On The Radar: What's behind India's Manipur violence?

India's isolated and rugged state of Manipur has again been shaken by ethnic violence, killing dozens and displacing thousands more.

What's actually going on there?

Ethnic violence has engulfed India's northeastern Manipur state since early May.  More than 100 people have been killed and tens of thousands displaced.

So, can New Delhi bring peace to this often-overlooked part of the country?

Manipur is a small northeastern state in India, sandwiched between Bangladesh and Myanmar and has long been marred by political violence.

This rugged region has suffered through insurgencies, counterinsurgencies, ethnic tensions, and clashes between armed groups and security forces. Despite efforts to bring peace and stability, Manipur continues to be a serious headache for Delhi, where the Modi government has no appetite for a troublesome and restive state with dreams of breaking away.

So, what’s the basis and the background to the current violence?

History: Once a so-called “Princely state” Manipur's political turmoil can be traced back to its annexation by the British in 1891, which led to a gradual erosion of indigenous autonomy and sparked a sense of discontent among the Manipuri people. It very nearly became part of Burma in the 1930s, and only officially joined the Indian union in 1949 following Indian independence. Since then, dissent and demands for self-determination have continued largely unabated.

Insurgency and Armed Groups: Manipur is home to numerous insurgent groups. These groups often champion ethno-nationalist causes, demanding greater autonomy or outright secession from India. The United National Liberation Front (UNLF), the People's Liberation Army (PLA), and the Revolutionary People's Front (RPF) are some of the prominent insurgent groups operating in the state.

Government response and Human Rights: In response to the insurgency, the Indian government has deployed security forces in Manipur to maintain law and order. However, the heavy-handed approach adopted by security forces has often resulted in allegations of human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and torture. From 1980 to 2004 Manipur was classified as a “disturbed area”, and the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, or AFSPA has given the Indian Armed Forces wide-ranging powers including the use of lethal force against any lawbreaker in the state.

The behaviour of the Indian Army has fuelled resentment among the local population and provided recruitment fodder for insurgent groups. Indian Army units in Manipur are again working under “shoot on sight” orders to quell the latest fighting.

Ethnic Tensions: Manipur is home to several ethnic communities, including the Meiteis, Nagas, Kukis, and Pangals, each with its own distinct cultural and historical background. Ethnic tensions and competition for resources, political representation, and territorial claims have often flared up, exacerbating the climate of violence in the state. Clashes between different ethnic groups have led to cycles of reprisal attacks and further deepened societal divisions. This is exactly the circumstance fuelling the current crisis.

2023 Tribal Anger: The current violence is occurring largely between three groups: The Meitei, the Naga, and the Kuku.
The Meitei are Hindu, mainly based in the state capital Imphal, and number more than 50% of the state population of around 3.5 million

The Naga and Kuku make up another 40%, and are Christian tribes that have a “scheduled tribe“ status, allowing them to own land, mainly in the state’s rugged hill country

The central issue behind the conflict is the attempt by the Meitei to gain “scheduled” status, giving them the same access to government jobs, educational opportunities, and a host of other benefits.

The Kuku and Naga tribes believe the Meitei already control a large amount of state politics, and should not be given access to buy land.       

Development Impacts: The persistent political violence in Manipur has taken a significant toll on the state's development and economic growth. The lack of infrastructure development, educational opportunities, and healthcare facilities have further marginalised the region, perpetuating a cycle of violence and underdevelopment. The cultivation and sale of opium poppies in the state is also a background factor, with criminal gangs working freely in some areas. Manipur has recently been described as the “new golden triangle”.

Prospects for Peace: Addressing the deep-rooted issues in Manipur requires a multifaceted approach. Firstly, a sincere dialogue between the government and insurgent groups is vital to identify and address the underlying causes of conflict. This dialogue should focus on issues of governance, political representation, resource sharing, and cultural preservation. Right now, an inter-ethnic dialogue seems a long way off. 

But perhaps the bigger issue for the Modi government and the BJP-dominated state government is repairing the bitter relationship between the security forces and local communities, emphasising the importance of human rights, and accountability.

- Asia Media Centre