OFFICE OF THE
ALL TRIBAL STUDENTS’ UNION MANIPUR HQTR : IMPHAL
BRANCHES: CHURACHANDPUR, CHANDEL, SENAPATI, TAMENGLONG, UKHRUL
Ref No…………………………
His Excellency
The President of the Republic of India
Rajtrapati Bhavan
New Delhi
Subject: Memorandum for immediate creation of a Union Territory Under Article 239 and 239A of the Constitution of India for the tribal peoples of Outer Manipur State.
Your Excellency,
On behalf of all the 29 recognised tribes in Manipur, we, the undersigned President and General Secretary of the All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM), humbly, but excercising our constitutional right, beg to address Your Excellency by submitting the following representation for safeguarding tribal and minority interest and survival by creating a separate administration unit, not less than a Union Territory under Article 239 and 239A of the Constitution of India, having a Legislative and Council of Ministers, consisting of all the tribal areas in the present State of Manipur. You are our ultimate hope under Article 3 of the Constitution.
The misery and sufferings of the tribals consequent upon the indeferrrent treatments, biased and domineering and corrupt administration of the State of Manipur and the factual historical documents of the tribals and of the Manipuris may be summed up as following:
The Meitei(s) and Manipuris are used interchangeably meaning the plain Manipuri (Meitei) speaking community inhabiting about 700 sq miles of plain area.
A. TRIBAL GRIEVANCES UNDER MANIPUR GOVERNMENT
1. CONSTANT ATTEMPTS FOR EXTENTION OF THE MANIPUR LAND
REVENUE AND LAND REFORMED ACT IN THE HILL AREAS:
When the Land Revenue and Land Reform Act of Assam was adopted by the State of Manipur in 1960, the whole of the hill areas was excluded from the jurisdiction of the Act for protection of the areas occupied by the tribals from time immemorial. But, the Government of Manipur, in an attempt to get hold of tribal land, have been trying to extend this act the the Hill Districts of Manipur, not only once, but many a times, and finally managed to extend this Act in certain tribal inhabited areas, by using intimidation, coercion, bribery, and cajoling (Govt order No 3//12/82 – LRC Annexure – A). The Manipuris or the Meiteis have been casting hungry eyes on tribal land so that they may grasp the land for their own.
2. IMPOSITION OF MANIPURI LANGUAGE:
There was no education among the tribals before the advent of the British. It was only they who introduced and brought education among the tribals. From that time onwards English is learnt. We had never learnt Manipuri, we do not learn it now, and we are not going to learn it in the future also. For the three-language formula will become four-language formula, which is an extra burden for the tribals and must be removed permanently. After a gap of a century, the State of Manipur has been trying to impose their language on the tribals through educational institutions and competitive examinations. The recent imposition of Major Indian Language (Manipuri) as a compulsory Paper I in the All India Civil Cervices Competitive Examination from 1998 for the candidates of Manipur, including the tribal candidates, has shocked all sections of the tribals. We shall never compromise on this matter. We are very apprehensive for the future of the tribals more than ever before. The latest imposition of Manipuri language on the tribals is in the Elementary School Leaving Certificate Examination at Class VIII level which no tribal pupil will be able to pass Vide Govt order No of 16th Jan 1999. No language can be imposed upon the tribals, now, nor in the future.
