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{{Short description|Ethnic group}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2018}}
{{Infobox ethnic group
| group = Manipuri Tamils
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| image =
| image_caption =
| image_alt =
| image_upright =
| total = 17,000 
| total_year = 2011 
| total_source = <ref>{{Cite web |url=http://manipur.nic.in/planning/DraftMSDR/Draft_SDR_pdf/Chapter%2011_Border%20Trade.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=19 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927000725/http://manipur.nic.in/planning/DraftMSDR/Draft_SDR_pdf/Chapter%2011_Border%20Trade.pdf |archive-date=27 September 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> 
| total_ref = 
| genealogy =
| regions = [[Moreh, India]] 

| languages = [[Tamil language|Tamil]] ([[first language|L1]]),<br /> [[Meitei language|Meitei (Manipuri)]] ([[second language|L2]])
| religions = Majority: [[Sri Vaishnavism|Hinduism]] <br /> Minority: [[Tamil Muslims|Islam]], [[Tamil Christians|Christianity]]
| related_groups = [[Meitei people]], [[Burmese people]], [[Kuki people]]
| footnotes =
}}

The northeastern Indian state of [[Manipur]] has a relatively large population of [[Tamil people|Tamils]], largely concentrated near the border of [[Myanmar]]. The town of [[Moreh, India|Moreh]] in particular, has an estimated 17,000 Tamils.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://manipur.nic.in/planning/DraftMSDR/Draft_SDR_pdf/Chapter%2011_Border%20Trade.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=19 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927000725/http://manipur.nic.in/planning/DraftMSDR/Draft_SDR_pdf/Chapter%2011_Border%20Trade.pdf |archive-date=27 September 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Tamils in Manipur have relatives and business contacts in Myanmar, which is a valuable network, facilitating [[cross-border trade]].

==History {{anchor|Kuki-Tamil communal clash of 1992|Tamil-Kuki communal clash of 1992}} ==
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]] challenging, so they decided to return to Burma through land. They were stopped by Burmese immigration at the border town of [[Moreh, India|Moreh]] and settled there as a result.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tamilsangammoreh.org/aboutus.php |title=About Tamil Sangam in Moreh State, Coming of Tamils to Morh, Manipur State |accessdate=2011-01-19 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110705110413/http://tamilsangammoreh.org/aboutus.php |archivedate=2011-07-05 }}</ref>

Around 1992, there were [[1992 Kuki-Tamil clashes|clashes]] between the Tamil and [[Kuki peoples|Kuki]] communities due to attempts by Kuki militants to impose heavy taxes on Tamil businesses.The issue was amicably resolved after the Tamil community struck a deal to invest in the local business, health and education that would benefit the Kuki community as well. <ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ide.go.jp/English/Publish/Download/Jrp/pdf/133_6.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=19 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110617035710/http://www.ide.go.jp/English/Publish/Download/Jrp/pdf/133_6.pdf |archive-date=17 June 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

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]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indoburmanews.net/fencing-at-border-pillar-78-turning-controversial/ |title=Fencing at border pillar 78 turning controversial — Indo-Burma News |accessdate=2011-01-19 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722230221/http://www.indoburmanews.net/fencing-at-border-pillar-78-turning-controversial/ |archivedate=2011-07-22 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.easternmirrornagaland.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=21960:decision-to-hand-over-temple-in-moreh-to-myanmar-draws-flak&catid=52:regional-news&Itemid=54|title=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|website=www.easternmirrornagaland.com|access-date=2018-05-16}}</ref> One of the gates of this temple is in Burmese territory.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kamakotisevajharkhand.org/manipur.html |title=Kendra Activities at Manipur |accessdate=2011-01-19 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101119025209/http://www.kamakotisevajharkhand.org/manipur.html |archivedate=2010-11-19 }}</ref>

==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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tamilsangammoreh.org/aboutus.php |title=About Tamil Sangam in Moreh State, Coming of Tamils to Morh, Manipur State |accessdate=2011-01-19 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110705110413/http://tamilsangammoreh.org/aboutus.php |archivedate=2011-07-05 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Saikia |first=Arunabh |date=2019-02-24 |title=After six decades, Manipur’s Burmese Tamils get a glimpse of their ancestral places in Myanmar |url=https://scroll.in/article/913335/after-six-decades-manipurs-burmese-tamils-get-a-glimpse-of-their-ancestral-places-in-myanmar |access-date=2026-02-05 |website=Scroll.in |language=en-US}}</ref>

The [[Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham]] has been involved in spiritual activities in Manipur.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kamakotisevajharkhand.org/manipur.html |title=Kendra Activities at Manipur |accessdate=2011-01-19 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101119025209/http://www.kamakotisevajharkhand.org/manipur.html |archivedate=2010-11-19 }}</ref>

==Entertainment==
Over the past several years, [[Tamil film]]s have garnered popularity slowly in Manipur, partly due to a ban on [[Hindi language]] entertainment by militant groups such as the [[Revolutionary People's Front (RPF)]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/prepak.htm|title= Revolutionary People's Front (RPF)|last=Pike|first=John|access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/calcutta-times/No-Amitabh-SRK-films-in-Manipur/articleshow/733398.cms|title=No Amitabh, SRK films in Manipur – Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.caravanmagazine.in/Story/522/Korea-Comes-to-Manipur.html |title=Korea Comes to Manipur |accessdate=2012-04-04 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120427014851/http://www.caravanmagazine.in/Story/522/Korea-Comes-to-Manipur.html |archivedate=2012-04-27 }}</ref>
There is a reference to the Tamil community in Manipur in [[The Family Man (Indian TV series)]] Season 3 episode 6.

== Impact of 2023 Manipur Violence ==
After the Kukis were attacked in Imphal, Kuki mobs targeted Meitei homes and properties in Moreh resulting in the collateral damage of more than 45 houses and shops of Tamils being burned as they were close to Meitei homes during the [[2023 Manipur violence|2023 ethnic clash between the Meiteis and the Kukis]]. <ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-08-10 |title=Manipur : 'Rioters tried to enter my house. When they couldn't, they burned it' |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/rioters-tried-to-enter-my-house-when-they-couldnt-they-burned-it/articleshow/102599144.cms |access-date=2023-10-03 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ghosh |first=Partha S. |date=2023-09-24 |title=Manipur's Tamil connection, via Myanmar: How ethnic polarisation has marooned the community again |url=https://scroll.in/article/1055608/manipurs-tamil-connection-via-myanmar-how-ethnic-polarisation-has-marooned-the-community-again |access-date=2023-10-03 |website=Scroll.in |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Sabir |first=Aaisha |date=2023-09-02 |title=Tamils caught in the crossfire in strife-torn Manipur |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pick-a-side-or-leave-difficult-decisions-for-tamils-in-manipur/article67264697.ece |access-date=2023-10-03 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Manipur violence: Abandoned houses belonging to Meiteis torched at India-Myanmar border town |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2023/jul/26/manipur-violence-abandoned-houses-belonging-to-meiteis-torched-at-india-myanmar-border-town-2598765.html |access-date=2023-10-03 |website=The New Indian Express}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Manipur Tamil Community}}
[[Category:Ethnic groups in Manipur]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Manipur]]
[[Category:Tamil society]]

Manipuri Tamils - Revision history

ChristenaMcGraw: created a info v1.