Topics related to the security and internal affairs of the country, such as the Manipur Violence, can be relevant in the SSB Interview, especially when assessing a candidate’s awareness of current affairs and their potential as future officers in the armed forces.

Given the significance of the Manipur Violence incident, it is possible that questions related to the event and its implications on national security and governance could be asked during the SSB Interview.

Candidates may be expected to share their views, analyze the situation, and suggest potential approaches to handle such conflicts or security challenges.

Questions Related to Manipur Violence

Question: What triggered the ethnic clash in Manipur between the Meitei and the tribal communities?

Answer: The ethnic clash was triggered by a long-standing demand by the Meitei people for a Scheduled Tribe status under the Indian Constitution, which led to protests by the tribal communities opposing this demand.

Question: How many people have been reported killed in the violence as of 4 July?

Answer: As of 4 July, 142 people have been reported killed in the violence.

Question: What is the long-standing demand of the Meitei people, and how does it relate to the tribal communities’ protest?

Answer: The long-standing demand of the Meitei people is for a Scheduled Tribe status under the Indian Constitution, which would grant them privileges similar to the tribal communities. The tribal communities protested against this demand, fearing it would allow the Meiteis to purchase land in the prohibited hilly areas.

Question: What steps did the Indian government take to restore law and order during the Manipur Violence?

Answer: The Indian government flew in close to 10,000 troops and paramilitary forces to Manipur to restore law and order. They imposed a curfew, suspended internet services for five days, and gave “shoot on sight” orders to enforce the curfew in extreme cases.

Question: Who is leading the panel investigating the Manipur Violence, and what is the role of the peace committee?

Answer: A panel led by a retired Chief Justice is investigating the violence, while a peace committee is being established under the Governor and security advisor Kuldeep Singh, along with members of civil society. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will also probe six cases related to conspiracy in the violence.

Question: What percentage of the population do the Meitei people and the tribal communities represent in Manipur?

Answer: The Meitei people make up 53% of the population, while the tribal communities, consisting of predominantly Christian Kukis and Nagas, form about 40% of the state’s 3.5 million people.

Question: How many seats are reserved for Scheduled Tribes in the Manipur Legislative Assembly, and how many were won by Meitei candidates in the last election?

Answer: Out of 60 seats in the Manipur Legislative Assembly, 19 seats are reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST), while 40 are unreserved general constituencies. In the last election, 39 out of the 40 unreserved seats were won by Meitei candidates.

Question: Why did the Manipur government begin efforts to remove illegal immigrants from settlements in reserve forest areas?

Answer: The Manipur government began efforts to remove illegal immigrants from settlements in reserve forest areas, claiming that illegal immigrants from Myanmar had been settling in Manipur since the 1970s.

Question: What are the main religious affiliations of the Meitei people in Manipur?

Answer: The Meitei people in Manipur are largely Hindus, but they also include Muslims, Buddhists, and native Sanamahi followers.

Question: What percentage of the state’s land area does the central Imphal Valley occupy?

Answer: The central Imphal Valley occupies about 10% of the land area of Manipur.

Question: What are the dominant tribal communities living in the hills surrounding the Imphal Valley?

Answer: The dominant tribal communities living in the hills surrounding the Imphal Valley are the Kukis in the southern portion and the Nagas in the northeastern portion.

Question: How is land settlement different for the Meitei people and the tribal communities in Manipur?

Answer: The Meitei people are barred from settling in the hilly regions of the state without the permission of local district councils, while the tribal population is not prohibited from settling in the valley region.

Question: What is the main grievance of the tribal groups regarding government spending in Manipur?

Answer: Tribal groups have complained that government spending is unduly concentrated in the Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley.

Question: What events in February 2023 sparked tensions between the Meitei people and the tribal communities?

Answer: In February 2023, the Manipur government began an eviction drive in districts of Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, and Tengnoupal, declaring forest dwellers as encroachers, which was seen as anti-tribal by the tribal groups.

Question: Which article of the Indian constitution did the Union government invoke to take over the security situation in Manipur?

Answer: The Union government invoked Article 355, the security provision of the Indian constitution, to take over the security situation in Manipur.

Question: What was the reason behind the dissolution of the Arambai Tenggol organization?

Answer: Arambai Tenggol announced its dissolution citing certain “unwanted developments” that had taken place in the last few days.

Question: How many internally displaced people were living in camps as of a certain date, according to the Manipur government’s statement?

Answer: As of a certain date, about 45,000 people had been relocated to other areas, and approximately 26,358 people were taken to 178 relief camps.

Question: Which areas in Manipur were under a curfew during the Manipur Violence clashes?

Answer: Curfew was imposed across eight districts, including non-tribal dominated Imphal West, Kakching, Thoubal, Jiribam, and Bishnupur districts, as well as tribal-dominated Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, and Tengnoupal districts.

Question: How many houses and vehicles were burned down during the violence, as reported by the government?

Answer: The government reported that around 1700 houses and numerous vehicles were burned down during the violence.

Question: What was the state of internet services and curfew as of 16 May in Manipur?

Answer: As of 16 May, the internet blackout and curfew remained in place in Manipur.

During the interview, it is essential for candidates to stay informed about recent events, be aware of the geopolitical dynamics, and demonstrate the ability to think critically and constructively about security-related issues.

To prepare for such questions, candidates should keep themselves updated on current affairs, study the socio-political situation of the region, understand the historical context of the conflict, and be aware of the measures taken by the government to address the situation and maintain law and order.