3. INSTIGATION OF INTER-TRIBAL CLASHES:
It is an unfortunate fact that most tribal community leaders in Manipur are
befooled and could not see the rasons why inter-tribal clashes are so frequent and deeprooted in Manipur. Each and every community is getting tired of these ethnic crisis but could not shun them totally in which thousands of homes, properties worth millions were burnt down, rendering them homeless and tens of hundreds of innocent lives were lost. No words can express its actual horrible state and its dreadful consequences. It seems there is no government to protect and shield them in this civilised age. Very few of the victims were paid meagre ex-gratia after a great pressure. Manipur State is sole responsible for these primitive ethnic clashes. We are aware enough to remember that the communal tension that broke out between the Manipuris and Muslims in 1994 in which the State Government took immediate action and succeeded in controlling the situation in a short span of 7(seven) days. But the tension that flare up between tribals for the last many years has not receded, and still does not invite the attention of the State Government. Therefore, these ethnic clashes will not return to normalcy so long as the tribals remain in Manipur. The only alternative to avoid this problem is to have a State of our own. The root cause of the internecine tribal feuds is the Meiteis (Manipuris) who are instigating the tribals to fight each other so that they can prevent tribal
unity and rule and dominate over the easily. The Meitei people, and the Manipur Government itself, as they started doing this practice during the times of our forefathers as pointed out below:
“The Manipuris found it easier to acquiesce in this oppression by the Thados than to coerce them, and the Thados were used on many occasions to punish Naga tribes whom the Manipuris were unable to reduce to submission. The superior cunning of the Manipuris enabled them to maintain their influence over the Thados by skilfully playing off one family against another. On one occasion three of the most powerful chiefs were enticed inside the royal enclosure in Imphal and treacherously murdered.”
(The Lushai Kuki Clans, by J.Shakespeare, p 192) (Annexure – B)
This was the method used by the Manipuris in their dealings with the tribals from the times of our ancestors, which is continued till today. Taking advantage of the innocence of the tribals, the cunning Manipuris encouraged one group of the tribals to make inroads, fightings, war against another. No good-will or favour can be expected from them ever.
4. VIOLATION OF SERVICE QUOTAS & PROMOTION RULES:
Enough protection for appointments to service in various departments is envisaged in the 100 point poster at the rate of 31 percent for the tribal candidates, and the same number of seats are reserved for promotion to the next higher rank. However, no department ever pays due regard to this policy of reservation. Therefore, every department under the State of Manipur has a much less number of tribal employees. Even the Tribal Welfare Department has fewer tribal staff than that of the general group.
5. YEARLY DIVERSION OF DEVELOPMENT FUNDS:
The tribals have been cheated in development programmes badly. Development plans cover the whole areas of the State. Nearly 91% of the total area of Manipur covers the hill areas and the remaining 9% of the total area of manipur covers the valley, the abode of the Manipuris. When the plans of development are made, the fund is obtained in the name of the tribal areas, but when actual implementation is done all the funds earmarked for the hill areas are diverted for the plain area where the Meitei live. Even development funds meant for tribals are diverted. This action, done in the dark, was brought to light by the Comptroller & Auditor General of India, published in the Imphal Free Press, Tuesday the 4th August, 1998 (Vol I, XXVIII) reported as below.
“Regarding the implementation of various tribal development schemes, the Comptroller & Auditor General of India found that a total of Rs 1.40 crores meant for implementation of agriculture programmes were irregularly paid in the period 1996-97 as grant-in-aids to the Manipur Tribal Development Corporation which spent the funds for payment of staff salary.
“Though the schemes were to cover only the five hill districts, a sum of Rs 52.12 lakhs were found to have been irregularly spent in the period 1992-96 for the people living in the valley district of Imphal”.
“A sum of Rs 23.42 lakhs, out of funds sanctioned under the Development of Primitive Tribes scheme, as well as Rs 4.95 lakhs under educational scheme and Rs 1.28 crores meant for construction of dispensaries and PHCs under Medical and Public Health schemes were found to be diverted for the purpose other than that for which they were sanctioned.
“GCI sheets valued at Rs 3.68 lakhs procured under housing schemes during 1992-94 were to be found missing”. (Annexure – C)
These facts and figures clearly show that the tribal people under Manipur will remain under-trodden and dominated and cheated as long as they stay in the State of Manipur. Development work in the hill areas is so much neglected that it may be called nil.
6. DISCRIMINATION IN ADMISSION TO EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS:
There are 2 (two) Universities in Manipur, viz Manipur University and Central Agriculture University in Manipur in addition to many colleges such as Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Polytechnic etc. All these institutions of higher education are confined in the area of Imphal only where there is no adequate space to meet the requirements for campus. And with regard to admission of tribal candidates, relaxation in the minimum marks is made and seats are reserved. But they do not have any meaning because they are not implemented. They become a shame.
