Manipur Violence

The narrative of continuous immigration of KukiZo communities from Myanmar, was heard commonly across testimonies by Meitei deponents. However it was found by the jury from a study of data, that the allegation of population influx raised by Meiteis and also propagated by the political leadership, holds little ground. 

Another contending narrative was the involvement of Kukis in poppy cultivation: in fact the key players came from different communities, especially those who occupied key government and bureaucratic positions. , 

The Report highlights that the violence was not spontaneous, but planned, ethnically targeted and facilitated by state failures. The state government downplayed the violence, made no significant arrests of radical groups like that of the Arambai Tenggol and Meitei Leepun.

The jury found the relief and rehabilitation measures for the violence-struck communities in Manipur, grossly inadequate, delayed and unevenly distributed. 

The report calls on India’s Judiciary, Parliament and civil society to reclaim this duty and ensure that Manipur does not become a template for future impunity. Towards this, access to justice needs to be ensured for all and a permanent bench of the Manipur High Court needs to be established in the hill region.

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https://www.khalvontawi.in/2025/05/rss-to-flag-off-chalo-manipur-march.html 

The Rashtrahit Sarvopari Sangathan (RSS) and around 50 Hindu organisations have raised "Chalo Manipur" slogan for "lakhs across the country to go to Kuki areas and rehabilitate displaced Meiteis in their original homes" .

Sohan Giri, founder National president of Rashtrahit Sarvopari Sangathan : For peace to return to Manipur, the RSS leader placed four demands, unanimously adopted by the organisations, before the Government. Sohan Giri said that the Government must update the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur, allow safe return of displaced citizens to their original places, take strong and decisive action against terror activities, and secure the National Highways of Manipur which are vital lifelines for her people. On the need for NRC, Giri asserted that the unchecked and growing issue of illegal immigration has deeply disturbed the demographic structure and it poses longterm threats to the identity and rights of indigenous communities. The Government must implement the NRC in Manipur at the earliest. This is vital to safeguard the rights of the native people and ensure a just and lawful population record, 

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. 

by Suanmuanlian Tonsing

22/01/2025