Manipuri Tamils
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 17,000 (2011) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Moreh, India | |
| Languages | |
| Tamil (L1), Meitei (Manipuri) (L2) | |
| Religion | |
| Majority: Hinduism Minority: Islam, Christianity | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Meitei people, Burmese people, Kuki people |
The northeastern Indian state of Manipur has a relatively large population of Tamils, largely concentrated near the border of Myanmar. The town of Moreh in particular has an estimated 17,000 Tamils.[2] Tamils in Manipur have relatives and business contacts in Myanmar, which is a valuable network facilitating cross-border trade.
History
Tamils from Burma came back to India when General Ne Win nationalized banks, shops, and factories. Some of them found life in refugee camps in Tamil Nadu very hard, so they decided to return to Burma through land. They were stopped by Burmese immigration at the border town of Moreh and settled there as a result.[3]
Around 1992, there were clashes between the Tamil and Kuki communities due to attempts by Kuki militants to impose heavy taxes on Tamil businesses.[4]
Very recently, the Tamil community has been involved in a legal battle to prevent the Manipur government from giving up land occupied by Sri Angala Parameshwari Sri Muneeswarar temple to Myanmar.[5][6] One of the gates of this temple is in Burmese territory.[7]
Religion
Other than the Sri Angala Parameshwari Sri Muneeswarar temple mentioned, the Tamil Hindu temples in Moreh are Sree Veeramma Kali Temple, Sree Badrakaali Temple, and the Sree Periyapalayathamman temple. There is also a Tamil mosque, known as the Tamir-E-Millath Jamia Masjid, and a Tamil Catholic church, the St. George Church, in Moreh.[8]
The Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham has been involved in spiritual activities in Manipur.[9]
Entertainment
Over the past several years, Tamil films have become slowly popular in Manipur partly due to a ban on Hindi language entertainment by militant groups such as the Revolutionary People's Front (RPF).[10][11][12]
Impact of 2023 Manipur Violence
More than 45 houses and shops of Tamils in Moreh were burned down by Kuki militants and mobs during the 2023 ethnic clash between the Meiteis and the Kukis. Tamil businessmen were forced to pay taxes ranging from Rs.30,000 to Rs.10,00,000 to Kuki militant outfits as support to the ongoing conflict.[13][14][15][16]
References
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 19 January 2011.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 19 January 2011.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "About Tamil Sangam in Moreh State, Coming of Tamils to Morh, Manipur State". Archived from the original on 5 July 2011. Retrieved 19 January 2011.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 June 2011. Retrieved 19 January 2011.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Fencing at border pillar 78 turning controversial — Indo-Burma News". Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 19 January 2011.
- ^ "Eastern Mirror | The latest and breaking news from Nagaland, northeast India and India, current affairs in regional politics, latest updates on business news, sports and entertainment". www.easternmirrornagaland.com. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
- ^ "Kendra Activities at Manipur". Archived from the original on 19 November 2010. Retrieved 19 January 2011.
- ^ "About Tamil Sangam in Moreh State, Coming of Tamils to Morh, Manipur State". Archived from the original on 5 July 2011. Retrieved 19 January 2011.
- ^ "Kendra Activities at Manipur". Archived from the original on 19 November 2010. Retrieved 19 January 2011.
- ^ Pike, John. "Revolutionary People's Front (RPF)". Retrieved 15 May 2018.
- ^ "No Amitabh, SRK films in Manipur – Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
- ^ "Korea Comes to Manipur". Archived from the original on 27 April 2012. Retrieved 4 April 2012.
- ^ "Manipur : 'Rioters tried to enter my house. When they couldn't, they burned it'". The Times of India. 10 August 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
- ^ Ghosh, Partha S. (24 September 2023). "Manipur's Tamil connection, via Myanmar: How ethnic polarisation has marooned the community again". Scroll.in. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
- ^ Sabir, Aaisha (2 September 2023). "Tamils caught in the crossfire in strife-torn Manipur". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
- ^ "Manipur violence: Abandoned houses belonging to Meiteis torched at India-Myanmar border town". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 3 October 2023.