AS ETHNIC tensions continue to simmer in Manipur, there is rising concern over the monopolization of government power and bureaucracy by the Kuki community, particularly following the “communal” Congress Party’s decision to declare Kangpokpi a revenue district. This decision has transformed Kangpokpi into a repository of thousands of sensitive government documents, including vital land and revenue records. In such a volatile environment, the risk of these records being destroyed or manipulated by local factions is increasingly alarming.
One significant factor contributing to this power imbalance is the reassignment of a large number of government employees, predominantly from the Kuki community, to Kangpokpi and Churachandpur districts. With this influx of sensitive information and the strategic positioning of Kuki officials in key bureaucratic roles, the potential for administrative manipulation has surged. Kangpokpi, a melting pot of diverse ethnic communities, now holds crucial records that affect all groups in the region. Safeguarding these documents is essential to maintaining transparency and trust in governance, especially amidst the current crisis.
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Concerns about Kuki officials’ influence in local government offices have existed long before the current unrest. Their ability to manipulate administrative processes has tilted the balance of power in their favor, raising doubts about the integrity of government operations in the so called Kangpokpi district. As the crisis deepens, this issue has worsened, with no or very less non-Kuki officials posted in Kangpokpi district due to security concerns. The concentration of Kuki officials has reached unprecedented levels. This consolidation of power has created a breeding ground for unchecked influence and corruption.
One striking example of such manipulation is the renaming of Makui Mayangkhang village to Wakotphai village, which was established on the ancestral lands of the Makui Naga villagers without following proper governmental protocols set by the so called Kangpokpi District Administration.
The Makui villagers were left in disbelief and profound sorrow upon discovery that their formal objections had been disregarded, and records of their withheld consent were reportedly destroyed, erasing any trace of their stance. In the face of such actions, they are left with little recourse but faith, knowing that only the living God ultimately sees the truth and knows who is right or wrong in this matter. For years, Makui Mayangkhang village paid taxes to the Makui Naga village, however, over the passage of time, the Kukis, through their manipulation and strategic maneuvering, managed to skillfully and craftily transform the name of Makui Mayangkhang into Wakotphai village. In doing so, they removed the prefix “Makui”, effectively erasing the village’s connection to its Naga heritage and rebranding it as a completely new entity. This calculated alteration not only changed the village’s name but also subtly shifted its historical and geographical significance, aligning it more closely with Kuki interests and narratives, while distancing it from its Naga roots. This transformation represents a deliberate attempt to reshape the identity of the land and its people to suit the Kukis’ long-term objectives, supported by the so called Kangpokpi district administration.
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Today, the so called Kangpokpi district has become a hotspot for unlawful activities, including the kidnapping of government officials and extortion by Kuki militants. A recent example is the abduction of L. T. Memory by Kuki militants in June 2024 from the heart of Kangpokpi town. The lines between legitimate government authority and militant control are increasingly blurred, further destabilizing the region. This dangerous vacuum of power threatens the integrity of public governance, as the absence of diverse representation enables the exploitation of public resources and manipulation of official records. Even the Government bureaucrats in the so called Kangpokpi district have increasingly fallen under the influence of Kuki underground groups (UGs), making them vulnerable to manipulation.
The situation in the so called Kangpokpi district is further complicated by the proliferation of illegal villages, many of which were established by outsiders invited by previous inhabitants. This unchecked expansion poses a direct threat to the indigenous Naga communities and exacerbates the already fragile socio-political climate. The establishment of unauthorized settlements disrupts the demographic balance, raising serious concerns about the erosion of local governance and territorial integrity.
The rapid emergence of these illegal villages is not just an administrative issue—it has the potential to ignite serious conflict. This expansion represents a deliberate attempt to alter the region’s dynamics, challenging the authority of both local and state governments. As these new settlements grow, they contribute to an escalating sense of insecurity among indigenous groups, who view this encroachment as a direct threat to their ancestral lands and cultural heritage.
Another striking statistic highlights the gravity of this situation: over the past three decades, Kuki villages have surged by an astonishing 303%—from 179 villages in 1969 to 721 in 2023—all established on Naga ancestral land. Meanwhile, indigenous Liangmai Naga villages have steadily declined, signaling a demographic shift that raises pressing concerns about increasing tensions over land, resources, and cultural identity. To complicate matters further, ongoing crises have displaced more people, with Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) increasingly concentrated in the so called Kangpokpi district. If left unresolved, this unprecedented expansion of Kuki settlements could become a ticking time bomb, igniting conflict at any moment and plunging Manipur into another tragic episode of ethnic violence.
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It is a deeply concerning state of affairs that the so called Kangpokpi district administration lacks an effective mechanism to manage and check the influx of internal migration. Without adequate systems in place, the region faces mounting challenges in addressing the social, economic, and cultural pressures that accompany this movement of people. This administrative gap not only strains local resources but also heightens the risk of conflict, as communities struggle to maintain stability amidst shifting demographics.
The creation of Kangpokpi district by the Congress government, which favored the interests of a particular community, has come under increasing scrutiny. This district was established not for administrative efficiency but rather for political advantage and as part of a political vendetta against the Naga, driven by the communal agenda of the Congress government. Amid ongoing unrest and the Kangpokpi administration’s failures to manage an overwhelming influx of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), reconsidering the district’s formation has become imperative. Concerns are mounting over potential manipulation and tampering of official records, which is likely to be linked to the consolidation of government positions by Kuki officials. In this context, rolling back the district could be a critical step toward restoring balance and accountability within governance, safeguarding the integrity of administrative records, and addressing the underlying causes of current tensions.
At the core of this issue lies a crucial question: How will the state government address and resolve these escalating challenges? The stability and harmony of the region hinge upon the government’s strategy and actions in the face of these tensions. The longer these issues remain unresolved, the greater risk of widespread unrest. These issues not only risk deepening widespread unrest but also have the potential to draw in additional groups, further complicating the situation. This urgent need for action calls for proactive and inclusive measures to prevent further destabilization and foster lasting peace in the region. The course of action the government takes now will not only influence the immediate future but also determine the long-term well-being of all communities involved. The risks associated with monopolizing a particular community within the Kangpokpi district and the potential challenge to both local and state authorities should serve as a wake-up call for the current government. It is essential to ensure that we do not witness a repeat of past conflicts, such as the Kuki-Naga or Kuki-Meitei ethnic violence, in order to secure a harmonious future for all.
(The author is a freelance writer, and can be reached at liangmai367@gmail.com)
(This is not a Ukhrul Times publication. UT is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any reports or views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of Ukhrul Times.)
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