Ethnic ties, family bonds: Why Mizoram is concerned about Manipur violence
- May 12, 2023
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
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Ethnic ties, family bonds: Why Mizoram is concerned about Manipur violence
Subject : Geography
Section: Places in news
Context:
As the initial reports of the unrest in Manipur emerged, its neighbour Mizoram was the first to express “deep concern” on the matter from Chief Minister Zoramthanga
Background:
- The clashes in Manipur primarily involving the numerically dominant Meitei community and the minority Kuki tribe have displaced many people in the last few days.
- A “tribal solidarity march” on May 3 to protest against the inclusion of the Meiteis in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category was just the immediate trigger
- Other government actions like the crackdown on poppy plantations and eviction drives, to frequent allegations that the Kukis of Churachandpur were sheltering “foreigners” from Myanmar have led to simmering tensions in the state’s southern hill districts, which border Myanmar.
The ethnic bond
- At the heart of Mizoram’s strong political reaction is the deep ethnic bond the Mizos and Kukis share. The Chin-Kuki-Mizos are a conglomerate ethnic group collectively known as the ‘Zo’ people.
- Historically, culturally, socially, linguistically, they are all related. these “ethnic tribes commonly traced their historical origin to a mythological cave known by different names by different tribes
- They are known as Chin when they settle in Burmese plains and Chin became their official name in Burma. Those who moved down to Lushai Hills (Mizoram) and Chittagong Hill Tracts(Bangladesh) from Chin Hills were known as Kuki and Kuki became the official name in India
- The term ‘Mizo’ began to be used officially in Lushai Hills (present Mizoram) since 1946. After that, Mizo began to be used popularly in Mizoram
- Mizo comprises of 5 major tribes and 11 minor tribes known under the common name Awzia. The 5 major tribes are Lushei, Ralte, Hmar, Paihte, Pawi (Poi).
- Mizos are of Mongoloid origin, speaking a dialect of Tibeto Burman origin
- The literacy rate is the second highest in the country