7. NO POWER SUPPLY TO HILL VILLAGES:
After a long period of Indian independence, and after a long time of statehood being granted to Manipur, no power supply reached even the Sub-Divisional headquarters of the Hill Districts, inspite of funds being alloted in terms of crores, because of the active neglect of the department concerned for the hill areas.
8. Vth NATIONAL GAMES 1999 IN MANIPUR:
The Vth National Games was hosted by the State of Manipur. The state was busy enough to prepare for the games, and even many department funds were diverted for it to meet the necessary costs. We are sorry to mention that all the Stadia and the Houses for the National Games are confined in the congested Imphal area, totally neglecting the Hill Districts where there are a lot of lands available for the same. This expresses the unspoken words of the Manipuris that they never count all the Hill Districts as part and parcel of manipur. Therefore, extension of Article 239 of the Constitution of India for the tribal peoples of Outer Manipur does not mean the dismemberment of the territory of Manipur, but the just restoration of the tribals to their proper status.
9. MONOPOLY OF AIR AND DOORDARSHAN:
The discrimation in the All India Radio, Imphal Station, and of Doordarshan
programmes in Manipur against 29 recognised tribes is a great provocation to them. Almost the 24 hour programmes are monopolised for the Manipuri community only. In the 24 hour programmes some larger communities of the tribal are given a few minutes only. All other minority sections are not given any share in the programme at all. But, the Manipuris enjoy it like anything, wasting their programmes in worthless entertainment programmes. The tribals do not fail to see this biased attitude of the Meitei people, and it also keeps to sharpen the vision of their future state in Manipur. A separate administration not less than a Union Territory status is the only means of redressals of the aforesaid grievances.
10. SOCIAL DISTINCTION:
In the eyes of the Meiteis, the tribals are outcasts, unclean and untouchables. No social intercourse was ever possible to come to our aid and save us.
B. HISTORICAL PROOFS OF TRIBAL RIGHTS AND STATUS:
1. THE TRIBALS ARE DISTINCT FROM MANIPURIS:
The tribals are distinct from the Manipuris ethnically, culturally, linguistically,
socially and in every sphere of life. The contrast between the two cannot be too strongly emphasised. The different in social and economic, and religion background have made the relation between the tribals and Manipuris never too cordial. Suspicions and alienations never completely dissapear even at the best of relations. Consequentiallhy victimisation of the tribals by the Manipuris intensifies.
2. PAST & PRESENT STATUS OF THE TRIBALS:
Most tribals in North East India predominantly lived as independent and sovereign nations till the British advent in history. Their sovereignty and authority existed without any outside interference by governing and ruling themselves in accordance with their own customs and traditions under the despotic administration of their Chiefs. The decision of a village chief was the last and final, and binding to all. Thus, their landed properties were well protected and their institutions of administrative machinery under the Chiefs of the tribals were fully preserved. However, things were partially changed when the British Crown extended their power and ruled over these independent tribal countries, where the tribal resistence had to give way the superior force and lost their independence.
Folowing the Divide & Rule policy this un-divided country was bisected into fragments and many small countries, each was kept under one Political Agent of the British India. Regarding Manipur tribals, it was brought under the British rule after the victory of the British, by keeping the Hill administration under the personal responsibility of the Political Agent of British India in Manipur.
