Background
A diverse nation, India, is the epitome of non-violence and tolerance. But, today, with the violence being fueled by the Meiteis and Kukis, two of the prominent tribal groups in Manipur, the Indian landscape has changed. It began with the government of Manipur evicting the Kukis by labelling them as forest trespassers. While the former seeks to gain quotas and reservations booked for itself to get an upper edge in education and opportunities, the latter opposes the same fearing that it will lead to an “unfair advantage”.
Specifically in the political domain, the Meiteis dominate political power in the Manipur Legislative Assembly. Statistical reports are proof that out of 60 seats in the Assembly, 19 seats are reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST), i.e. for Kukis, while 40 are unreserved general constituencies, of which 39 seats were won by Meitei candidates in the last election. Tribal groups have complained that the government spending is unduly centralised in the Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley.
Meghalaya: The Helping Hand
In these grave times, it is Manipur’s neighbour, Meghalaya that has stepped forward to offer a hand of support to the suffering northeastern state.
Chief Minister Conrad K’ongkal Sangma, in light of the steady exodus from the violence-hit state of Manipur to Meghalaya, stated, “It is time for all the people of the region to stand together behind the people of Manipur and support them in whatever way possible.”
He emphasised the need for solidarity as a sister state in the northeast. In light of the concerns constantly being raised by the citizens regarding issues at the locality level where people are coming in large numbers, according to sources a tracking system has already been put into action in Meghalaya. The headmen of the various localities and the district administrations are keeping track of everyone who is coming to Meghalaya from Manipur.
The Chief Minister further appealed to the nation as a whole to take up a lead for its part. His impacting words and hopeful actions are a silver lining in the darkness Manipur is shadowed in.
Way Ahead
After the opposition questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence over the violence witnessed reportedly claiming 110 lives and much hardened ethnic clashes in the Northeastern state Manipur, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Home Affairs, Shri Amit Shah has called upon a meeting to be conducted on June 24, 2024.
He tweeted, “Union Home Minister Shri @AmitShah has convened an all-party meeting on 24th June at 3 PM in New Delhi to discuss the situation in Manipur.”
It is expected from the Home Minister to brief opposition leaders and allies on the situation at hand and collectively lend a hand to the victims facing the wrath of death, distance and displacement in Manipur.
