Guwahati: The conflict in Manipur that had erupted in May 2023 between the majority Meitei and minority Kuki-Zo tribes and later expanded to the hills involving the Nagas and Kukis seems to be taking shape of a “united f…

Guwahati: The conflict in Manipur that had erupted in May 2023 between the majority Meitei and minority Kuki-Zo tribes and later expanded to the hills involving the Nagas and Kukis seems to be taking shape of a “united fight” for National Register of Citizens (NRC) with the Kukis as the target. Meiteis have demanded the NRC since 1980s complaining that Manipur witnessed “unnatural growth” of population due to “illegal migration” of the Kukis from neighbouring Myanmar. DH Interview | Baseless charges can fuel Naga-Kuki discord: Manipur Dy CM Nemcha KipgenThe demand, however, got an impetus recently when Nagas too extended support seeking update of the NRC with 1951 as the base year. Both Nagas and Meiteis claim that demographic change have posed a threat to identity of the “indigenous” communities. The two communities are now talking in almost similar voice against the Kukis despite having difference over the dream of the Nagas for “integration” of Naga-inhabited areas across the Northeast and parts of Myanmar. The consistent agitation and sporadic incident of gunfight forced the Centre to postpone the Census exercise on August 31. This, however, did not relent the agitation as the Centre has remained undecided over the NRC demand. The Census, although is not a citizenship exercise, many fears that the next delimitation exercise could consider the Census data having implications on the population dynamics of the constituencies. “The agitation will intensify and continue till the Centre announce about updating the NRC,” said Shanta Singh Nahakpam, a leader of 14 valley-based organisations. Losii Dikho, a Deputy Chief Minister representing the Nagas on September 2 told DH that NRC is the only safeguard for the Nagas and the Meiteis and end the conflict in Manipur. Concern of the Kukis: Kukis, on the other hand, have challenged the demand for NRC saying it has no legal basis given the fact that it is a national exercise and can’t be state-specific. “The NRC was updated only in Assam as per the Assam Accord. NRC was not successful in Assam. After knowing the failure why would the government want to commit the same mistake?” Ginza Vualzong, spokesperson of Kuki Zo Council, an apex body of Kukis engaged in talks with the government, told DH. He feared that 1951 cut-off could exclude many Kukis as many hill villages remained undocumented due to remoteness and lack of roads. Many Meitei experts, however, reject the claim that all Kukis are illegal migrants as Meiteis, Kukis and Nagas had lived together in Manipur before 1951 too. 306 killed, 49 missing in ethnic violence since May 2023: Manipur HM Govindas Konthoujam tells assemblyManipur Assembly on Wednesday, for the third time since 2022, passed a resolution urging the Centre to update the NRC. Nemcha Kipgen, another Deputy CM, who virtually attended the Session, however, said she expected “complete neutrality” by the Centre while acting on the growing demand for NRC.Politics over NRC: Manipur is also witnessing a rare political unity among ruling BJP and the Opposition Congress on the NRC demand given the growing clamour for the same in the Valley and in the Naga-dominated hill districts. The stand is significant as the parties are bracing up for the Assembly polls next year.

Source: Deccan Herald