Understanding Manipur Blockade

Manipur has been in turmoil because of the blockade called by UNC (United Naga Council) and NSF (Naga Student Federation) which has brought entire state to a halt.  Counter economic blockade, by Meiteis and Kukis to avenge the Nagas, in the valley, has further worsened the situation. The economic blockades in the region have considerable implications and have political ramifications.

This issue to should be understood and analyzed in the light of below questions:

• What is Economic Blockade and how it is different from Embargo?
• Why we hear about so many economic blockades in north east?
• What are various reasons of economic blockades in Manipur?
• Why multi-ethnicity is considered the root cause of all problems in north east?
• How Inner Line Permit Issue creates ethnic strife in Manipur?
• Discuss the immediate cause and timeline of the current blockade.
• What can be done to resolve the crisis?

What is Economic Blockade and how it is different from Embargo?

Economic blockade is forcefully cutting off supplies and communication from a particular area. Economic blockade and embargo are similar terms but difference is that the later is a legal barrier to trade and economic exchanges.

The tactic of economic blockade is used by pressure groups and interest groups for their specific demands.

Why we hear about so many economic blockades in north east?

Economic blockade is used often and is very effective pressure tactics in North East, mainly because of its geography and demography. Most states of North East are located in hilly region, are too diverse on ethnical lines and are land-locked. Only few rivers such as Brahmaputra and Barak provide some means for water transport but that is not much important. These states depend on rail and road transportation for goods and passengers. Thus, any effort of blockade in the region has capability to cripple the ordinary life of the people.

What are various reasons of economic blockades in Manipur?

The economic blockades in Manipur are caused either by civil society groups associated with either Naga or Kuki tribes. We note here that in this state, all the National Highways 2 and 37 pass through an area congested by Kukis and Nagas. Any of them, for their own interest, can cause blockade as an effective means to affect government’s decision making. It is also used as a last option of Pressure Tactics. The economic blockades have been used in the state a means of agitation since 1990s for not only conflicts between the ethnic communities but also for their assertive and re-assertive demands. There are various reasons such as multi-ethnicity, issue of inner line permit, demand for greater Nagalim. However, the reason for recent / current blockade is the reorganization of districts in the states for administrative convenience.  

Why multi-ethnicity is considered the root cause of all problems in north east?

North East India is home to numerous ethnic communities and not a single state out of the seven sisters is free from ethnic strife. This is the reason that sometimes North East is called a “boiling cauldron”. Out of the seven states, Manipur is most vulnerable to ethnic clashes as well as economic blockades. Between 1992 to 1998, the state suffered unabated Kuki-Naga clash. It was then followed by many other clashes including – Meiteis- Muslims clash in 1993, Kuki-Tamil clash in Moreh in 1995, Kuki-Paite clash in 1997-98. In 2005, the age old friendship between Kukis and Meitei was broken and since then, Manipur is one of the most conflict regions in India. Further, the question of merger of Manipur itself in Indian Union has caused immeasurable violence and also violation of human rights.

Demand of Greater Nagalim, which involved ceding part of Manipur to Nagaland, has also been the root of contending pull between Meiteis and Nagas.

How Inner Line Permit Issue creates ethnic strife in Manipur?

Manipur has also been home to violent agitations with those demanding implementation of inner line permit system to protect the “insiders” from unregulated entry of “outsiders”. ILP, as we know, is a kind of quasi-visa system whereby outsiders including Indian citizens need permit to enter Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram. The ILP agitations were started off by Meitei organisations. Many of the Meiteis worry that he number and clout of outsiders in Manipur has reached to alarming level and they will soon outnumber the small communities in the state. To avert any socio, cultural and economic domination by outsiders, they demand for implementation of the ILP or a similar law which may act as a form of restraint to unregulated immigration and also prevent outsiders and companies/industry from taking control over the land and resources.

However, the Kuki organizations opposed ILP movement to spread in their own areas and this led to violent clash in Moreh town. They detest the Meitei expansionism, which according to them, is directed to expel Kukis from state.

Discuss the immediate cause of the current blockade.

