Imphal, June 18, 2025: The Government of Manipur has officially begun enforcing “The Manipur Names of Places Act, 2024”, aimed at regulating the naming and renaming of places across the state. The legislation, published in the Extraordinary Gazette on March 15, 2024, is now fully operational, requiring prior approval from the Land Resources Department for any such changes.
An official memorandum issued by the Land Resources Department on June 18, 2025, notified all administrative departments and Deputy Commissioners to adhere strictly to the guidelines under the Act.
As per the memorandum, a Place Names Committee was constituted on December 19, 2024, and is tasked with submitting recommendations to the state government regarding the naming or alteration of place names.
Violations of the Act are punishable under Section 13, with:
• Imprisonment of not less than 1 year, extendable to 3 years
• A fine of not less than ₹50,000, which may go up to ₹2,00,000
The government has emphasized that any naming or renaming activity without the concurrence of the Land Resources Department will be deemed unlawful.
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Namoijam Kheda Varta Singh, Secretary (Land Resources), who issued the memorandum, urged strict compliance to maintain legal and administrative integrity in the naming of places.
The move comes as part of the state’s effort to regulate place names for historical, cultural, and administrative consistency.