The Foreign Department Report on Chin Lushai Hills, September, 1982 reproduced by the Tribal Research Institute, Aizawl, Mizoram, clearly proves this point:
“… If it be so the case that in the population of Manipur, reckoned at from 250,000 to 270,000 there are some 80,000 to 90,000 Nagas and Kukis, it is obvious how important it is that we should hold a strong position at Manipur 6 with a view to eventually controlling these tribes, and in the course of time bringing the whole under the peaceful sway of British domination.” (p. 16)
(Annexure – D)
In the Matter of administration of justice and trial of cases the Maharaja of Manipur was not given any power over the hill tribes:
“Cases involving the British subjects and also hill people were tried by the Political Agent. Appeal against the Cheirup court were also heard by the Political Agent’s court. The Political Agent with the approval of the Chief Commissioner of Assam could give more than 7 years imprisonment and
death sentence.” (History of Manipur, by J.Roy, p. 162) (Annexure – E) The Manipur State Darbar Code resolution of 1936 Part II reproduced by itself recognised the historical facts mentioned above as following:
“Resolved that cow killing be forbidden in the whole state, and that the President, MSD in charge of the Hill Administration be requested to apply this rule among the hill tribes. The President regrets that he must dissent such a prohibition conflicts with hill customs of the old resolution, which prohibits the killing of cattle and buffaloes in the valley, appears to be sufficient. It is also not clear that the darbar has power to administer the hill tribes, or to make administrative rules directly affecting their customs”. (The Manipur Code Part II, Government of Manipur, Law Department, p. 132) (Annexure – F)
An ancient poem of the Meiteis also mentions Manipur valley as the real and only Manipur around which the hills stand and the tribal live:
“Manipura Sana-Leimayol,
Chingna Koyna Pansaba,
Haona Koyna Panngakpa !” ( History of Manipur by J.Roy, Forward, p. iv)
(Annexure – G)
Free English translation as following:
“Manipur, the land of precious gems,
The ranges of hills surround you as fence,
The Haos(tribals) keeping watch the fence”.
The Haos mentioned in the poem are the hill-men who live around the Manipur State, a contemptuous term used by the Manipuris, which was explained in No.LXXVIII Annual Report of the Munnipore Political Agency for 1868-69 by Dr Brown, Political Agent, Munnipore, as “The Hill-men generally are all named ‘Haow’ by the Manipuris”.(p. 92) (Annexure – H). The hill ranges that surround the Manipur State are the abode of the tribal peoples who ruled there themselves without outside interference. The Maharaja of Manipur ruled over his own Manipuri subjects in the valley. The British subjugation of the hill tribes brought changes in the administration pattern of the tribals. The British left the tribals very much to themselves to rule and govern themselves according to their customs and traditions and religious beliefs, under their vigilant supervision. The Manipur State Darbar of the Maharaja did never have a say in the hill area administration as noted by Sir Robert Reid, the Governor of Assam, in the History of the Frontier
Areas Bordering on Assam 1893-1941:
“(B) Cases where hill-men are concerned and cases arising in the British reserve are excluded from the Darbar’s civil and criminal jurisdiction.” (p. 78) (Annexure – I) “(C) Separate rules govern the administration of the Hills; and they are detailed in the chapter dealing with the subjects.” (p. 78) (Annexure – I)
And in selections From the Records of the Government of India, Foreign Department No CIX Annual Administration Report of the Munnipore Agency, For the Year Ending 30th June, 1873, published by the Authority, the hill tribes are stated as “the independent tribes” under section 17, in addition to the Treaty signed between the Maharaja of Manipur and the independent Cheifs of the tribals for mutual maintenance of peace in favour of the traders and businessman in either territories, which was witnessed by the Political Agent of Manipur and other high offiicials. (p. 7) (Annexure – J).
Further, in a confidential report No 3197 of 1891 from the Deputy Secretary of the Government of India in the Foreign Department to the Hon’ble Mr P C Lyon, CSS, Chief Secretary to the Government of Eastern Bengal and Assam, dated Shimla, the 7th October, 1908, reaffirmed the power of acquisition of properties of their subjects by the tribal Chiefs as following:
“The Governor General-in-Council therefore delegates to each local Government and administration the power to sanction acquisitions of immovable property within its territory by Chiefs and Notable of Native States under its own political control.” (Annexure – K)
Therefore, the inherent territorial rights of the tribal Chiefs had the absolute rights from the beginning till today. Not only the Chiefs had the right to acquire immovable property from their subjects, but they also collected levies in kind from their subjects annually as lords of the soils as pointed out by Bertram S. Carey and H N Truck, in ‘The Chin Hills Vol I’ as following:
“The Chiefs are lords of the soil within their boundaries, and if any aliens wish to enter a Chief’s territory and work his land, they must pay him the customary tithes.” (p. 201) (Annexure – L)
It was the British who brought the tribals under control. However, the annexation of the land of tribal Chiefs by the British Crown did not deprive them of the rights of ownership or title to the land and hamper the administration over their subjects. Therefore, the tribal Chiefs rule as independent and absolute Kings as noted by Col J Shakespeare in his book, “The Lushai Kuki Clans” as following:
“The Rajah is the sole and supreme authority in the village or villages under him, no one else being competent to give orders or inflict punishment except through him.”
