Reported by
Legal Review by
Edited by
Updated by
Published on
April 18, 2023
October 26, 2023
Edited on
April 18, 2023
Land Area Affected (in Hectares)
Starting Year
K. Songjang, Henglep sub-division, Kungpi Naosen
Noney, Ukhrul, Kangpokpi, Tengnoupal and Jiribam
Churachandpur
Forest Administration (Other than Protected Areas)
1. Derecognizing 38 villages in the districts of Churachandpur and Noney 2. Land ownership and resource allocation 3.Communal/ Ethnic conflict 4. Evictions and land surveys in Kuki inhabited villages
On February 20, 2023, the Noney Forest Division and police teams from Noney, Kangpokpi, and Bishnupur districts, evicted the residents of K. Songjang, a Kuki tribal village in the Churachandpur district of Manipur.
The state government notified and carried out the eviction drive, deploying hundreds of police personnel and paramilitary forces to evict around 12 families at K. Songjang, saying the village was recently set up and was encroaching on the Churachandpur-Khoupum protected forest stretch. The Manipur Forest Department issued a clarification that K. Songjang village is a new settlement established in 2021, much after the notification of the Protected Forest in 1966, and, violates state forest conservation laws. The villagers, mostly farmers, had cultivated lemon, yongchak (tree beans), and banana trees, grew and sold crops such as chickpeas, cabbage, Hawai thrak (a type of pea), ginger, potatoes, and chak hawai beans, the most profitable of the lot. Back on February 15, the Deputy Commissioner of Churachandpur district ordered a verification drive in several villages under the Churachandpur and Mualnuam sub-divisions in South Manipur to identify the villagers, whom they termed to be ‘illegal immigrants' from Myanmar. A show cause notice was also served to the Kungpi Naosen village in the same district, directing the villagers to vacate the land for the same reason.
To resist such actions, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF), a newly formed conglomerate of tribal groups, and the Kuki Students Union (KSO) organised mass rallies in all the hills districts to protest evictions. Protests were also held at Delhi's Jantar Mantar.
A complaint was filed before the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) on March 5, 2023, to quash the notification declaring the area as a forest land and against the wrongful use of police force. A notice was issued by the NCST to the state government on March 14, 2023, asking the government to share all facts on the issue and the action taken report within fifteen days.
Douminlal, a 31-year-old former resident recalling the tragic events, told The Print, “They came with six JCBs and uncountable police and forest personnel. They threw stones at the poultry coops, took away the chickens, destroyed the pigsty, and towed away the squealing pigs.”
While speaking to LCW, leaders of local organisations emphasized how their ancestral land is under attack, and even after multiple appeals and requests, the current government launched a scathing attack targeting one specific community and their inheritance.
“Land is a kind of identity for the people. The tribal people are deeply attached to their land. But because of government policies or undue processes followed in the declaration of reserved forests, protected forests, or wetlands, there were a lot of grievances among the affected people. This and various other issues led to the Tribal Solidarity March on May 3,” said Mangcha Haokip, a research scholar from Churachandpur.
Robert Thongkholal Haokip, an expert on North Eastern affairs, and an Assistant Professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University, stated that the state government has declared a large portion of tribal-owned and inhabited hill areas as its land circumventing the forest-dwelling communities by depriving them of a consultation. They have also been subjected to land grabs, forced displacement, and exploitation of natural resources, leading to poverty, social unrest, and loss of cultural identity.
Several mass protests took place in March over the evictions, and the state witnessed another massive flare-up on May 3 after the 'Tribal Solidarity March' called in protest against the demand for Scheduled Tribe status by a section of Meiteis. The rally organised in the hill districts of the state to protest the Meitei community’s demand for the Scheduled Tribe (ST) status turned violent and opened old fault lines between the two communities i.e. Meitei and Kukis, reigniting the ethnic conflict. Until August 2023, over 160 people (mostly Kukis) reportedly died, over 300 were injured, with tens of thousands reported to have been displaced since the May 3 incident. Reports suggest that hundreds sustained bullet injuries and brutal wounds during the violence.
Numerous human rights violations were also reported during this conflict, with 220 churches, 116 villages, and 39 houses being burnt down and destroyed during this ethnic conflict. Despite multiple appeals and redressal requests, allegedly no action was taken by the state government to address the concerns of the people, local organisations, and representative bodies in due time, which further fueled the rising tensions.
As of October, all the displaced people, including children, from K. Songjang are taking shelter in the next Kuki village of Joujangtek, about 4 kilometres away.
Demand to retain/protect access to common land/resources
Demand for legal recognition of land rights
1. Demand for a Southern Manipur Autonomous Territorial Council 2. Demand to stop the Govt. from acquiring indigenous tribal land by unconstitutionally declaring it as protected forest areas like Reserved forests, protected forest areas, Wildlife sanctuaries etc.
Rural
Common
Forest and Non-Forest
What was the action taken by the police?
Detention
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
20
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Out on bail
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
Don't know
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
Don't know
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
CrPC Section 144
Section 144 [The district magistrate has the power to issue orders to prevent obstruction, injury, or danger to human life. Orders can be issued to prevent public gatherings and suspend internet connection to prevent further violence]
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?
Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)
Status of Project
Original Project Deadline
Whether the Project has been Delayed
Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users
Residential area, Other Natural Resource extraction/dependence, Religious/Sacred/Cultural value, Agricultural land, Other environmental services
Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict
Source/Reference
Total investment involved (in Crores):
₹
Type of investment:
Year of Estimation
Page Number In Investment Document:
Has the Conflict Ended?
No
When did it end?
Why did the conflict end?
Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict
Legislations/Policies Involved
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute
Yes
What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?
What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?
Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:
Non-consultation with stakeholders
Non-implementation/violation of FRA
Legal Status:
Out of Court
Status of Case In Court
Whether any adjudicatory body was approached
Yes
Name of the adjudicatory body
National Commission for Scheduled Tribes
Name(s) of the Court(s)
Case Number
NCST/ATY-950/MN/1/2023-ESDW
Main Reasoning/Decision of court
Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:
Lathicharge/teargas/pellets
Displacement
Other harassment
Physical attack
Surveillance
Whether criminal law was used against protestors:
Yes
Reported Details of the Violation:
In Kangpokpi, around 20 protesters were injured after the police allegedly resorted to tear gas to control the crowd. Several police personnels sustained injuries too. On 10th March, a lady was beaten by the police forces when they approached to submit memorandum to the Deputy commissioner's office. They were intercepted by the authorities. They provoked and prohibited the protestors too. Police fired live bullets and 5 people were injured. Until August 2023, Riots and violence in the aftermath of the conflict has led to an estimated 160 deaths, over 300 injured with brutal wounds, and tens of thousands displaced. Over 220 churches, 116 villages, and 39 houses were also burnt down and destroyed during the escalating conflict.
Date of Violation
March 9, 2023
Location of Violation
Kangpokpi
Nature of Protest
Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:
Manipur forest department, Noney Forest Division, Office of the Deputy commissioner (Churachandpur), (Noney) (Kangpokpi)
PSUs Involved in the Conflict:
Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?
Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached
Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:
Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?
Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:
Kuki Sudents' Union (KSO), Kuki Innpi Manipur (KIM)
What was the action taken by the police?
Detention
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
20
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Out on bail
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
Don't know
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
CrPC Section 144
Section 144 [The district magistrate has the power to issue orders to prevent obstruction, injury, or danger to human life. Orders can be issued to prevent public gatherings and suspend internet connection to prevent further violence]
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?
Peaceful protest rallies across the streets of Manipur
Image Credit:
Sasang Khaute
Image Credit:
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