Farming under the  shadow of guns

Contextual Background

• Conflict Trigger: Ethnic violence erupted on May 3, 2023, between the Meiteis (valley-based) and Kuki-Zo communities (hill-based), resulting in over 250 deaths.
• Key Geography:
  • Khoirentak Khuman village, a Kom tribal area in the buffer zone, lies in Churachandpur district (Kuki-Zo area) but is administratively under Moirang sub-division, Bishnupur district (Meitei area).
  • These overlapping jurisdictions reflect the administrative duality contributing to insecurity and governance issues.

Relevance : GS 2(Social Issues)

Security Architecture in Buffer Zone

• Three-tier Security Layer:
  • CRPF: Manned the central buffer midline.
  • BSF: Positioned on both sides of the buffer zone, stationed along the ‘high canal’ and foothills; maintains movement registers.
  • Army & Assam Rifles: Deeper into both valley and hills, manage overarching security 24×7.
• Incidents of Violence:
  • A Meitei farmer was shot and injured on July 19, 2024, in Phubala while working under heavy security, showing that perceived security does not ensure safety.

Impact on Agriculture

Data on Losses:

• COCOMI Farmers’ Wing Findings:
  • 2023: 9,720 hectares left uncultivated → 32,263.76 metric tonnes rice production loss.
  • 2024: Area left fallow dropped to 7,084.586 hectares.
  • May 2025 (Pre-Kharif): Non-cultivated area rose again to 7,290.406 hectares.
• 2023 Estimates by Loumee Shinmee Apunba Lup:
  • Loss in crop area: 9,719 hectares on valley fringes.
  • Income loss: ₹211.41 crore.
  • Paddy’s Share: 93.36% of total agricultural and allied production.
• Government Compensation:
  • Ministry of Home Affairs relief: ₹38.06 crore for 5,127.08 hectares.
  • COCOMI says this is only a fraction of actual losses.

District-wise Situation:

• Bishnupur:
  • Worst affected: 5,288 hectares (54.4% of land) left uncultivated in 2023.
  • Only 1,419.794 hectares reclaimed in 2024.
• Khoirentak Khuman & Thamnapokpi:
  • Farmers allowed to cultivate only up to 100m from high canal, despite official order allowing up to 300m or more.

Socio-Political Fallout

• Population Displacement:
  • Total displaced: ~62,000 people.
  • Majority: Kuki-Zo from Imphal Valley.
  • ~8,000 Meiteis displaced from valley fringes due to hill raids.
• Allegations of Land Usurpation:
  • Meitei leaders allege Kuki-Zo takeover of ~300 hectares of farmland in buffer zones.
  • Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum declined to comment.
• Sense of Injustice:
  • Meitei farmers express helplessness at watching new settlers cultivate their land while they remain barred from entry.

Emerging Trends & Administration’s Response

• Change in Tone Post President’s Rule (Feb 13, 2025):
  • Administration claims improved coordination and mixed-farming resumption (Meiteis & Kukis farming “eyeball-to-eyeball”).
  • Appeal for Peace: Ex-CS Prashant Kumar Singh urged civil society to not escalate minor incidents.
• Ground Reality Disconnect:
  • Despite administrative orders, ground-level access remains restricted.
  • Farmer confidence remains fragile, as highlighted by villagers and grassroots leaders like Muton.

Policy Lens

• Governance Gap: Ethnic fault lines have exposed deep administrative ambiguities and challenges in maintaining territorial integrity and equitable access to land.
• Security vs. Livelihood: The militarised buffer zone intended for peacekeeping has become an agricultural dead zone, severely hurting food security and rural livelihoods.
• Relief Inequity: A mismatch between compensation disbursed and actual economic loss reflects a policy implementation failure.
• Fragile Reconciliation: Efforts to encourage joint farming are commendable but remain fragile and dependent on sustained security presence.

Policy Suggestions

• Immediate:
  • Expand area domination with civilian farming corridors.
  • Neutral arbitration for land ownership disputes.
  • Enhance psychosocial support and conflict resolution at village level.
• Medium-Term:
  • Establish a Manipur Agrarian Rehabilitation Authority for:
    • Transparent compensation.
    • Buffer-zone re-cultivation schemes.
    • Crop insurance for conflict-affected zones.
• Long-Term:
  • Institutionalise ethnic reconciliation through joint farming cooperatives.
  • Reimagine buffer zones as peace corridors with integrated rural development.