War on Education: Will the Meiteis' Attempt to Destroy the Intellectual Properties of the Kuki-Zo Backfire?

The ongoing ethnic turmoil is not just a state-sponsored ethnic cleansing pogrom perpetrated by the majority Meitei community against the minority Kuki-Zo but also an attempt to destroy their intellectual properties forever. Even before the current violence broke out, there was already a systematic attempt to disrupt the slowly emerging scholarly research on the histories of the Kukis.

The first attempt at disrupting academic work was the open denial of the existence of the Anglo-Kuki War, 1917–1919. Even though distractors opposed the term “Anglo-Kuki War,” they all accepted that the Kukis had actually fought the British during the First World War. For many, the term “war” was a problem, as they argued that it should be used only between two sovereign nations, yet they didn’t know that all the hill tribes were independent of any state control. However, a Meitei professor, A. Bimol Akoijam, argued in a social media post that it is not the term “war”, which is problematic, but “Anglo”, which says a lot about how the Meiteis change their colours [standpoint] any moment!

Apart from opposing the term “Anglo-Kuki War”, another incident worth remembering is how any dissenting voices, such as Mr Mark Thangmang Haokip, a human rights activist, were put behind bars on flimsy grounds. In his case, he was simply quoting a published work when he said that the Meitei King merged only the valley, i.e., 700 sq. miles when he signed the Merger Agreement in 1949. It is also interesting to note that he was slapped with the charge that he was leading a

secessionist movement against the Union of India through a little-known Facebook group!

When the Meiteis realised that there was a PhD Thesis which said the same thing, they put all the blame on Prof. Amar Yumnam of Manipur University, who happened to be a co-supervisor. This professor was attacked in his house by a group of youths [“lairik heirasu laisu heitaba?”] and was later forced to stay far away from his hometown, Imphal.

Instances of silencing dissenting voices had begun within the Meitei community. Back in 2015-16, while the demand for ILP and ST status for the Meiteis was gaining momentum, few scholars compiled documents related to the mass movements with an introduction, the only original contribution  of the editors. For this, the editors of the book had to go to a student body, DESAM, where they were forced to tender an apology with the condition that they would make corrections in the later editions, which never happened.

In a similar instance, Prof. Priyoranjan Singh of Manipur University was once shamed and named simply for raising his opinion as an academic in a TV discussion. This professor never spoke again on public platforms, though he is the advisor of chief minister Biren.

Silencing dissenting voices was also carried out with the active participation of the state government. Mr. Biren is known for dictating even discussion topics on local TV channels. His government has also been notorious for slapping defamation suits against some editors/ newspapers. One of the well-known cases was that of Pradip Phanjoubam, noted journalist and author, who was slapped with defamation suits while he was the editor of Imphal Free Press by Biren at least on two occasions. This compelled the publishers to part with him. The same newspaper, which was quite critical of the establishment, where learned academics such as Prof. Amar Yumnam and Prof. Bobo Maisnam were regular columnists, is now controlled by the relatives of Biren’s second wife, Mrs. Olish Lamkang, MLA of Chandel AC.

Another significant backward step taken-up by Biren’s government was the formation of a committee to look after publications on the history, polity and geography of the state. Most of the members of the committee claimed that they were not aware of the formation of the committee. Nobody knows whether this committee ever reviewed any book.

Prior to this, there was another notification that said that all employees under the Department of Higher and Technical Education could publish or speak on public platforms only with the approval of the concerned head of the department/institution. The order was to keep a check on the intellectuals, particularly those working in the government colleges, who could voice against the government. It also says that no government employee should speak or write against the government’s policies. All this happened under Mr Biren, who is hailed by many in the valley as the saviour, or the best CM, of Manipur. When the current violence began on May 3, 2023, there was a systematic attack on the intellectual properties of the Kuki-Zo community. For instance, when the Meiteis began attacking Kuki-Zo colonies in Imphal, a similar attack was organised at Manipur University. Initially, when the unruly mobs barged into the University campus, their first target was the intellectual properties of the faculties, staffs, and research scholars. It was due to divine intervention that the Assam Rifles and some kind-hearted friends took the risk of evacuating the Kuki-Zo from the campus. However, all their properties, including research and archival materials, were either burnt down or taken away in the next few days.

