EastMojo news reported on August 5, 2024, that the Naga People’s Front (NPF), an ally of the BJP-led government in Manipur, has called on the state government to expedite the Autonomous District Council (ADC) elections. This statement was issued by its General Secretary (Administration), Mr. Honreikhui Kashung, of the NPF Manipur State Unit.
Given the ongoing conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities and the Kuki-Zo tribes’ demand for a Separate Administration, Union Territory, or territorial council, it is baffling that the NPF is pushing for district council elections under the outdated Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act of 1971. This shocking statement raises questions about why Naga politicians seem to lag in policy formulation compared to the Kuki-Zo tribes. Consider the following points.
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1. Several tribal areas in northeastern regions have been under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, covered by Article 244 and Article 244-A, since India became a Republic. The autonomous district and territorial councils exist in four states: Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura. The scope, jurisdiction, power, and functions of these councils are outlined in the Sixth Schedule. The Bodoland Territorial Council, under Article 244-A, states that “Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution, Parliament may, by law, form within the State of Assam an autonomous State comprising (whether wholly or in part) all or any of the tribal areas specified in Part I of the table appended to paragraph 20 of the Sixth Schedule and create therefor…” The Bodoland Council, akin to a state within a state, is the most powerful autonomous council compared to others under Article 244. Recognizing this, the TIPRA Motha and the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization (ENPO) have modeled their demands for Frontier Nagaland on the Bodoland Territorial Council. The Nagas should consider a similar approach. The tribes of Manipur should abandon any thoughts of empowering the outdated Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act of 1971 through amendments. This Act will always be at the mercy of the dominant Meitei community, which holds 40 of the 60 legislative seats and dominates the state government. Under Article 244-A and the Sixth Schedule, the scope, jurisdiction, functions, and powers of autonomous district and territorial councils are enshrined in the Constitution and cannot be easily amended to their disadvantage. The tribes of Manipur must decide whether they want to remain at the mercy of the dominant community or free themselves by establishing self-governance enshrined in the Constitution. The choice is obvious.
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2. Manipur is the only state where the district council is constituted under an Act of the State, enacted by Parliament in 1971 when Manipur was a Part C state without legislative powers. The Meitei community, which holds 40 of the 60 legislative seats and constitutes 53% of the state’s population, dominates the state. Under these circumstances, the tribes are subjugated and under the thumb of the dominant community. The valley has empowered itself with Panchayati Raj institutions since 1994 under Articles 243 to 243 O of the Constitution, but the tribes are denied empowered self-government in the form of district councils under Article 244. The tribes should not stoop down to the manipulative enticements of politicians seeking short-term selfish benefits but raise their voices to demand their rights, denied for more than half a century.
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3. The Kuki-Zo politicians understood the plight of the tribes of Manipur and the devious designs of the dominant community. They reacted strongly when the Manipur High Court passed an order on March 27, 2023, to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Meitei community. The Nagas stood by and watched the mayhem from May 3, 2023, as the subjugation of the Kuki-Zo tribes by the dominant community continued. Who knows, the Nagas could be the next target in this divide-and-rule game. The Kuki-Zo, realizing there would never be fair play and justice under the Meitei-dominated Manipur government, have demanded separate administration. Regardless of the feasibility of this demand, it highlights their lost confidence in the state government. There have been hints that the demand may scale down to a territorial council under Article 244-A, a very practical move. At a time when the Kuki-Zo are asking for separate administration, which could materialize as an autonomous district or territorial council under Article 244-A, the NPF’s demand for district council elections under the antiquated Manipur (Hill Areas) Act of 1971 is absurd and mind-boggling. This shameful act deserves condemnation by civil society organizations and the public. The Nagas should demand nothing less than what the Kuki-Zo tribes are demanding. Everyone knows there is a stalemate in the Indo-Naga peace talks of 27 years, and no one can predict when a final settlement will occur. However, the Nagas must capitalize on the situation created by the Meitei and Kuki-Zo conflict and make a concerted demand for a separate administration or autonomous district or territorial council under Article 244-A, as the Kuki-Zo tribes have done. Holding elections under the existing, ineffective district council Act will amount to a sell-out to the dominant community by the Naga politicians.
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(Ngaranmi Shimray is an activist and political observer based in New Delhi. Views are personal. Shimray2011@gmail.com. Feedback/comment @Aran Shimray on X)
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