The conflict in Manipur holds far-reaching implications beyond the initial causes and the number of casualties. It centers around the deliberate expulsion of the Kuki-Zo minority and the subsequent seizure of their land through ethnic cleansing. Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and the Meiteis, who hold the reins of power, have misused their dominant position and are controlling over the state machinery to unjustly label the Kuki-Zo communities as criminals and assert ownership over their territory.
The situation in Manipur today bears similarities to historical events like the Trail of Tears in the United States, where the dominant white community used its influence to appropriate the lands of minority tribal groups. In the 19th century, the Indian Removal Act forcefully displaced several Native American tribes, including the Cherokee, Choctaw, Creek, Seminole, and Chickasaw, forcing them to relocate to designated Indian Territory, which is now known as Oklahoma. Through political pressure, economic coercion, and military might, the white population, with the support of the U.S. government, orchestrated the relinquishment of ancestral lands by these tribes.
In recent years in Manipur, the Meiteis have employed various strategies to further their agenda, taking advantage of existing Indian and state laws. They have targeted the Kuki-Zo communities, creating divisions, bribing tribal leaders, distorting historical narratives, and stigmatizing the Kuki-Zo people as refugees associated with drug-related terrorism. In an oppressive regime and amidst hate Kuki movement, a dangerous community ideology has emerged, aiming to indoctrinate and radicalize the younger Meiteis generation, thus perpetuating the ongoing conflict.
The Manipur conflict adds to a long list of historical conflicts where dominant communities have capitalized on their power to exploit marginalized groups and seize their lands. Comparable situations include the Congo Free State, the Darfur Conflict, the Bosnian War, and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. These instances illustrate the systematic exploitation of marginalized communities by powerful groups striving for territorial control.
In a departure from historical conflicts, the current war has been rife with an alarming prevalence of falsehoods and disinformation. Deception and fabricated Imphal news have become integral elements, significantly shaping the narrative. Moreover, the Meira Paibis women’s group has taken an intriguing and controversial approach, resorting to the exposure of their bodies as a means of bolstering support for the Meitei militants, thereby gaining a strategic advantage in the war. This convergence of deceit and provocative tactics has added an unconventional dimension to the already complex and volatile.
It is worth noting that the origins of this current Manipur ethnic crisis can be traced back further than Churachandpur in Manipur. Meitei political and revolutionary leaders, supported by their intellectual class, have initiated hidden agenda against Kuki-Zo sometime ago and this played a significant role in initiating this conflict. The involvement of Meiteisl nationalists from Myanmar and Bangladesh further highlights a hidden agenda against the Kuki-Zo communities.
Should this war be resolved through evidence-based discussions and constructive dialogue, it is likely that the Kuki-Zo communities will emerge victorious. Armed with substantial evidence, testimonies, and revelations exposing the hidden agenda of the Meiteis, the Kuki-Zo communities stand a strong chance of success. Conversely, the Meiteis will face considerable challenges as they grapple with the consequences of their deceit and attempts to obscure their communal objectives, ultimately leading to the exposure of their true intentions on the global stage.
