In Episode 178 [18] of the CounterVortex podcast [19], Bill Weinberg notes the new eruption [20] of ethnic violence [21] in Northeast India's state of Manipur, which was the scene of far deadlier inter-communal clashes [22] last month. The spark [23] was the current bid [24] by the Meitei people to become a "scheduled tribe [25]," granting them access [26] to resource-rich forestlands [27]. This is opposed by the Kuki [28] and Naga [29] peoples, whose tribes are already "scheduled"—but are nonetheless being targeted for eviction [30] from Manipur's forestlands under the guise of a crackdown on opium cultivation [31]. The Kuki and Naga leadership perceive a land-grab [32] for their ancestral forest territory by the Meitei—the dominant group in Manipur, who already control [33] the best agricultural land in the state's central Imphal Valley. The Kuki (including their Jewish sub-group [34], the Bnei Menashe [35]) and Naga [36] have long waged insurgencies [37] seeking territorial autonomy [38], or even independence [39] from India. And both their traditional territories extend across the border into Burma [40] (where the Kuki are known as the Chin [41]), pointing to potential convergence [42] of the armed conflicts either side of the international line.
Listen on SoundCloud [18] or via Patreon [43].
Production by Chris Rywalt [46]
We ask listeners to donate just $1 per weekly podcast via Patreon [43]—or $2 for our special offer [47]! We now have 57 subscribers. If you appreciate our work, please become Number 58!