“To assist him in carrying on the affairs of government the Rajah has a minister, no more frequent several, called ‘thusois’ or ‘muntries’ who have the privileges of being exempt from labour and taxation at his hands.” (p. 194) (Annexure – M)
“Each of the four clans is divided into separate and independent Rajahlics, of greater or less power and numbers, consisting of one or more villages, each of which power is supreme, and who has a civil list as long, in proportion to the means of his subjects, as that possessed by any other despot in the world. All these Rajahs are supposed to have sprung from the same stock, which, it is believed, originally had connection with the gods themselves. Their persons are, therefore, looked upon with the greatest respect and almost superstitious veneration, and their commands are in every case law.” (p. 193) ( Annexure –N)
“Henceforth, he ruled as an independent Chief, and his success of failure dependent on his own talent for ruling.” (p. 43) (Annexure – O)
Therefore, instead of tampering and hampering the tribal customary land ownership and institutions set up by the independent tribal Chiefs from time immemorial the British paramouncy preserved them from interference from the legislation power of the British India. Betram S. Carey and H N Truck further say:
“The villages are generally ruled by independent Chiefs and each village is
dealth with separately by the Asst Political Officer.” (p. 11) (Annexure – P)
Thus, instead of disturbing the administration of the tribals, the British confirmed and consolidated their rights based on the primitive administrative institutions set up by the Chiefs. The landed properties of the tribals of Manipur are so attached to the authority of the Chiefs that none can disturb it. None on earth had ever been declared as “the lord of the soil” by the British except the Chiefs of Indo-Burma border regions. It is a great mistake on the part of Manipur and that of India to presume that the tribals to be a part and parcel of Manipur. Manipur, which had no authority over us, now tries to deprive us of our property by using various means.
The number of these independent tribal Cheifs ordained and consolidated by the British Sanad are recorded in the book of Manipur Code II 1961, published by the Government of Manipur, Law Department. Since there is neither a common name for these tribal Chiefs’ territories nor a nomenclature acceptable to all communities of the tribals they are called as hill-men/tribals of Manipur Hill Area (Annexure – Q)
Apart from the consolidation of the British Sanad to the hereditary land ownership and chiefship of tribal Chiefs the Judicial Commissioner of Manipur maintained their rights in his judgement of Civil Writ Application Case No 20 of 1958 by declaring that there is no government Khas land in the hill villages of Manipur and the tribals do not hold their land under the pleasure of the Government, and the Gauhati High Court, Imphal Bench, upheld the territorial rights of tribals Chiefs in its Civil Rule No 1331 of 1990/91 whish is reproduced as hereunder:
“25.We are here concerned with Hill areas of Ukhrul sub-division (now district) which are inhabited by the Tangkhul Nagas who belong to the Scheduled tribes of Manipur. In AIR 1961, Manipur, Luitang Khullakpa and others Vs. Deputy Commissioner of Manipur and others, the learned judicial
Commissioner held that there is no Government Khas land in the hill areas of Ukhrul. The ownership of land situated in hill villages at Manipur vest in the villagers. They do not hold the land under the pleasure of the Government. It was held that if land is to be acquired for public purpose from the villagers of hill villagge, provision of Acquisition Act must be followed. We have gone through the above judgement and we are of the view that the findings of the learned Judicial Commissioner are correect and the decision rendered in this case still holds the field and we are entirely in agreement with the findings in the aforesaid case. In view of what has been discussed above, we do not accept the submission of the learned Government Advocate in this regard.”
