Manipur Govt’s Misstep on Tribal Chieftainship Draws Strong Pushback

THE recent communication from the Manipur Home Department (Dated:24-11-2025), forwarding a request from the Meetei (Meitei) Tribe Union (MMMTU) to abolish the long-established tribal chieftainship system, is deeply troubling. Tribal chieftainship in the Kuki-Zo and other hill communities is not a mere administrative post; it is a cultural institution rooted in identity, heritage, and land stewardship. For the Manipur government to even entertain such a proposal—without consultation, consent, or respect for due process—signals a dangerous disregard for the constitutional rights and customary practices of the tribal people. Allowing a community-based Meitei organisation to influence policies concerning the hills exposes the government’s partiality and threatens the fragile peace of the state.

In this tense environment, the Kuki-Zo Council’s prompt and firm stand deserves appreciation. By raising its voice early, the Council has taken up its responsibility to defend the rights and institutions that have guided the tribal communities for generations. Their press release not only highlights the constitutional protections available to the hill tribes but also serves as a reminder that any attempt to undermine tribal autonomy will be met with unified resistance. Such timely intervention helps prevent unilateral actions that could further widen the divide between the valley and hill communities.

It must be underlined that the Hill Areas Committee (HAC) is the rightful guardian of tribal interests in Manipur. Its role is enshrined in law, and the state government cannot bypass it under any circumstance. Any move that attempts to alter, abolish, or redefine tribal chieftainship—without the free, prior, and informed consent of tribal chiefs and the tribal populace—is illegitimate and unconstitutional. Neither the Meiteis nor the Manipur government has the authority to touch the rights of the tribes. Respecting these boundaries is essential for justice, coexistence, and lasting harmony in Manipur.  

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