Context: 

Violence in Manipur, which has gone on for over a month now, claimed well over a 100 lives and displaced thousands more.

Reasons Behind Violence:

• Orders of the Manipur High Court: It recently directed the State government to submit, within four weeks, a 10­ year ­old recommendation to the Union Tribal Affairs Ministry for the inclusion of the Meitei community in the ST list. 
• Union Tribal Affairs Ministry’s letter: The court referred to the Ministry’s letter in 2013 to the Manipur government seeking specific recommendation along with the latest socio economic survey and ethnographic report. 

• Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee of Manipur: 
  • It submitted a representation in 2012 demanding ST status for the Meiteis.
  • The commitee also said the Meiteis needed constitutional safeguards against outsiders, stating that the community has been kept away from the hills while the tribal people can buy land in the “shrinking” Imphal Valley.

Why are tribal groups against ST status for Meiteis?

• The tribal groups say the Meiteis have a demographic and political advantage besides being more advanced than them academically and in other aspects. 
• They feel the ST status to the Meiteis would lead to loss of job opportunities and allow them to acquire land in the hills and push the tribals out. 
• They argue that the language of the Meitei people is included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution and many of them have access to benefits associated with the SC, OBC or EWS status.

Meities Argument:

• Historical Recognition and Importance:
  • They were recognised as a tribe before the merger of the State with the Union of India in 1949. 
  • The ST status is needed to preserve the community and save the ancestral land, tradition, culture, and language of the Meiteis.

• Constitutional Safeguards and Land Concerns:
  • Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee of Manipur (STDCM) highlights the importance of constitutional safeguards for the Meiteis against outsiders.
  • They raise concerns about the Meiteis being excluded from the hills while tribal people can buy land in the “shrinking” Imphal Valley.

Way Forward:

• Judicial Probe: A judicial probe into the ethnic violence, as proposed by Home Minister can help uncover the root causes of the conflict and hold responsible parties accountable.
• Committee Formation: The establishment of a three-member committee headed by a judge can provide an impartial platform for discussions and negotiations, facilitating dialogue between the different communities involved.
• Dialogue and Negotiation: Engaging in open and inclusive dialogue between the Meiteis and the Kuki-Chin-Mizo-Zomi-Naga tribes is crucial for understanding each other’s perspectives, addressing grievances, and finding mutually acceptable solutions.
• Addressing Security Concerns: Creating a unified command to oversee security in the state, as suggested by the Home Minister, can help ensure the safety of all communities involved and prevent further violence.
• Cultural Understanding and Sensitivity: Recognizing the cultural and sociological factors underlying the conflict is important. 
  • Understanding the unique identities and aspirations of different tribal communities can guide the development of a solution that respects their individual cultures while promoting unity and peaceful coexistence.
• Autonomy and Equilibrium: Striking a balance between granting greater autonomy to the states in the region and maintaining national unity can be a delicate task. 
  • Ensuring that the concerns and aspirations of all parties involved are considered can help achieve a sustainable equilibrium.

News Source: The Hindu