The World Kuki-Zo Intellectual Council on October 13, 2024 submitted a two page Memorandum to the President of India that is basically to negate not only the demand of the United Naga Council to roll back the creation of seven new Districts in 2016 but also to buttress their demand for Separate Administration. One major argument is based on the misunderstanding between the Autonomous District Councils under the District Council Act of 1971 and the revenue districts. The Meitei Alliance in their representation dated October 19 addressed to the President of India debunked all the claims even narrating the changes that had occurred in the revenue administration since 1893 after Manipur was defeated by the British India and became a Protected State. There is no need to reproduce the claims and counter claims and anybody who had gone through both the memorandum/representation can come to their own conclusion; which one is more reliable and based on actual facts.
On October 21, Kuki Inpi Manipur submitted a 22 page representation to the Union Home Secretary supported by 108 pages of annexure on the subject “Rationale behind the creation of new districts in 2016 and Kuki stands on it”. It would not be possible to comment in detail in this column but it contains sweeping allegations against the Manipur government by misinterpreting the provisions of Article 371C. The allegation of the hatred of the Meitei towards the Kuki was not borne by the facts that it was the Meitei who in 1992 had helped them on humanitarian grounds during the Naga-Kuki clash of 1992-97. How the Kuki came to be settled in Moreh will be an eye opener provided the reality was recollected not the false narrative that Kuki were the first settlers of this town. And that Moreh was never a part of the ADC till 2009 election when without consulting the MAHUD department; villages were recognised within the Small Town area and made part of the ADC.
In a sense, Government of India’s intervention on the demand of the UNC for rolling back the creation of the 7 new districts by having tripartite meetings between the Centre, State and UNC was basically to ensure that law and order does not deteriorate as the Centre has literally no say in the revenue administration of any state. The consultations or the meeting are being held though not that frequently, especially after the present crisis started on May 03, 2023 and after a long hiatus, it was held recently at Delhi and the next meeting is scheduled next month at Senapati.
Many Meitei who were hardly interested in the creation of the new districts, except for those from Jiribam and Kakching who have been demanding for quite some time the districts; after the present crisis started joined the fray in demanding roll back perhaps without understanding the overall situation in their anger towards the Kuki who are seen as the perpetrators of the present crisis. That is the bane of the Manipuri, who react emotionally rather than rationally to any situation.
The Manipur Hill Areas Autonomous District Council Act, 1971 is a statute passed by the Parliament when Manipur was a UT and the term prefix Autonomous before District Council only indicate that it is autonomous of the revenue districts that was then prevailing which was 5 in number. The sub-divisions of Tengnoupal, Chandel and Chakpikarong was under the erstwhile Manipur Central District and as it was mainly populated by the tribal need to brought under the Act and the Kuki lobby of Manipur North District was strong enough to have a separate entity Sadar Hills carving out from the erstwhile Manipur North District. Neither Article 371C nor the Presidential order of 1972 “The Manipur Legislative Assembly (Hill Areas Committee) Order 1972” mentions about this Act or the Autonomous District Council.
Can the roll back of the creation of the seven new districts happen? It is most unlikely as time had elapsed considerably, of about eight years, and Kakching and Jiribam will oppose tooth and nail. Pherzawl also will not be eager to return back to Churachandpur as the Hmar are marginalised and the re-amalgamation of Thanlon Sub-Division to Churachandpur from Pherzawl District without any recommendation from the District Boundary Commission vide order NO. DRO-103/1/2021-REV-REVENUE dated January 06, 2022 was a setback for the new district as it makes it the smallest district in term of population. This decision was devoid of any logic and was done for political purposes on the eve of the 2022 state Assembly elections.
Further, the non-stationing of the DC in the district headquarters by functioning from Churachandpur makes the people disillusioned. Kangpokpi will fight tooth and nail while Kamjong and Noney may be forced to keep quiet on the roll back. One may recollect that when the new districts were announced many villages from Kamjong side welcomed the decision but were forced to retract in a couple of days. Phungyar side have been demanding a separate district and the assassination of Wungnaoshang Keishing was then linked to his involvement in the demand though they were unhappy when the district headquarters was made in Kamjong as they had proposed the new district with the then sub-divisions of Kasom Khullen, Phungyar and Kamjong as constituents with Headquarters at Phungyar, while Ukhrul district continues with Chingai and Ukhrul Sub-divisions. Noney district was also welcomed as there has been demand for a separate district for the Tongjei Maril area. Thus the creation of the new districts was made after popular demands but the objections relate to the ideology of certain community.
One is a bit surprised when petition were made to the President regarding the districts or even the Union Home Secretary as Land is in Entry number 18 of List II of the 7th Schedule of the Indian Constitution that is under the State List and the Union cannot dictate the state on the creation or amalgamation of districts. The maximum it will do is to refer the memorandum and representation to the State Government for necessary action as deemed fit. Informally at the political level it may advice, but not from the official level. The tendency to misinterpret events and orders is uncalled for as all sides have qualified and educated people and will bring out contrary views with logic and rationale. The belief that if untruth is repeated ad nauseaum, it will be deemed to be the truth is irrational and unlikely to happen.
Since it will be difficult to roll back the creation of the new districts the only way out is the redrawing of the district boundaries through the District Boundary Commission. The concept of ethnocentric district must pave way for multicultural districts, the boundary of which is based on administrative convenience. The claims and counter claims can be properly investigated and a reasonable district boundaries redrawn.
What is more important now is the election to the local bodies including the ADCs so that grass root democracy functions. Rather than waiting for the constitution of more ADCs, election must go ahead to the existing six ADCs. The Naga or the Kuki will have no objection to it per se. One or the other may object to the creation of more ADCs now because of various factors but there is no room for objection if election to the existing ADCs are held. Creating more ADCs and delimiting the wards will take a long time. For the Municipalities and the PRIs, the various systems adopted to ensure smooth flow of Finance Commission Funds are arbitrary and subject to court cases. Why can’t elections be held and let the people choose their nominee rather than appointing someone from the pocket as Chairperson or Adhakshya. Only when grass-root institution is made strong the people will taste the real fruit of democracy. The delay in holding election to the local bodies, both rural and urban only hampers developmental activities while also alienating the people from the government. The Kuki may at this juncture as they are demanding separate administration may not join, but so be it and those who are willing can join.
The tendency to run to the Government of India for any issues which falls within the jurisdiction of the State Government will only make the petitioners seems like a cry baby and their credibility may slowly ebb. Further misrepresenting or misinterpreting facts while submitting such petitions will only in the long run harm them as they will be seen as unreliable in their approach. Only those who come with clean hands can be considered and rewarded. Yes there are political issues that need strong lobby but on many matters truth can only prevail.
(The views expressed are personal)