(Annexure – R)
The history of Manipur by Jyotirmoy Roy states, “Of the total area of Manipur the valley covers 700 square miles, the rest is covered by hills. The Manipuri community lives in the valley. The hill area is the abode of the Nagas and the Kukis.” (p. 2) (Annexure – S)
And, “Pamheiba ascended the throne (1714) and assumed the title of Gharib Niwaz. All Naga Chiefs were invited at the coronation ceremony. The ministers and officials of Manipur received the Naga Chiefs, made friendship and intimacy with them. The Raja entertained the Naga Chiefs with good feasts and wine.” (p. 34) (Annexure – T)
The Naga Chiefs were invited as equals, and that there was never overlordship of the Maharaja of Manipur over the tribal Chiefs in the history of Manipur. The area of the territory of the Maharaja of Manipur covered the valley, measuring an area of about 700 sq miles as mentioned in the booked referred above, or 26,500 paris or hectre as recorded in ‘A Study of the Land System of Manipur,’ Directed by J N Das, and published by Law Research Institute, Eastern Region, Gauhati High Court, Gauhati, and under the Sponsorship of the North Eastern Council, Shillong. (Annexure – U) In the Munnipore Annual Report 1874 the tribal peoples were mentioned as “The hill-men are under the British District.” Since no change has been made, this declaration is still valid.
In consonance with what has been stated above two regulations were constituted in 1947 viz, “The Manipur State Constitution, 1947” for the valley Manipur people in which the State Assemply of Manipur has no direct power and administration authority in the Hills, as quoted hereunder:
“19. The State Assemply shall not tender advice to the council on any matter which is primary concern to the Hill People unless such advice has the support of a majority of the Hill Representatives in the Assembly.” (p. 5) (Annexure –U1)
“38. …….. Provided that the Local Authorities in the Hills shall exercise such powers of Local Self Government as may laid down in the Manipur State Hill (Administration) Regulation, 1947.” (p. 8)
And, in relative with administration of justice in the Hill Tracts the underquoted judiciary relation was enacted in the “Manipur State Courts Act 1947.” “32. The administration of justice in the Hill Tracts shall be governed by the Manipur Hill Peoples (Administration) Regulation 1947.”
“33. For the exercise of the functions vested in it by the Manipur State Hill
Peoples (Administration) Regulation 1947 the Chief Court shall in all cases sit with two Assessors who shall be nominated for each particular case by the member of the Executive Council responsible for Hill Administration.” (p. 6) (Annexure XI)
Thus, “The Manipur State Hill peoples (Administration) Regulation, 1947” for the tribal peoples inhabiting the hill ranges around Manipur State in which all the powers of lagislation, finance and judicial etc enjoyed by a State within the Constitution of india were incorporated. Further, for better administration of the tribals the Manipur Hill Village Authority Act 1956 was constituted accordingly.
(Annexure – V)
The fact that the tribals have been given a distinct and separate treatment can be clearly seen from the Constitution of Manipur, 1947 and the Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reformed Act, 1960. In the preamble of the said constitution it is stated that it extends to the whole state of Manipur including the Hill Areas thereof, whereas in the Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reformed Act it states this act will extend to the whole State of Manipur except the Hill Areas thereof.
All these facts give the tribals the right to decide to their future fate.
In affirming this fact the Election Commission of India, in consultation with the Chief Commissioner of Manipur, issued an order in the Delimitation of
parliamentary Constituency, 1957, named the territory of tribal Chiefs as “Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency,” which is still in force. This denotes the fact that the tribals are not within the State of Manipur. (Annexure – W)
3. MERGER OF MANIPUR WITH THE INDIAN UNION:
The merger agreement of Manipur with the Indian Union was signed between the Maharaja of Manipur (L) Shri Bodh Chandra Singh and Shri V P Menon, adviser to the Government of India, Ministry of States, on behalf of the Dominion of India on the 21st September, 1949 at Shillong, in which the Maharaja of Manipur surrendered his territory, titles, authority, rights and privileges, except his personal properties and religious rites, and received a sum of Rs 3 lakhs per year. Thus, the sovereignty and independence of Manipur as a country came to an end on the date
the Maharaja appended his signature on the historic merger agreement. (Annexure– X) The total area of Manipur merger agreement covered was his territory of 700 sq miles or 26,500 paris/hectares, not even a single inch of hill areas.
