The Shongthu Chate

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...