During the Wednesday Tribal Solidarity March, which was sponsored by the All Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM) in opposition to the Meiteis’ demand, trouble broke out in the Torbung neighbourhood of Churachandpur district. Members of the Meitei community were allegedly attacked during the march by an armed crowd, which led to reprisals in the valley districts.
Source: The Sentinel Assam
The Meiteis make up 53% of the state’s population, while the tribal population, which includes the Nagas and Kukis, makes up around 40% of the total. The former live in the valley region, while the latter are mainly found in the hill districts.
The problem was allowed to get out of hand by the current state government and its predecessors. When the Meitei demanded ST status last month, the Manipur High Court ordered the state administration to give a recommendation to the federal government within four weeks.
The Manipur government received a letter from the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs in 2013 requesting for a specific recommendation along with the latest socio-economic survey and ethnographic report. However, the state’s previous Congress administration did not take the necessary action, and the BJP-led coalition, which has been in power since 2017, has similarly permitted the delicate matter to fester.
Giving the tribal community, who is concerned that its employment and educational chances would decrease once the Meiteis are added to the ST list, a sympathetic ear will help diffuse the tense situation. The Meitei community’s desires and expectations must also be properly taken into account.
Source: East Mojo
The BJP should go above and above to bring peace and public order back to Manipur now that it has grown to be a significant player in the North-East. The state government must come up with a solution that all parties can agree on in collaboration with the federal government. Through the peaceful cohabitation of numerous communities in Manipur, or for that matter in any state across the nation, sustainable economic progress and social stability can be guaranteed.
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