ITLF asks Why Kuki-Meitei clashes not before BJP government

Imphal: The Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), a prominent tribal organization in Manipur, has raised several questions regarding the nearly six-month-old ethnic clashes between the Kuki and Meitei communities in the northeastern state.

ITLF asked: “Why were there no clashes between the majority Meitei and Kuki-zo tribes in all the years before the BJP and CM Biren Singh came to power?”
The ITLF asked the question in a statement on Tuesday (October 24), citing RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s comment that “Meiteis and Kuki have been living together for a long time”. .

“RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat asks a very pertinent question on communal violence in Manipur: Who actually fueled the conflict?” ITLF asked.
It added: “Why did Meiti’s fight become clearer and sharper during Biren Singh’s tenure?”
Manipur’s tribal organization further questioned Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh’s role during the violence in the state.

“Why have gun-toting and hate-mongering radical groups like Arambai Tenggol and Meitei Leepun suddenly gained prominence in the past few years?” he questioned.
The tribal organization also questioned why the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) was recently lifted only in the valley areas and not in the hill districts of Manipur.
“Why was AFSPA removed only in Meitei-dominated districts recently and not in tribal areas? This is surprising because government-designated terrorist groups are operating in the Imphal Valley while armed groups in the hills are active in the state and the Centre. are suspending operations with,” ITLF asked.
It may be mentioned here that while the majority Meiteis live in the valley regions of Manipur, the Kukis are in majority in the hilly districts of the state.
More than 180 people have been killed and hundreds injured since communal violence erupted in Manipur on May 3 when a tribal solidarity march was held in the hill districts to protest against the Scheduled Tribe (ST) of the majority Meitei community. A protest can be made against the demand for rating.
The Meiteis constitute about 53% of Manipur’s population and live mostly in the valley regions of the state.

On the other hand, tribals like Nagas and Kukis constitute a little more than 40 percent and live in hilly districts.