Thadou Inpi cautions on issuing ST certificates
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 20 2025: Raising serious concerns about potential loopholes in the issuance of Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificates, the Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM) has urged the Government of Manipur to implement more stringent verification processes to safeguard against misuse and National security risks.

TIM, in a statement issued by its joint general secretary Manggou Thadou, listed a series of demands in regard to issuance of ST certificates.

TIM urged the Government of Manipur to make the verification process for ST certificates transparent, stringent, and uniform across the State.

It also demanded that the Government clearly define and publish the documents required, particularly those related to parental background and affidavits, along with a step-by-step procedure for issuance of ST certificates.

Explain the Constitutional and historical basis of the "Any Kuki Tribes" category, which, in practice, is open to anyone claiming to be Kuki, regardless of their cultural or ethnic background, including even non-tribal, non-locals, and illegal immigrants, it urged.

Further urging the Government to immediately implement measures to prevent individuals from applying for or receiving multiple ST certificates under different ST names, TIM added that an individual can only belong to one distinct linguistic and cultural tribe, as specified in Manipur's Scheduled Tribe list.

The practice of holding multiple tribe certificates or multiple tribal identities undermines the integrity of the system and is contrary to the very basis of tribal identity, it said.

The Government should immediately cease the issuance of certificates under the "Any Kuki Tribes" category to prevent further abuse by non-local residents and illegal immigrants, TIM added.

Saying that the issue of Scheduled Tribe identity is not just administrative but also a matter of National security and integrity, TIM urged the Government of Manipur to act with urgency, clarity, and responsibility in the interest of the people of Manipur.

It, meanwhile, said that there was a recent case involving an applicant Laihminthang Khongsai, who applied for an ST certificate at the Office of the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), Nungba Sub-Division, Tamenglong District.

The applicant listed his tribe as "Any Kuki Tribes" and the application was subsequently rejected, it said and added that the application status can be verified on the Government of Manipur's e-District portal.

Saying that Thadou bodies have been raising serious concerns over the danger of 'Any Kuki Tribes' since the 1970s, TIM urged the Government of Manipur to clearly define the criteria and verification process for authenticating an individual's Scheduled Tribe status.

The issuing authorities should not rely solely on an applicant's claim, the Thadou Inpi said and questioned what methods and grounds are used for background checks and whether proper supporting documents are required and verified.

TIM further asked if a parent's ST certificate is a mandatory part of the verification process and whether applicants are required to submit a sworn affidavit regarding their community/ST status.

Given the issue of illegal immigration in the North East India, particularly the border States, the Thadou Inpi warned that issuing community/ST certificates without thorough scrutiny could pose a significant National security risk.

The Govt should clarify the historical and legal basis for the "Any Kuki tribes" category on the ST list, including its origin and recognition process, TIM said.

Saying that individuals can apply for and obtain multiple ST certificates using different tribe names, exploiting a loophole in the system, TIM added that this practice undermines the very purpose of ST status and must be rectified.

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