Imphal, Sept 12: A report issued by the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) has shed light on administrative errors in the inclusion of several hill villages in Manipur within valley districts during the 2011 Census.
This revelation, made during a State review of Manipur conducted by the NCST in December 2022, has significant implications for the rights and representation of tribal communities in the state.
According to the NCST’s report, Manipur erroneously included hill villages in valley districts in the Booklet of Census of India 2011 and Administrative Atlas. This error, which affected around 400 hill villages in districts such as Kakching, Tengnoupal, Kangpokpi, Imphal West, and Bishnupur, was brought to the state government’s attention by the Registrar General of India’s office in 2017. As a result, the Revenue department of Manipur took action in October 2022, directing the deputy commissioners of the affected districts to rectify the list of hill villages.
During its review, the NCST engaged with officials from the Manipur government and considered representations from the All Tribal Students Union Manipur (ATSUM) and the Joint Coordination Committee on Tribal Rights in Imphal (JCCOTR). The report also highlighted the need to reassess the withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958, from the hill areas of Manipur, given the improved peace situation in these regions. The AFSPA had already been withdrawn from 15 police stations in valley districts.
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In addition to the administrative errors, the report emphasized the importance of adhering to the definition of “Hill Areas” outlined in the Manipur Legislative Assembly (Hill Areas Committee) Order, 1972. It recommended the review or rescission of any orders, notifications, or legislative actions issued without the express approval of the Hill Areas Committee (HAC).
Discriminatory Policies and Concerns Raised by Tribal Bodies
The ATSUM raised several concerns, alleging discriminatory policies by the state government. It noted that 144 hill villages had been placed under the jurisdiction of police stations in valley districts, ostensibly for administrative convenience, which it considered a systematic way of encroaching into hill areas. Additionally, it pointed out that land records of several hill villages were in the custody of adjacent valley districts.
Furthermore, the ATSUM criticized the selective removal of the AFSPA from valley police districts but not hill districts, deeming it discriminatory. The ongoing ethnic conflict in Manipur between the dominant Meitei community in the valley and the Scheduled Tribe Kuki-Zo community in the hills has escalated over the past four months, with allegations that discriminatory policies played a role in sparking these clashes.
The tribal bodies also voiced concerns about the imposition of the Meitei/Manipuri language on Scheduled Tribe people in the state. Recruitment requirements for banking institutions and postal services mandated proof of passing Meitei/Manipuri language classes at the Class X or XII level, a challenge for many Scheduled Tribe students who opt for English or their traditional languages. The NCST called these policies unfair and discriminatory, urging their review in the interest of Scheduled Tribe communities in Manipur.
NCST’s Recommendations and Financial Utilization
The NCST’s report called on the Manipur government to examine all the points raised by the JCCOTR and the ATSUM in their representations and take appropriate action in the interest of Scheduled Tribe populations in the state. Additionally, the report highlighted the Manipur government’s inadequate utilization of funds allocated under the Central grant pursuant to Article 275(1) of the Constitution. Despite an allocation of ₹52.47 crore over the last three financial years (2020-21 to 2022-23), the state government had not utilized any of these funds. The report expressed concern that the Manipur government appeared uncommitted to securing timely funds from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
While the report was based on a review conducted in December 2022 and sought comprehensive information from the state government, the NCST issued a reminder on August 23, 2023, urging the Manipur government to submit an action taken report on the commission’s recommendations within 30 days. The findings and recommendations of the NCST’s report underscore the importance of rectifying administrative errors, addressing discriminatory policies, and upholding the rights of Scheduled Tribe communities in Manipur.
