By Konjengbam Kameshore
The silent demographic influx (DI) of Imphal valley has been going on since the last several years without any hindrance given by the Meitei/Meetei community who has no other land except this valley. Manipur has an area of 22,327 sq km. with a population of 2,721,756 (2011 Census) and out of this only a landmass measuring about 2,238 sq km. is in the valley which is ten percent of the total area. This ten percent area is again shared not only with various tribals coming down from the hills but also with Manipuri Muslims, Nepalis, Bengalis, Biharis etc. There’re about three hundred tribal villages in the valley. The Kabui Rongmei alone has sixty six villages in different parts of the valley including the heart of Imphal city itself (since time immemorial).
It’s known to all that the land of the tribals cannot be purchased and owned by the General Meitei/Meetei and others. Their land is protected under Article 19 (5) of the Indian Constitution as scheduled area. Glaring examples are tribal habitations inside Imphal city like Keisamthong, Kakhulong, Majorkhul, Mujikhul, and Pandon (Ragailong) etc. Like solid rocks, they remain unmoved to the onslaught of moneyed class outsiders. On the contrary, the Meitei/Meetei land at Mantripukhri, Luwangsangbam, and Koirengei area, among others, are losing grounds to others. Moreover, the tribals can go and settle anywhere in India under Article 19 (d) and (e). The General Meitei/Meetei cannot own land in the hills is again known by all since the 34 recognised tribes of Manipur are protected under Article 342 of our Constitution. At this rate of one-way settlement policy, the logical conclusion of population ratio in Imphal valley after some years is anybody’s guess. (For reference, the present ratio is 730 (valley) and 61 (hills) as per 2011 Census).
There’re many Meitei/Meetei “intellectuals” who’re blissfully ignorant that Cheiraoching, Langol and Nongmaiching Baruni hills are under Sadar Hills of Senapati district, (forget Thangjing and Koubru) outside the bound of the Meitei/Meetei. Their objection to the Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee (STDC) movement only shows their IQ regarding the geo-political realities in Manipur. These elitist bugs forget themselves their OBC status.
Even the hill-tribes have their own law making body under article 371 (C) of Indian Constitution which is popularly known as Hill Area Committee (HAC). Any matter relating to the hills cannot be discussed and passed by the State Assembly without HAC. It’s like an Assembly within the Assembly.
The silent demographic influx in the valley may be divided into two types namely 1) DI by migrants/immigrants (non-indigenous) and 2) DI by tribals coming down from the hills (indigenous). The influx by non-indigenous can be detected and deported however, the influx by indigenous tribals is permanent and cannot be deported. Considering the limited space available for Meitei/Meetei, this may perhaps be one of the driving forces to launch the movement of JCILPS. However, the influx by tribals is not mentioned in any of the demands made so far. Hence the “Three Bills” cannot solve and mitigate the present problems
The only available way-out at present is to include Meitei/Meetei under Articles 19 (5), 342, and 371 (C) of Indian Constitution respectively like other indigenous tribes of Manipur. We call ourselves Yelhoumee, which when translated is indigenous or original settlers. But there’re many CSOs working for development of indigenous people without knowing that Meitei/Meetei are not recognised as indigenous by the Indian Constitution. Isn’t it our duty first to get recognition as an indigenous people?
Only then can we pursue many other demands.