During the initial days of the conflict itself, thousands of academic certificates, books, theses/dissertations, and primary data collected for years turned into ashes. Though there are books that are available in the market, many of them are not. This irretrievable loss incurred upon the Kuki-Zo intellectuals can only be done with a well-thought-out plan. Such destruction of intellectual properties was followed by FIR against authors of scholarly works and activists who raised their voices.

These academic goons who are hell-bent against people reading the glorious history of the Kukis did not know that there was already enough literature on the Anglo-Kuki War. It may also be noted that there is also ongoing research on other aspects of the history of the Kukis including their participation in the INA and the anti-colonial struggle prior to the First World War.

In its desperate attempt to denounce the history of the Kukis, the Meiteis are also actively engaged in spreading fabricated messages on social media platforms and online shopping like Amazon, Flipkart, etc. However, all these attempts at belittling scholarly works actually help in popularising the books! May I remind the readers that the two books, one edited by J. Guite & T. Haokip, and another by Col. (Dr.) Vijay Chenji, are not the only works on the Anglo-Kuki War. So, registering a few FIRs wouldn’t erase this glorious chapter in the history of India’s freedom struggle!

Meanwhile, as the war goes on, the Meiteis and its communal government refused to give-up. They continue to harass the Kuki-Zo students by whatever means at their disposal. For instance, psychology students from a college Lamka were intentionally made to fail en masse, though it was rectified later.

Students of different colleges and universities belonging to the Kuki-Zo have been removed from their department’s WhatsApp groups so that they may be denied crucial information. On a few occasions, answer scripts from Kanggui and Lamka were reported either missing or late. Among the students, one of the most affected lots was the PhD Scholars who are no longer able to go to their departments. Those who are about to submit their theses are either denied, or forced delayed on grounds best known to them.

Moreover, schools owned by Kuki-Zo in Imphal have been either burnt or used as offices by Meitei armed militias like the Arambai Tenggol. Even in Moreh, a Kuki-dominated town, three schools were razed to the ground by Meitei CDOs.

It is also disheartening to note that schools that succeeded in getting CBSE affiliation had to be cancelled after the Meitei government in Imphal complained to its chairman. It is ironic that the Kuki-Zo students are denied facilities available in Imphal, and on the other, they are also blocking the alternative route.

Another step taken up by the current communal government is to conduct recruitment (DPC) to deny

maximum Kuki-Zo the opportunity to get into government services. Whereas in some cases, examination centres for such DPC are allocated Imphal, some others whose results are declared include either very few Kuki-Zo or none in the merit list.

All these attempts made by the Meiteis to destroy the knowledge system of the Kuki-Zo have affected many, but they also had their share of affirmative impact. The atrocities against the young minds of the Kuki-Zo has provoked them to study harder and give their best. This is visible in all the libraries in Lamka, which are all filled with enthusiastic students and job aspirants who are studying day and night as never before. There are also new institutes, coaching centres, hospitals and other establishments coming up in the Kuki-Zo hill towns. It is now a sure thing that in the next couple of years, the Kuki-Zo community will see a giant leap forward in the field of education.

READINGS ON ANGLO-KUKI WAR, 1917-1919:

The Anglo-Kuki War, 1917–1919: A Frontier Uprising against Imperialism during the First World War. edited by J.Guite & T.Haokip (Routledge, 2018).

Against the Empire Polity, Economy and Culture during the Anglo-Kuki War, 1917-1919. edited by N.Kipgen & D.L. Haokip (Routledge, 2020).

Anglo-Kuki War (1917-1919): Galhang ho Thusim. edited by T.Haokip, H.Haokip, A.Haokip, L.Lhingneilam, LH. Seitinthang & T.S. Gangte (RBC Pub. 2019).

The Anglo-Kuki War 1917-19 : Victory in Defeat: A Military Perspective. by Col.(Dr.) Vijay Chenji (Notion Press, 2021).

