Amidst a lull of the violent conflict that brokeout on May 3, 2023 in Churachandpur district and its bordering areas of Bishnupur district where Kuki-Zomi militants started their attacks on Meitei civilians with burning down of houses and destroying properties to ashes or dusts to dominate the geographical areas as their exclusive territory, the issue relating to creation of districts where all the ethnic groups of Manipur have their stakes is now brewing up.
While the violent conflict between the Kuki-Zomi militants and Meiteis has been continuing for almost 18 months since May 3 last year, the United Naga Council (UNC) has renewed its demand to roll back the creation of new seven districts of Manipur by the Government of Manipur on December 8, 2016 with intesified moves calling for a 48-hour shutdown from midnight of October 3, 2024.
The UNC had on September 11, 2024 sent an ultimatum to Union Home Minister Amit Shah for redressal of the pending issue of the creation of seven new districts of Manipur in 2016 and warned of intense agitation if the matter was not resolved within 15 days.
In the letter to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah through the District Commissioner, Senapati district on September 11, UNC President Ng Lorho and General Secretary Vareiyo Shatsang stated that there had been social unrest in the state of Manipur in the backdrop of arbitrary creation of seven new districts by bifurcating parent districts on December 8, 2016 during the Congress regime without the informed consent and knowledge of the stakeholders – dishonouring the four memoranda between Government of Manipur (GoM) and the Naga people and the assurance from the Government of India (GoI) in 2011, that no decision would be taken without consulting all sections of the people and all stakeholders, including Naga bodies representing the Nagas.
The UNC reminded that consequent upon the creation of seven new districts, a massive protest including an economic blockade was launched in all the National Highways for 139 days in the State. The UNC further stated that as many as 10 (ten) rounds of Tripartite Talks amongst the Government of Manipur (GoM), United Naga Council (UNC) and Government of India (Gol) had taken place to redress the issue, the last talk being held on March 9, 2019 with the assurance that concrete proposal shall be placed by the government of Manipur in the next round of talk supposedly proposed to be held by the last week of July 2019. They also stated that the Union Home Minister is aware of this.
“In this regard, the United Naga Council has made its stance loud and clear through media outlets, reiterating their rigid position against the arbitrary, undemocratic and divisive declaration of 7 new Districts on 8th December 2016 by the then Government of Manipur,” the UNC said. The UNC also asserted that subsequent decision or any rulings passed by any institution or authority on the matter stands rejected.
The UNC said that in light of the above, a missive has been sent to the office of the Special Secretary (erstwhile Jt. Secretary), Northeast, MHA, GOl for resumption of the tripartite talk on January 22, 2024 and a prompt reminder on February 23, 2024.
“However, a reply either in affirmation or negation is yet to be responded to the aggrieved party i.e. the United Naga Council”, the UNC said, adding that, in view of this, the United Naga Council in its COUNCIL ASSEMBLY held on 29th May 2024 and the subsequent Presidential Council meeting of the UNC held on August 9, 2024 had unanimously resolved to launch an intense agitation to ensure that seven districts created on December 8, 2016 are rolled back and reinstated to status quo in the spirit of four standing MoUs and assurance of the GoI.
Following the UNC announcement for an intesified agitation to meet their demand, an inconclusive tripartite talk between the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) representing Government of India (GOI), Government of Manipur (GOM) and the Naga bodies was held in New Delhi on October 12, 2024 on the UNC’s demand to roll back the creation of the seven new districts in 2016.
During the tripartite talks on October 12, it was decided that the next round of talks will be held on November 15, 2024, in Senapati district.
It may be noted that the UNC earlier announced on October 2 the temporary suspension of its 48-hour shutdown from midnight of October 3 in support of their demand after they recieved the MHA’s invitation for the tripartite talks.
Meanwhile, in a significant development, the Kuki-Zomi community has expressed support for the Manipur-based United Naga Council’s (UNC) demand to rollback the “arbitrary creation” of seven new districts in the state in December 2016 and the reinstatement of the status quo.
The World Kuki-Zo Intellectual Council (WKZIC), in a memorandum submitted to President Droupadi Murmu on October 13, 2024, demanded a rollback of the creation of all the new districts of Manipur after 1972, and a return to the original names prior to 1972 for ‘Justice’ for all the three communities – Meitei, Kuki-Zo and Nagas – in Manipur.
Signed by five leaders of WKZIC including its President T.S. Haokip, Vice-President (Extl) Mawi Sinate, Vice-President (Adm) ST Khaimang, Vice-President (C&C) L Tunta Ngaihte and Consultant HH Mate, the memorandum sought the President’s intervention to solve the long-pending “political issues and imbroglios” of Kukis, Meiteis, and Nagas in Manipur.
The WKZIC memorandum said that the blood related Zo ethnic Kukis fully endorsed and support the demand of United Naga Council (UNC)’s “Rolling back of all newly created districts” on the basis of ‘1972 Status of Manipur’, where there were only’6(six) Autonomous Districts’ in Manipur vide. 18/1/71-SC, Govt. of Manipur, Secretariat Order, dated, the 14th February 1972.
The six District Councils were Manipur North, Sadar Hills, Manipur East, Tengnoupal, Manipur South and Manipur West.
However, the memorandum cited as if there were six districts. Even though Sadar Hills had a district council for its administrative convenience, it was not a district but under Manipur North district.
“Rolling back of all the new 10 districts of Manipur created after 1972, and re-christeningback to its original names prior to 1972 shall bring ‘JUSTICE’ for all the 3 (three) communities of Meitei, Kuki and Manipuri Naga respectively,” the WKZIC said.
“As far as Manipur issue is concerned on bloodline and ethnicity, the majority MEITES claimed TANGKHULS as their elder brother and vice-versa. As such grouping them together alongwith allinterested minorities under ‘One Administrative Division’, called MANIPUR and grouping together allthe remaining blood related Chin-Kukigroups into ‘Another Administrative Division’ known as KUKILAND which was demanded from 1947 under the Kuki National Assembly (KNA), in the form of STATE under Article 3 or Union Territories, under Articles 239, 239A and 240 respectively of the ‘Indian Constitution’ shall definitely solve the long pending ‘Political Issues & Imbroglios’ of Manipur… ,” the WKZIC memorandum urges.
From the recent developments on the issue of creation of districts in Manipur, it is apparent that there is a strong current for balkanisation of Manipur on ethnic lines and assertion of ethnic identity politics which will bring into all the ethnic groups into play. The WKZIC supports the demand of the UNC to rollback the creation of new seven districts with a greater political move to achieve their Kukiland dream balkanising Manipur.
Senior Editor: Imphal Review of Arts and Politics
