The Real cause of Conflict
A high court direction to the state government on the inclusion of Meiteis in the Scheduled Tribes category is the latest cause of the violent situation. Seeking an ST tag, the Meiteis have said they are facing difficulties due to “large-scale illegal immigration by Myanmarese and Bangladeshis”. The tribals, including Nagas, Zomis, and Kukis, have opposed this and held protests to “protect tribal interests”.
Social causes for violence
1.Institutionalization of communal bodies in state - which are backed by political parties.
2.Identity crisises - fear that grating ST status to meitei tribes would encroach upon thier rights, resources and threaten thier identity and culture
3.Cultural chavuinism and communal chivalry - notion of stigmatization and stereotypical prejudice that being attached to minorities like Pangals ( muslims )
4.State failure - union government failure to close peace talk,security lapse and intelligence failure
5.Death of civil society - limited civil society space gradually been replaced by loosely organised violent crowds that engage in mob Lynch
5.Drug trafficking and cross border crime - the proximity to the golden triangle made Manipur vulnerable, this illegal activities fuel violence and social unrest in the region
6.Relative deprivation - high unemployment rates and inadequate access of basic services
7.Identity politics - political power based on ethnic identities have contributed to inter-ethnic tensions and conflict.
8.Separatist insurgency - Meiteis who felt thier identification with Hindu india brought them no political and economic benefits
9.Ethnic strife and religious divide - entire state policy remains polarised along ethnic lines and locals perceive that domination by outsiders is largely affecting thier social growth
10.Ethnic sub-nationalism - ethnic allegiance and identity have historically been in conflict with mainstream nationalism.
🔸Consolidation efforts by different tribal entities are creating subterranean pressures
Social implications of Manipur violence
1.Resurgence of ultra-nationalistic tendencies - open confrontation can be seen between Meitei nationalsim and Naga ultra-radicalism.
2.Erosion of social fabric - inter-ethnic tensions fear and mistrust among communities have deepened, hindering social cohesion
3.Humanitarian crisis - violence induced displacement and sense of insecurity.
4.Political instability in state, brain drain and youth disillusionment
5.Weakening social cohesion and harmony - shoot st sight order , curfew and bandhas it distrupt the social order
6.Weakening of composite culture - recent ethnic violence in Manipur remind that such wide integration is not as complete as beloved.
