Meiteis’ bid for Scheduled Tribe status fuels tensions, while State government deliberates
In the midst of escalating ethnic clashes between the Meiteis and the Kuki-Zomi people in Manipur, the State government finds itself grappling with the decision of whether to recommend Meiteis for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. This development emerged during the proceedings before a Division Bench of the Manipur High Court at Imphal, as per submissions made on Tuesday.
The Division Bench, comprising Justices Ahanthem Bimol Singh and A. Guneshwar Sharma, was convened to hear an appeal against a previous order by a single-judge Bench on March 27. The earlier order directed the State government to recommend Meiteis for inclusion on the ST list, adding fuel to the ongoing controversy.
While the case awaits resolution, the Kuki-Zomi people and the Naga people in the State have been actively protesting against the order since its public announcement on April 19. Regrettably, the tensions escalated into violence on May 3, resulting in the loss of over 100 lives, hundreds of injuries, and tens of thousands being internally displaced.
Statistics indicate that the conflict has had a devastating impact on the region, underscoring the urgency for a resolution. In the aftermath of the March 27 order, the appeal was filed by the All Manipur Tribal Union, representing the interests of various tribes in the State.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, the Union Tribal Affairs Ministry, represented by a Deputy Solicitor General of India, informed the court that it would not be filing any objections against the appeal. However, advocates representing the State government expressed the need for additional time before presenting their stance. They highlighted the necessity of receiving instructions from the State government on whether it intends to file an objection.
Surprisingly, it has been more than a month since the appeal was lodged, raising concerns about the delays in addressing the issue. Meanwhile, the Meitei Tribes Union (MTU), one of the respondents in the case, sought a week’s extension to prepare their objections to the appeal.
The MTU was the organization that initially approached the Manipur High Court, seeking a directive for the Meiteis’ inclusion on the ST list. Their involvement underscores the significance of this matter for the Meitei community and the potential implications for the broader socio-cultural landscape of Manipur.
As tensions continue to mount, the decision on whether to recommend Meiteis for Scheduled Tribe status remains uncertain, leaving the State government with a crucial choice that could shape the region’s future dynamics.