Majoritarianism in Manipur

On the night of 7 October 2015 in New Delhi, several tribal protestors were arrested. Their protest was organised as a show of solidarity for the agitations by indigenous hill tribes in Manipur against the passing of three bills in the state. Collectively, these bills – Protection of Manipur Peoples Bill, Manipur Land Revenue & Land Reforms Bill (seventh amendment) and Manipur Shop & Establishment (second amendment) – work against tribal rights and interests in the state. The motive for an indefinite protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi from 4 November onwards (which continues even now in April 2016), under the aegis of Manipur Tribal Forum, Delhi (MTFD), was to draw attention of the powers that be at the Centre who have, so far, been silent on the issue. The killing of nine tribals in Churachandpur district of Manipur because of police reprisals against the agitations in the district was another reason for the indefinite 'coffin protest' at Jantar Mantar.

On the night of 31 August 2015, right after the bills were passed in an emergency legislative assembly session in Manipur, angry protestors marched towards the houses of their district representatives, torching one after the other. The violence began at the residence of the then Health Minister Phungzathang Tonsing followed by attacks on five other residences, including Member of Parliament Thangso Baite's house. A deep sense of betrayal was the tinder that lit the fires.  Ministers in the state assembly, despite incessant appeals by tribal groups such as the All Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM) to either speak about the hill people's concerns or oppose the bills strongly, chose to remain indifferent. All three bills were passed swiftly without any opposition.