Perspectives of the Hill Tribals in Manipur
- Part I -

Oinam Nabakishore Singh *

In the backdrop of the ongoing conflict between Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities, which has witnessed intermittent firing and bombings on either side since the 3rd May, 2023, one should pay attention to unspoken and obvious points of view of all sides, especially of Kuki-Zo community involved in the conflict.

Before Independence, little attention was paid by Meitei Kings to the day-to-day administration of hill villages except during any resistance and opposition to the authority of the King. Being more well-organized, trained and stronger in military power, any revolt or assertion of authority by the tribal chiefs was easily subdued by the Meitei king, and they had to accept the authority of the latter.

Annual tributes were paid to Meitei King as a mark of subordination to him. Tribal villages in the hills of Manipur have been ruled by the chiefs as per customary laws. While Kuki-Zo chieftainship was hereditary, Naga villages elect chiefs of villages for certain fixed periods. In fact, in Naga villages, there is a council of village elders assigned with different roles in administration. It is, indeed, close to democracy as such leaders are elected by villagers by consensus.

Meitei kings did not take much interest in the affairs of tribal villages except when the territory of the kingdom is required to be defended. Kukis as a community learned use of firearms much earlier than other tribes. They knew how to prepare gunpowder from locally available materials. Perhaps each and every Kuki adult would know making guns, pellets and gunpowder.

They were superior to other tribes in war because of arms and ammunition available, and they conquered many Naga and Hmar villages. During my days of probation in Churachandpur in 1985-86, I visited Lungthulien village in Tippaimukh sub-division, where the Chief was a Kuki (Haokip), while the subjects were of Hmar tribe. There were many instances where the chief is a Kuki and subjects are Nagas in Tamenglong and Ukhrul districts.

According to Kuki tradition, sons of the chief are allowed to set up new villages in new areas allowing them to have control over the land and consequential benefits to the family members of the chief. It is not surprising to see the number of households in Kuki villages would be around twenty in average.

Hmar tribe, which inhabit Pherzawl district neighbouring Assam and Mizoram has bigger villages as distinct from Kuki settlements. For instance, Senvon in Tipaimukh sub-division, which the author visited in 1985 had more than 50 households. There lies a distinct socio-political difference between Kuki and Hmar tribes, which are responsible for their behavior and attitude towards struggle for power and control of resources.

After the British rule commenced in Manipur, administration of the State extended towards hill areas in Manipur. Christian missionaries in hill areas in the beginning of the 20th century brought about changes in the outlook and awareness of many hill tribes, who got converted to Christianity.

Through education and exposure to the western ideas imparted by the missionaries from the west, ideas of administration and representation in public affairs got instilled in many such people. As such, when the new Constitution of Manipur after independence was framed, there was a separate law, namely, Manipur Hill Regulation, 1948 to regulate administration of hills in Manipur.

There was adequate representation of hills in the first election to Manipur Legislative Assembly after independence. According to the Manipur Election Rules, 1948, 18 seats were reserved for the hill repre- sentatives out of 53 seats of the then Assembly. TC Tiankham, a Paite officer was made the Speaker of the first Assembly while MK Priyobrata was made the Chief Minister.

While considering the grant of Statehood to Manipur, the Government of India devised Constitutional safeguards for the tribes living in the hills of Manipur. One of the important safeguards is Article 371C, which reads as “[371C. Special provision with respect to the State of Manipur.—

(1) Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution, the President may, by order made with respect to the State of Manipur, provide for the constitution and functions of a committee of the Legislative Assembly of the State consisting of members of that Assembly elected from the Hill Areas of that State, for the modifications to be made in the rules of business of the Government and in the rules of procedure of the Legislative Assembly of the State and for any special responsibility of the Governor in order to secure the proper functioning of such committee.

(2) The Governor shall annually, or whenever so required by the President, make a report to the President regarding the adminis- tration of the Hill Areas in the State of Manipur and the executive power of the Union shall extend to the giving of directions to the State as to the administration of the said areas.

Explanation. —In this article, the expression “Hill Areas” means such areas as the President may, by order, declare to be Hill areas. Although Hill Areas Committee (HAC) has been constituted as envisaged under Artcile 371 C as a Committee of the Manipur Legislative Assembly and it functioned over the years, a lot of discontent has been aired by leaders of All Tribal Students Union, Manipur (ATSUM) and Kuki-Zo civil society organizations (CSOs) regarding its limitation and exercise of power.

For instance, when any administrative or legislative decision is taken by Manipur Government in respect of hill areas, they are of the opinion that the issue should be first discussed and cleared by the Hill Areas Committee.

The Constitution provides for modification in the Rules of Business of the State Government of Manipur according to the recommendation of the Hill Areas Committee to suit the administrative requirement of hill areas. So far, no such modification has been made. Instead of blaming the HAC for their acquiescence, tribal CSOs heap the blame on Manipur Government.

However, Manipur Government is required to make good for the omissions and lapses on their part in regard to administration of hill areas. Failure to do so will only aggravate the perception of disregard of Constitutional provisions by the State further and add fuel to the ongoing conflict.

While considering the grant of Statehood to the then Union Territory of Manipur, the Parliament passed Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act, 1971 to provide for local self-governance to hill areas by the elected members of such areas. At the beginning such Councils were functioning in a vibrant and energetic way with subjects like primary education, primary health care, etc. being assigned to them.

Elections were held regularly, and district council and their members were participating in governance. However, of late, no election to the councils have been held for years together. Failure to hold election to the Councils breed feelings of discrimination, disregard for legal and legitimate rights of the hill leaders to govern themselves.

Having elected representatives at the grassroots is a safety valve for ventilating the grievances of local people. There has been constant demand from leaders in the hills to hold election to district council. Blame for not holding election to the District Council lies squarely on the State administration. Denial of democratic and Constitutional rights to the people breed discontent with the leadership of the State.

Demand for the status of Scheduled Tribes by some CSOs of the Meitei community after about seventy years of independence is seen as an afterthought. Reservation of Meiteis as Scheduled Tribe is seen as a direct threat to the same in Government jobs and educational institutions for the tribals in the hills.

Reservation if granted to the Meiteis will remove the present distinction between the tribals and Meiteis, and it is considered to pave the way for settlement of Meiteis in hill areas. As of now, Meiteis can purchase land from the tribal in the valley with permission of the concerned Deputy Commissioner of the district in valley districts.

Such restriction in transfer of ownership is considered as a safeguard. Land is the most important asset for the tribal people when agriculture is their mainstay. Any attempt to encroach on land rights by others would be resisted with all might.

The order of Manipur High Court on the plea of reservation for Meiteis as Scheduled Tribe was protested by all tribes including Nagas. In fact, it was observed by the Supreme Court that it was beyond the ambit of Manipur High Court to pass such orders on reservation of communities.

Tribals in Manipur feel that Meitei community is more socially and educationally advanced and as such should not qualify to be included in Scheduled Tribe List. While this statement may be correct, Meiteis are also looking for a Constitutional safeguard for their existence. It may be possible to find a via media where both hill tribe and Meitei could agree on a middle path.

Such a solution could be explored through negotiations between the communities, where various options are placed on the table for consideration.