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Manipur’s Ethnic Conflict
Context
The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) — a major organisation representing the Kuki-Zo tribal communities in Manipur — has announced that May 3 will be observed annually as ‘Separation Day’. This is to mark what they call “two years of total separation” from the Meitei community, following a violent ethnic conflict that began on May 3, 2023.
About Manipur’s Ethnic Conflict
- Ethnic Composition of Manipur: Manipur is home to multiple ethnic groups:
- Meiteis: Mostly reside in the Imphal Valley, form a majority (~53% of the population), and are predominantly Hindu.
- Kuki-Zo and Naga Tribals: Mostly live in the hill districts, are Christian by faith, and have Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
- Triggering Incident (ST Demand by Meiteis)
- The conflict began when the Meitei community demanded Scheduled Tribe status, citing historical disadvantages.
- This was opposed by tribal communities, who feared that Meiteis — with political dominance and access to the Valley — would gain land rights in the hills, threatening tribal autonomy and land security.
- A tribal solidarity march organized on May 3, 2023, in protest against this demand led to clashes that soon spiraled into widespread violence, arson, killings, and forced displacements.
- Territorial Division: Since the outbreak of violence, Meitei and Kuki-Zo populations have remained physically separated. The ITLF’s term “total separation” reflects this de facto partition, where:
- Meiteis avoid hill areas.
- Kukis avoid the Valley.
- The idea of 'Separation Day' reflects a symbolic hardening of this division.
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