Manipur has not yet returned to normal even 10 months after the ethnic conflict started
Imphal/Guwahati:
Ten Naga MLAs in Manipur have demanded the appointment of a new minister to look after tribal affairs and hill affairs amid the disruption caused by ethnic violence in the state bordering restive Myanmar.
In a letter to Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, the Naga MLAs said Tribal Affairs and Hills Minister Letpao Haokip has been “absent” for the last 10 months and the department is important for bringing peace in Manipur.
Mr Haokip is among the 10 Kuki-Zo MLAs who are demanding a separate administration from Manipur, a demand the Kuki-Zo rebel group has also been in talks with the Center for long.
The 10 Kuki-Zo MLAs are facing criticism from their own community for supporting the ruling BJP government led by Biren Singh, whom the Kuki-Zo tribe holds responsible for the violence.
Following clashes between the hill-majority Kuki-Zo tribes and the valley-majority Maiteis in May 2023, Kuki-Zo civil society groups such as the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) and the Committee of Tribal Unity (COTU) also called for a separate administration. Joined the call.
This single demand has brought rebel groups, 10 Kuki-Zo MLAs and civil society groups on the same page.
“As you are aware of the hardships being caused to the innocent citizens of Manipur due to the unrest taking place in our State, in this hour of crisis, we would like to appeal to you to please pay attention to the matter of functioning of the Tribal Affairs and Hills Department. , which has become inactive due to the absence of the minister for the last 10 months,” the 10 Naga MLAs said in a letter to the chief minister.
“It is relevant to state that this department is becoming more important in this hour of crisis to look after the needs and development of the tribal and hilly areas of the state to bring overall peace and progress in the state,” the Naga MLAs said. “Therefore, we would like to request you to appoint a Tribal Affairs and Hills Minister in-charge to look after the affairs of the tribals and hills efficiently and effectively,” he said.
The 10 Naga MLAs are Awangbow Newmai, Khashim Vashum, Loshii Dikho, N Kayisii, Leishiyo Keishing, Janghemlung Panmei, SS Olish, Ram Muivah, J Kumo Sha, and Dinganglung Gangmei.
The Kukis had fought with the Nagas in the early 90s when the Nagas accused them of encroaching on their land. Many people from both the tribes were killed in that conflict. The Nagas living in the border town of Moreh eventually left the area en masse, while the Kukis, who shared ethnic and familial ties with the Chin people of Myanmar, remained and became the dominant community.
Naga tribes live in many hill districts of Manipur, most of which are in the east and north-east part of the state.
Violence has been going on in Manipur for almost 10 months over disagreements over land, resources, political representation and affirmative action policies.
More than 200 people have been killed and thousands have been internally displaced.
