In the early 90s, there was a huge population shift as a result of Naga-Kuki clashes which rocked Manipur for about a year. As the communal conflict between Naga Lim Guard and Kuki Defence Force raged on, thousands of Kukis settled in Naga dominated areas sought shelter in Kuki dominated areas in the vicinity of Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Moreh.
Hundreds of innocent villagers on both sides were killed and several villagers laid to waste. Kangpokpi and Moreh became major grouping centres for the Kuki refugees and several new villages sprung up, while Nagas remain in their original habitat. Previously, the settlement pattern of the Kukis was such that for every major Naga village there was a Kuki village adjacent to it.
However after the Naga-Kuki clash, a massive population shift occurred. In Churachandpur district, the Paites or Zomis were in majority and the newly arrived Kukis had to settle in the outskirts of Churachandpur proper and along the highways leading to Churachandpur town.
Ultimately, these new settlements and a struggle for dominance became one of the causes of the Kuki-Paite conflict later on. Churachandpur district is mostly inhabited by a number of tribes from the Chin-Kuki-Mizo group, but the Paites are in majority. On the other hand, Nagas was driven off from Moreh area while the Kuki population increased in leaps and bounds.
Meiteis were among the first settlers of the two border outposts of Moreh and Jiribam, as there was frequent interactions between Manipur and Cachar in the west and with the Burmese in the east. In fact, these two border outposts served as the gateway forentry points for people coming from Nongchup Haram and Nongpok Haram.
The Meitei settlement in Churachandpur is in fact very old and it so happened that the present Churachandpur town and its market grew around this old settlement. History bears testimony to it. As the present communal conflict unfolded, Meitei settlements in Churachandpur and Moreh had been laid to waste while Jiribam remain largely untouched by the conflict.
While the Meiteis fled for their lives as violence and attacks began in these two towns, their houses were burnt to cinders and their properties including land had since been taken over by the Kukis while the Meitei villages settled in the foothills continue to be under perpetual threat from the Kukis in what is now Kangpokpi district.
Now, they are openly saying that these two towns are bereft of Meitei population. Then comes the demand for a separate administration for the Kuki-Chin groups. So ultimately, one does not need go to great lengths to see through the grand design and conspiracy by the Kukis for balkanisation of the state on ethnic lines behind the present conflict.
Another outcome of the grand design which they had in mind was to take along the Nagas in the name of tribal solidarity to crush the Meitei spirit for all times sake.
However, it has not succeeded as Nagas themselves were also victims of the unfettered illegal migration from the eastern front. It seems the Nagas do not perceive the ST demand of the Meiteis as an immediate threat as projected by the Kukis.
For them, the problem of illegal migration and demographic imbalance caused by it in the state is more important and urgent.
Nagas are by nature politically astute and they always look at the larger picture while not being easily swayed by short-term gains. One may differ with Naga political aspirations in the context of Manipur’s territorial integrity. However, one cannot but appreciate the patience and doggedness of the Naga nationalists in pursuing their dream.
