Despite the selected targeting of the Hmar, Kuki, and Zomi tribes by the Meitei community, with the alleged support of state forces since May 2023, Manipur’s crisis has been reported in the media as ‘Meitei vs. Kuki/Kuki-Zo’ clash. https://thewire.in/politics/manipur-how-misrepresentation-of-hmar-and-zomi-people-made-them-invisible-in-the-conflict
In 1997, the continual imposition of Kuki identity on smaller tribes resulted in a large-scale conflict between the Kuki and Zomi, leading to death of hundreds, displacement of thousands, and impeding generational economic progress. This implies that self-identification of tribes must be seriously taken into account.
22/01/2025