented data collection due to restricted access and misinformation hides the crisis’s scale.
Political Apathy: Centre’s delayed response and PM Modi’s absence from Manipur difference with swift action in other regions like Kashmir, signaling low prioritization.
Geopolitical Complications: Myanmar’s instability and China’s support for Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs) complicate India’s border management and Act East Policy.
Inclusive Dialogue: Engage Meitei, Kuki-Zo, and Naga leaders through neutral mediators to rebuild trust and address grievances like ST status and land disputes.
Strengthen Security: Deploy central forces to secure NH-2 and buffer zones, ensuring safe passage without relying on local communities.
Address Humanitarian Needs: Expand relief efforts and improve access to healthcare and essentials in camps to rebuild trust.
Promote Inclusive Governance: Encourage dialogue to promote a pan-Manipuri identity, reducing ethnic group vs group conflicts.
Balance Border Security and Tribal Interests: Explore partial restoration of FMR or alternative mechanisms to respect tribal ties while addressing security concerns.
Economic Restoration: Restore supply chains along NH-02 and revive border trade in Moreh to support local economies and Act East Policy goals.
Disarmament and Justice: Recover looted weapons, regulate militias, and ensure accountability for violence, especially against women, to restore state authority.
National Prioritization: Elevate Manipur’s crisis in national discourse, with proactive engagement from the Centre, including PM visits and policy focus.
The Manipur crisis reflects complex ethnic, territorial, and geopolitical challenges, exacerbated by the FMR suspension and border fencing. Long-term peace requires addressing land disputes, recovering looted arms, and fostering a unified Manipuri identity while balancing security and tribal concerns.
Source: INDIAN EXPRESS
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q. How does the ethnic conflict in Manipur impact India's 'Act East' policy and its relations with Myanmar? 150 words |
In 2023, the crisis began after protests by the Meitei community against the High Court’s recommendation to grant them Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, which escalated into ethnic clashes with the Kuki-Zomi tribes.
The Meiteis (majority in Imphal Valley) and the Kuki-Zomi tribes (living in hill districts) are the two key groups in conflict. Nagas also have a stake in the larger ethnic equation.
Manipur is a gateway to Southeast Asia. Prolonged instability threatens connectivity projects like the India-Myanmar-Thailand Highway and cross-border trade.
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