Ethnic population of Manipur The name Manipur is only applicable, popularly speaking to the Hindu dweller of the plain areas. The wild tribes are divided generically into the two groups the Nagas and Kukis-Chin-Zomi [Dun1886:13]. The recognized Naga groups are Anal, Chiru, Chothe, Kabui, Kacha Nagas, Koireng, Kairao, Lamkang, Mao, Maram, Maring, Monsang, Moyon, Sema, and Tangkhul (Thangal, Poumei, Liangmei, Tharao are yet to be listed as scheduled tribes separately). The Kuki-Chin Zomi includes Zou, Vaiphei, Simte, Paite, Aimol, Gangte, Thadou, Shuhte, Ralte, and other are Kom, Hmar, etc. (ibid) Since early 1980s, ethnic assertions based on respective social, culture, linguistic and political reasoning has been very expressive. Undoubtedly …show more content…
Assimilation as per Bookman (1997) is the elimination of differences between peoples, as smaller (or weaker) ethnic groups conform to the larger, dominant groups. In such circum-stances, language undoubtedly play savory important tool in the assimilation process while simultaneously increasing the numbers of one group and diminishing the size and consequently the political potential of other groups. One instance of this was seen when Manipuri or Meiteil on language was declared as Manipur Official Language in 1979, triggering of fears of ' cultural imposition 'among minority groups. …show more content…
Ethnicity aswell as insurgency based on it is very much alive and mobile. The current popularity of the principle of ' self determination ' based on ethnicity too came into centre age in the state 's socio- cultural scenario. Even the peoples representatives are compelled to incline towards their ethnic bases; at the same time those more aware remain fearful of being assimilated to dominant socio-cultural and political groups.”-UASHIMRA Source: Economic and Political Weekly, Vol.36 ,No.39 (Sep. 29-Oct.5, 2001),