I AM WRITING to you regarding your recent article titled “Consequences due to existence of Hereditary Chieftainship in Manipur vis-a-vis ‘The Manipur Hill Areas (Acquisition of Chiefs’ Rights) Act, 1967” published in the Ukhrul Times on February 25, 2024 – 9:39pm.
I found your analysis of the consequences of hereditary chieftainship among Kuki tribes in Manipur insightful and thought-provoking. It is true that Kuki populations explosions have been greatly attributed to Kuki Hereditary system.
However, I noticed that while you extensively discussed the ills of hereditary chieftainship, there was a notable absence of discussion on another significant issue affecting tribal communities in Manipur: the Manipur Hills Village Authority Act 1956 (MHVA).
Related article | Consequences due to existence of Hereditary Chieftainship in Manipur vis-a-vis ‘The Manipur Hill Areas (Acquisition of Chiefs’ Rights) Act, 1967’
As you are aware, this act contains provisions that perpetuate undemocratic power structures, particularly through the automatic appointment of the hereditary headman as the ex-officio chairman of the village authority under section 4 clause IV of MHVA 1956.
I believe that addressing the provisions of the MHVA in your next writing would provide a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by tribal communities in Manipur.
Both the hereditary chieftainship among the Kuki tribes and the permanent chairmanship of the headman among the Naga or other tribes under the MHVA are undemocratic and unethical practices that warrant critical examination and discussion. Notable these unethical provisions are now existing only in the Manipur state.
Therefore, I kindly request you to consider exploring the implications of the MHVA in your future writings. Provisions that were relevant in those times may not be so today after half a century time lapse.
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Analyzing the effects of this legislation on tribal governance, community participation, and democratic principles would contribute significantly to the discourse on tribal rights and governance in Manipur.
I look forward to reading your future writings on this important subject.
Sincerely,
Y Ruivah
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