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The focus of this book is Manipur, a beautiful State in Northeast India sharing a common international border with Myanmar. She is described as ‘The Land of Jewels’. She boasts of an ancient civilization and a recorded history dating from 33 AD. There are different indigenous community groups inhabiting the State who lived in peaceful harmony for hundreds of years. However, today there are myriad problems to be resolved in Manipur - the most important being the necessity to immediately bridge the divide by and large along ethnic lines, between people settled in the hills and those settled in the valley of Manipur.

The book has eleven chapters covering complex issues in Manipur like socio-economic roots and their linkages with history, factors sustaining the ethnic divide and areas of potential intervention for harmonization, development disparities, complex land rights, illegal taxation and extortion by the militants, the Naga Peace Accord and its connection with Manipur and some other contemporary issues. Although there is no easy solution, various strategies have been suggested by the author to enable Manipur to achieve harmonious coexistence which will lead to its speedy development.

Though there are several books written on individual issues confronting Manipur today, this book makes an endeavour for overarching analysis of the ground realities affecting the lives of the people living in this State. The core feelings, emotions and aspirations of the people are reflected in various surveys that have been conducted by the author. On the basis of these, an attempt has been made to suggest certain remedial measures which may help in resolving the issues plaguing the State. The ultimate wish of all is for this gem in the Northeast to slowly yet surely evolve into a calm and settled zone of tranquillity.

Contents: Foreword. Preface. 1. Theories of Conflict and Genesis of Insurgencies in Manipur. 2. Contemporary Socio-economy in Manipur. 3. Ethnic Conflict and Harmonisation. 4. The Complexities of Tribal Land Rights: Issues and Recommendations. 5. Non-inclusive Development and Insurgency: A Reality Check of Tamenglong District and Strategy for Development. 6. Taxation and Extortion: The Major Source of Militant Economy in Northeast India. 7. Educated Unemployment and its Linkage to Insurgency. 8. The Naga Peace Accord: Manipur Connections. 9. The Kuki and Meitei Insurgencies in Manipur and their Connections with ‘The Naga Peace Accord’. 10. How Nagas Perceive the Creation of Seven Additional Districts in Manipur. 11. Emerging Dynamics and the Way Forward. Appendices. Selected Notes. Selected Bibliography. Index.