The ethnic clashes that broke out in Manipur in May 2023 were ostensibly
due to Kuki opposition to the demand by the dominant Meiteis for Scheduled
Tribe status. Kukis, and other tribal groups, claim that this would eat into their
meagre entitlements. In turn, the Kukis as a group have been branded 'illegal
immigrants', blamed for the proliferation of poppy cultivation, and accused of
'narcoterrorism'.
Conflicts between ethnic groups are not new in Manipur. But the violence in
2023, which killed hundreds and displaced tens of thousands, was shocking for
the sheer viciousness on display. Any effort to find explanations to this conflict
only throws up more questions.
Why is there such anger in the people of the state? Is this a religious or an ethnic
conflict? Why were the police and paramilitary forces-of which huge numbers
are deployed in Manipur-unable to stop the violence? What role did chauvinist
Meitei organizations like Arambai Tenggol play in the violence? Why did it take
several months for India's national leadership to break their silence on the issue?
Is there really a problem of illegal immigration into Manipur from Myanmar?
Who are the Kuki-Zo people? Are they to blame for the drug menace in the
state, as claimed by the Meiteis? What have the state and central governments
done to prevent drug trafficking in the region? Does anyone benefit from what is
happening?
In this urgent book, Nandita Haksar explores with clarity and insight, and also
courage, a complex geopolitical problem, exposing the hypocrisy of identity
politics in Manipur, never losing sight of those that have suffered-and continue
to suffer-the most in this conflict.