Madhya Pradesh Prioritises Cow Welfare Over Dalit, Tribal Uplift
Madhya Pradesh is reportedly allocating money intended for the welfare of scheduled castes (SC) and scheduled tribes (ST) to develop religious sites, museums and cow welfare initiatives. This shift in priorities comes as crimes against these marginalised communities have seen a steep increase.
Another Man Killed in Manipur Amid Violence Spanning Over 14 Months
In the ongoing ethnic violence that has gripped the northeastern state of Manipur for over a year, another death of a tribal man has been reported. A 45-year-old resident of a village on the border of Imphal West and Kangpokpi Districts, died after being kidnapped and tortured, according to reports, which say he succumbed to his injuries while being transported to the hospital on July 15.
Manipur: Fresh Wave of Violence Erupts
Manipur is witnessing renewed violence, with the latest escalations being reported from Jiribam district, an area that borders Assam’s Cachar district, after a Meitei farmer’s death was attributed to a Kuki-Zo armed group. Recently, two individuals from the Hmar-Mizo tribal communities, which are part of the larger Zo tribe, were reportedly killed, and 48 houses and a church owned by tribals were destroyed, displacing more than 800 tribal and 220 Meitei residents.
Meitei Insurgents, Central Forces Accused of Killing 2 Kuki-Zo ‘Village Volunteers’ in Manipur
Violence escalated in Manipur on April 13, just days before the Lok Sabha election, as two Kuki-Zo village volunteers were killed in attacks involving gunfire and mortars, allegedly by central forces, as claimed by a local tribal organisation. Following this, Meitei insurgents and extremists entered the area, where they dragged, mutilated and stomped on the bodies, as per videos that circulated on social media.
It’s 21st Day of Sonam Wangchuk’s Hunger Strike
The hunger strike by environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk in Ladakh is a call for legislative and ecological reform in India. Wangchuk, who was on the 21st day of his fast on March 26, is advocating for Ladakh’s statehood and “nature representatives” in Parliament so that ecological concerns have a voice in the country’s highest policymaking body.
Nobody to Lead National Commission for Scheduled Tribes?
The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) in India has been without a Chairperson since Harsh Chouhan resigned in June 2023, eight months before his term was due to end. The positions of Vice-Chairperson and three other members are also vacant, leaving all five key posts of the NCST unfilled.
Why Ladakh is Demanding Statehood and Tribal Status
Thousands of protesters in Ladakh’s Leh and Kargil districts participated in a shutdown on Feb. 3, rallying against the constitutional changes following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. The protesters are seeking the restoration of statehood, tribal status for Ladakh and a parliamentary seat for each of the Leh and Kargil districts.
Govt Dismissed Tribal Concerns in Forest Law Revisions
A Newslaundry exclusive reveals that Harsh Chouhan, ex-chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), voiced serious concerns about recent changes to India’s forest laws. These amendments, made by the Union environment ministry in June 2022 and December 2023, have been slammed for leaning towards corporate interests at the expense of forest communities.
Infant Among 87 Victims Buried Months After Manipur Violence
Eighty-seven Kuki-Zo victims of the ongoing ethnic violence were finally buried on Dec. 20 in Manipur’s Churachandpur district. This solemn ceremony, attended by thousands, included the burial of a one-month-old infant, marking over seven months since the conflict began on May 3.