4. NO MERGER OF THE TRIBAL CHIEFS AND THEIR TERRITORIES:
The powers and authorities of the tribal chiefs are already highlighted in the
foregoing pages. They are the lords of the soil within the territory they occupied, ruled and governed. They collected taxes and levies from their subjects independently. So the merger agreement signed by the Manipuri Maharaja could not and did not cover the territory occupied by the tribal Chiefs and their subjects, because the Maharaja of Manipur was not a tribal representative who had authority to act on their behalf, and the tribals were not his subjects. No tribal Chief was invited to sign the accession agreement along with the Maharaja of Manipur. Since the tribal areas were never under his suzerainty, the Maharaja of Manipur had no legal standing and moral right or authority to act on behalf of the tribals. At the same time the accession instrument signed on 21st September, 1949 did not cover the hill areas which has been a separate entity.
(Annexure – Y)
The merger of Manipur to India in 1949 testified that all the Ruling Chiefs and Notable native States of British India excepts the Ruling Chiefs of the tribals in Outer Manipur were already merged with India. The same legitimate exploration and merger with India under the conditions of Union Territory provisions of the Consititution of India to enable the Government of India to have direct administration upon the tribal peoples as that of the direct administration existed during the British regime just to restore them from the exploitation of the cunning Manipuris is the aspiration and need of the hour for the tribal people.
Apart from the political injustice done to us, the tribals under the Manipuri majority domination, have no future in Manipur. The extension of the Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reform Act, 1960 to the hill areas has robbed the tribals of their most prized possession, viz, their land. The imposition of Manipur language upon the tribals through the All India Competitive Examination has robbed the tribal candidates of the chance of getting jobs. Diversion of funds earmarked for hill areas for the valley has robbed the tribals of development and growth. There are hundred ways in which the tribals in Manipur are being discriminated, exploited, despised, neglected, alienated and rejected politically, socially, economically, educationally and what not. Therefore, the alleged merger of the hill areas with Manipur under a single administrative unit is the greatest mistake committed by the Indian Government, and the gravest injustice done to the tribals. The time has now come for the hill tribes in Manipur to claim our birth-right to govern ourselves according to our customs and culture and tradition as provided by the Constitution of India, and for the Indian Government to correct the mistake and injustice done to us. We demand a separate administrative unit covering the whole hill areas of Manipur, occupied by the tribal Chiefs, for better administration and development on the tribals, or the Indian Government should try to prevent us from enjoying our position under the British dominion. In affirming, as has been pointed out, the territorial rights of the tribal Chiefs in the foregoing paragraphs Shri P K Jhalajit Singh, the most prominent historian and writer of the Manipuris in modern age wrote in his article “THE WAR OF 1891 – MANIPUR LAST WAR OF INDEPENDENCE” in the Special Issue in
Manipur TODAY, KHONGJOM DAY, the 23rd April, 1994, Vol XV No 2,
published by the Directorate of Information & Public Relations, Government of Manipur, as here below:
“According to the British plan, all the three columns were to meet at Manipur (i.e at Imphal) on the 27th April, 1981.”
“Immediately after taking Manipur (now called Imphal) ….” (Annexure – Z)
The modern historian and most prominent writer of the Manipuris (Meiteis) has rendered the actual area of Manipur i.e Imphal in his article of 1994. This seal the factual ground reality between the territory of the State of Manipur and the territory of the tribal independent Chiefs. No Manipuri ever count the Hill Areas as part and parcel of Manipur State in the past, and also in the future as well. We, therefore, request Your Excelency kindly see that the tribals are saved from the total absorbtion schemes and ill-treatments of the Meiteis (Manipuris) and create a separate Administrative Unit, not less than the status of Union Territory, having a Legislative with a Council of Ministers under Article 239 of the Consititution of India, which is the deserved provision for the independent tribal Chiefs and their subjects, covering the whole Hill Districts of Outer Manipur viz Churachandpur, Chandel, Senapati, Ukhrul, Tamenglong Districts and Jiribam Sub-Division within 3(three) months for the sake of justice.
Yours Faithfully,
(WISHINGTON SHINGLAI)
General Secretary
(E VUNGKHOLIAN)
President
ALL TRIBAL STUDENTS’ UNION MANIPUR