Manipur government had issued a gazette notification creating 7 new districts by bifurcating 7 of the states existing 9 districts. This took the number of districts in the state to 16. This was opposed by UNC and other Nagas council (representative of Nagas inhabited area), as it is perceived as an attempt to divide the Naga people because

• The government has said it wants to bifurcate the Senapati district (dominated by Nagas)to give the Sadar hills subdivision the status of a full-fledged district. Since then SADAR hills has virtually been a district with headquarters at Kangpokpi. The UNC sees SADAR hills as a part of the greater homeland for Nagas and views the Kukis as outsiders who have been allowed to live there by the Nagas, thus echoing the sentiments of the Nagas.
• The government did not consult the Hill Area Committees before taking the decision. The Hill Area Committees are formed to protect the rights of hill people, and under Article 371(C) of Constitution, must be consulted on matters relating to tribal people.
• Moreover, Kukis and Meiteis have welcomed the move, which seemed unjust for the Nagas. Thus, further creating alienation among the dissenting parties.

To understand this, we need to have a look on geography and demography of the state. Manipur can be divided into hill districts and valley districts. Prior to creation of the new districts, there were five hill districts dominated by tribals viz. Ukhrul, Senapati, Tamenglong, Churachandpur and Chandel. The four valley districts include Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal and Bishenpur. The valley districts of Imphal East and Imphal West together form Manipur’s capital-Imphal. It is a valley surrounded by hills on all sides where approach roads connect the capital through the two National Highways, 2 and 37. Apart from that there is a 100 km road from Moreh, on the Myanmar border.

While the Meiteis generally dominate valley districts, Kukis and Nagas dominate the hill districts. The valley districts are smaller and have only 30% of the state’s land with a high density of population. The hill districts are sparesly populated. However, valley caters to almost 90% of the population of the state, has a majority of Meiteis. The hills which have 90% of land are mostly the Naga, Kukis and the other hill tribes. Thus, there is an uneven distribution of land and population.

Timeline of Current Blockade

• The UNC launched an indefinite economic blockade on November 1, 2016 over the issue of reorganization of districts. They cut off normal movement of trucks on National Highways 2 and 37.
• On November 15, the state government backed out of a meeting between centre, UNC and state.
• On November 25, top leaders of UNC were arrested and a total shutdown was called for by Naga organization. Meanwhile, in response to a PIL, the Manipur High Court directed the state to provide adequate security to vehicles playing along two national highways; deployment of paramilitary forces to ensure free movement of trucks.
• On December 8, the state cabinet finalized creation of seven new districts with nomenclature of Sadar Hills changed to Kangpokpi. Chief Minister Okram Ibobi says this has been done for administrative convenience, and that creating a district is the prerogative of the government. Next day, the gazette notification is issued. The decision generates sharp reaction from UNC (Nagas) but Meiteis and Kukis accept the move.
• On December 20, the Naga Students Federation (NSF) imposes total blockade on all Manipur-bound vehicles and passengers in all Naga inhabited areas.
• On December 27, the NSF temporarily suspends its eight-day-long total blockade of all Manipur-bound vehicles with immediate effect, taking into consideration the assurance of the Manipur government and at the Centre’s request.
• On December 31, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh makes an assurance that his government will not go back on its decision to create seven new districts.

Impact of the blockade

Transportation has been paralyzed and its evident from the blockage on NH-2 and NH-37 which are lifeline of the valley. And over to that Trans-Asian highway has also not been spared. Essential commodities price have gone up. Coupled with blockage, Demonization drive has further aggravated the demand and supply equation of the region. Poor law and order situation resulting in loss of property and lives.

What can be done to resolve the crisis?

Such crisis have long history in Manipur and their resolution is not easy. The resolution of this crisis needs a comprehensive dialogue between major stakeholders, the State government, groups that support redistricting, the UNC and the Centre. Creation of districts is prerogative of the state, but the demography of the state is such that any such decision cannot please all groups. At this point of time, the Civil society should come forth to create much required cohesion in the conflict torn society.  Towards this, the Goodwill Mission for Peaceful Co-existence, a body constituted by a number of civil society organisations and leaders representing all communities in Manipur, have opened dialogue with the concerned stakeholders. Government should open dialogue with concerned stakeholders to break the ice, and shoot down the heat. For that center can play a pivotal role in defusing the tension by mediating the peace process.  Political apprehension and issues, should be duly addressed for drawing up the peace plan. Moreover, the Hill areas committee under 371C should be positively strengthened up, to tackle any such further problems from escalating till such an extent. Last but not the least, the adequate measures, along the major routes be taken up like adequate armed personal, established line of command with listed standard of procedures, to tackle blockages, which has become a permanent fixture of the region.