TNL demands more ST seats in Assembly
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 08 2025: The Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) has asserted that more Assembly seats should be marked for tribals.

"Enough is enough; no more to coexistence" if the existing delimitations are not completely revamped and restructured and weightage us given to topography and then to demography, it said.

According to the TNL's memorandum, the total area of Manipur is 20330 Sq Kms of which the valley commands 2000 Sq Kms while the rest 20,000 Sq Kms belong to the hills (tribals) .

Manipur has a population of 32 lakhs of which 17 lakhs are of the valley and the rest 15 lakhs are of the hills (tribals), it claimed.

The status quo should end forthwith in favour of the proposed change.

Whoever opposes the proposed revamp would be solely responsible for putting an end to coexistence, it said.

A seven-member delegation of TNL led by its president Sword Vashum called on Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at Raj Bhavan today.

The TNL team submitted three separate memorandums highlighting certain issues and challenges faced by the tribals of Manipur and the people of Ukhrul and Kamjong districts in particular.

The delegates emphasised the urgent need for enhanced tribal representation in the Legislative Assembly, according to a press release issued by the TNL, Media Cell.

This change is crucial to ensuring that the voice of tribal communities is adequately represented in governance and decision-making process.

The team also proposed bifurcation of the State budget into two components to cater to diverse needs of communities.

This approach is aimed at facilitating targeted development and ensuring funds are utilised effectively to benefit all segments of the population, said one of the memorandums.

The TNL also appealed to the Governor for financial assistance towards construction of a new office complex and a multi-purpose hall of TNL at Ukhrul.

The TNL delegates called for an immediate administrative solution to address the issues that have long plagued operation of various Government departments in the hill districts of Ukhrul and Kamjong.

These reforms are necessary to streamline operations and improve service delivery to the public, they said.

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