Why is Manipur's conflict called 'ethnic conflict'?
Why is Manipur's conflict called 'ethnic conflict'?On May 3, 2023, serious ethnic violence took place in Manipur, a state in north-eastern India. This violence has shaken not only Manipur, but the entire north-east region. This violence took place between two major communities of this state, Meitei and Kuki. The Meitei community is in majority in the valley of Manipur, while the Kukis are settled in the hilly areas of the state. There was a long-standing dispute between these two communities over land, identity and cultural issues, which now came out in the form of violence.This conflict grew so rapidly that the Union home Ministry had to define it as "ethnic conflict". The growing insurgency and ethnic conflict in Manipur have created a threat of instability in the entire north-eastern India. According to the home Ministry report, 77% of the total violence in the north-eastern region in 2023 was from Manipur. From 2021 to 2023, the number of ethnic conflicts increased in Manipur, which not only affected the political situation of the state but also created a social and cultural crisis.Question - What is racial violence?Answer- To understand racial violence, it is important that we know the meaning of the words "racial" and "violence". Racial violence is the type of violence that occurs between two or more ethnic or racial groups. In this, another community exhibits hatred, discrimination, oppression and uproar against one community. The cause of this violence is often related to geographical boundaries, cultural identity, religious beliefs and political interests. The violence that arose between the Meitei community and the Kuki tribes in Manipur can be called "racial violence" because it was caused by disputes surrounding ethnic identity, land rights and social practices.