Chequered history: A look at violent and deadly clashes in Manipur

Manipur, which has over 35 communities inhabiting the valleys and hills of the state, has a chequered history of violent and deadly clashes.

NSCN-IM
Integration of Naga-inhabited areas of Northeast is the core demand of NSCNIM which has been holding peace parleys with the Centre. There was violent protest in Manipur in 2001 when the cease fire agreement signed between the Government of India and NSCN IM was extended.


Naga-Kuki Fight
The Kukis are hill tribes spread across the Northeast besides Myanmar and the Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh. On September 13, 1993, militants of National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak Muivah) massacred around 115 Kuki civilians in the hills of Manipur. However, NSCN-IM refuted the allegation.

The rivalry between Nagas and Kuki started in the colonial era. In 1990 there were clashes over land. Kukis often claimed 350 of their villages were uprooted, over 1,000 killed and 10,000 were people displaced. Chins are called Kukis on the Indian side.

Meitei Pangal and Meiteis
In 1993 there were clashes between Meitei Pangal (Muslim) and Meitei. A bus carrying Muslim passengers was set on fire. Over 100 people were killed.

Insurgency
Manipur had scores of militant outfits and violence was largely triggered by insurgents.

The NSCN-IM entered a ceasefire agreement with the Government of India in 1997.

Valley-based militant outfits (Meitei groups) such as the UNLF, PLA, KYKL etc. are yet to come to the negotiating table.

The Kuki outfits under two umbrella groups, the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United People’s Front (UPF), also signed the tripartite Suspension of Operation (SoO) pacts with the Centre and Manipur on August 22, 2008.

Hill and Valley
The current conflict between Meiteis and ‘tribals’ is the extension of hills versus plains conflict. Meiteis account for 53% of the population, while tribal communities account for around 40% of the population. Naga tribes make up for (24%) and Kuki/Zomi tribes (16%).