Documents of the Anglo-Kuki War (1917-1919): Archiving Archival Materials. edited by D.L. Haokip (RBC Pub., 2017).

The Kuki Uprising in Manipur: 1919-1920. by S.M.A.W. Chishti (Spectrum, 2004).

Colonisation, Identity and Search for Peace: A Transcribed Text of and Preliminary Comments on Operations Against Kuki Tribes of Assam and Burma 1917-1919. edited/compiled by J. Haokip (Dr. L. Haokip, 2015).

Forgotten Fighters: Heroes of the Anglo-Kuki War, 1917-1919. edited by T.Haokip and PK Pau (Routledge, 2022) (Forthcoming).

Untold History of Manipur. edited by Haokip, N., Gangte, P. M., Kipgen, K., & Hangshing, H. (AKWPMF, 2005).

Anglo-Kuki Relationship from 1849 to 1937 and Other Essays. by T.S. Gangte, edited by P.M. Gangte (Ruby Press, 2013).

Political Development in Manipur 1919-1949. by S.M.A.W. Chishti (Kalpaz Pub., 2005).

Anglo-Kuki Relations 1777-1947 AD. by S. Haokip (PhD Thesis, MU, 2011).

Anglo-Lushai Relations, 1890-1947. by H. Thangtungnung (PhD Thesis, MU, 2013).

The Thadou War and Its Impact on the Society, 1917-1919. by M.Silthou (PhD Thesis, MU, 2019).

“The Kuki Uprising (1917–1919): Its Causes and Nature”, by G.Bhadra (Man in India, vol. 55, issue 1, pp.10–56, 1975).

“Revisiting the Kuki Rebellion and Nupi Lan”, book chapter by L.Henthoiba (in Colonialism and Resistance: Society and State in Manipur edited by A. Noni, & K. Sanatomba) (Routledge, 2016).

“Colonial violence and its ‘Small Wars’: fighting the Kuki ‘guerillas’ during the Great War in Northeast India, 1917–1919”, by J.Guite (Small Wars & Insurgencies, Vol.30, issue 2, pp. 447-478, 2019).

“Significance of Kuki Uprising”, by P. Gangte, Journal of North East India Studies, Vol.1, Issue 1, pp. 61–80 (2011).

“War of the Zo Ethnic (Chin-Kuki-Mizo) Group for Protection of Their Ancestral Land Against British Colonialism with Special Reference to the Anglo-Kuki War 1917-1919”, by J. Doungel ( Gradiva Review Journal, vol.7, issue 9, pp. 152–65, 2021).

“Significance of the Anglo-Kuki War, 1917-1919”, by Doungul L. Haokip (Third Concept vol.34, issue 398/399, 52–55, 2020).

“Centennial Year of Kuki Rising, 1917-2017: Reflecting the Past Hundred Years”, by Seilen Haokip. Journal of North East India Studies, vol.9, issue. 1, 83–93 (2019).

“The Anglo-Kuki War, 1917-1919: A Frontier Uprising against Imperialism during the First World War”,

by Jelle J.P. Wouters (Asian Ethnicity vol.20, issue. 4, pp.578–80, 2019.

“War of the Zo Ethnic (Chin-Kuki-Mizo) Group for Protection of their Ancestral Land Against British Colonialism with Special Reference to the Anglo-Kuki War 1917-1919”, by J.Doungel (October 1, 2021).

“Revisiting the Kuki Rebellion of 1917-1919”, by R. Kamei (East Mojo, Oct. 19, 2019).

“Zou Gal (1917-1919): A Commemorative Speech on Zou Gal (Kuki Rising) 1917 – 1919”, speech delivered by

D.V. Zou (at Delhi University, during the 1st Zou Gaal Day at MP’s Club on March 17, 2011).

“Reinterpreting the Anglo-Kuki War, 1917-1920”, speech deliver by Lal Dena (during the 99th Anniversary of the Anglo-Kuki War, 1917-1920 at Kuki Inn, Imphal, on December 19, 2016).

(PS: The above list doesn’t include the rich archival materials, British writings, articles, and historical books on northeast India where significant portions are dedicated on the Anglo-Kuki War).