The Shongthu Chate

Amur Falcon ( Falco amurensis ), locally known as “ Akhuaipuina ”,is a long distance, trans-equatorial migratory bird from Eastern Russia, China, and Mongolia. To be more specific, Amur Falcon breeds in the Eastern Palearctic from Transbaikalia, Russia, and central Mongolia east to Ussuriland (south-eastern Russia) and south to the Qinling Mountain range in central China. It is one of the most talked-about birds in Tamenglong among the 69 different species of Falcon found in India. Amur Falcon usually comes to India’s northeast particularly Tamenglong district of Manipur and Wokha district of Nagaland in the early or mid-October and spends 4-5 weeks before leaving for a long journey towards Southern Africa.After travelling a long distance from East Asia, the birds reached Northeast India lean and thin, but they became fat and healthy within a week or two after feeding themselves in this region. An Amur Falcon weighs about 160 grams and measures 25-30 cm in length. In an interaction w...

The United Naga Council (UNC), the apex social organisation of the Nagas of Manipur, in its presidential council meeting held on 9 August 2024 at Maram, Senapati district, resolved to continue its demand to roll-back the seven new districts created in December 2016 by the then Congress government. It may be noted that the UNC had launched a series of agitation including a four-month-long economic blockade along the two National Highways (Imphal-Dimapur road and Imphal-Jiri road) in protest against the bifurcation of the then seven existing districts out of nine to create seven new districts. The newly created districts include Jiribam (from Imphal East), Kakching (from Thoubal), Kangpokpi (from Senapati), Kamjong (from Ukhrul) Noney (from Tamenglong), Pherzawl (from Churachandpur), and Tengnoupal (from Chandel). Imphal West and Bishnupur were the only two districts which were not bifurcated. The main argument of the UNC was that the Nagas were not consulted while creating these new dis...

Since N. Biren Singh became the chief minister of Manipur in 2017, his chair has always been shaking due to the rebel MLAs’ attempt to replace him. During his first stint, as many as 15 BJP MLAs out of 21 were not in favour of Biren’s chief-ministership. In the end, these rebel MLAs failed to topple his ministry, but they were able to exert strong pressure on both the central and state BJP leadership about their intention to replace Biren with a more capable and accommodative leader at the helm. During his second term in office, which began sometime in May 2022, the threat seemed lesser, but it continued to haunt him. The pressure has become more obvious since the outbreak of the current ethnic turmoil on May 3, 2023. While the Kukis are unanimous in their stand against the continuation of Biren as chief minister, there is a division of opinion within his own community. Half of the population thinks he is no longer fit to hold the post due to his misadventures and communal policies...

The Meitei chief minister Mr. N. Biren Singh said to the press today that his government has been trying to bring peace by looking for a middle path, but from now onward, they [the Kukis?] will be shown that there is a state government. Anybody who understands Manipuri (Meitei language) must be asking themselves what the hell is he talking about! Since day one of the current ethnic cleansing pogrom, Mr Biren and some of his cabinet colleagues including the lone Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba has been leading the radicalised Meitei sections and its armed militias such as Arambai Tenggol, Meitei Leepun, and others, in attacking the Kuki villages in the periphery areas. On more than one occasion, including Phailengmol Area (Khamenlok), Mr Biren even visited the site physically and witnessed the burning and destruction of houses and churches belonging to the Kukis in more than ten villages. It may also be noted that Mr Biren had repeatedly appealed to his [Meitei] people to let his go...

As a young boy who grew up mostly in Imphal, I have high regards for the Meiteis for various reasons particularly when it comes to respect for elders. Compared to the tribals whom they often considered as “unclean” and were not even allowed to enter their house in olden days, they are far ahead in civility. In fact the Meiteis had the name “ Hao ” to mean the hill people. Oftentimes, the word “ Thu ” was added to make it “ Haothu ” which is extremely derogatory [ Hao -Hill People; Thu -Women Private Part]. In a slightly less vulgar term, “ Haomacha ” [ Hao -Hill People; Macha -Children] is also often used but carries the same derogatory tone. Similarly, the Meiteis in the heart of the Valley call the Meiteis who are living in the outskirts (rural areas) as “ Lawai ”/“ Louwai ”, literally meaning those who rented lands (fields) from landowners for cultivation [ Lou -field, Wai -rent]. Even within the rural areas, there is a division based on the distance from Imphal. Those who are neare...

Anthony Shongthu Since the beginning of the current ethnic turmoil, I have been closely following the development from both sides. So, with a fair amount of confidence, I can say that I have gathered enough knowledge to give a preliminary judgment on the role of the silent majority within the Meitei community. In other words, I can confidently say that not all the Meiteis are evil! As a person who has been brought up in Imphal, mostly among the Meiteis for the last 20 years, I have encountered many sane Meiteis, and many of my friends are also from the same community. Moreover, being from a humble background, I am what I am today largely from the many kind-hearted persons I met during these two decades. There were many individuals who helped me when I was in need of financial as well as moral support. Out of these, a reasonably good number were Meiteis. If I had not met these generous people, my career could have ended prematurely.  To come straight to the point, when the M...

If the 3rd of May marks the first anniversary of the beginning of the state-sponsored ethnic cleansing campaign against the Kuki-Zo, the 8th of May completes one year of the evacuation of 13,000 Kuki-Zo to Kangpokpi from the "Valley of Death". In fact, out of the more than 20,000 Kuki-Zo stranded in Imphal, about 18,000 were evacuated to Kangpokpi, and the rest to Churachandpur, Chandel, and Tengnoupal districts. Some others also had their escape route through flights. From day one in the relief centres in Imphal, the long for our hills was incomparable. The fear of possible mob attack and lack of food and medical facilities for thousands of inmates in the absence of the state, or rather the communal Meitei government turning its back, was too painful to bear. The Indian Army and Paramilitary Forces, who were flown in since 4th May 2023 to assist the state in maintaining law and order did not provide much relief. The unverified news about the imposition of Article 355 and...

Anthony Shongthu On 3rd May 2023, when an ethnic riot broke out,   and when the whole state machinery turned their back on the Kuki-Zo community, it was the Indian Army, including the Assam Rifle and Paramilitary Forces, who took the lead in saving the lives of thousands of innocent people in the "Valley of Death." Apart from the Military, the Nagas and Muslims (Pangals) along with a few others have also contributed a lot in saving the lives of hundreds of people particularly on the first few days of the communal riots. The plan to completely annihilate the Kukis from Imphal was well-orchestrated in such a way that a few pieces of propaganda and fake news could indoctrinate thousands of innocent Meitei minds within a few hours and could soon culminate into large-scale destruction, mob lynching, rape and murder of many innocent lives. As for me, and many others, we reached the 1st Manipur Rifles (MR) in the early morning of 4th May thanks to the Assam Rifles, Indian Army...