KSO slams MP Bimol Akoijam's remarks on HAC
calls it an attempt to undermine tribal constitutional safeguards
Source: The Sangai Express

Kangpokpi, March 09 2026: The Kuki Students' Organisation General Headquarters (KSO-GHQ) has strongly condemned recent remarks made by Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, Member of Parliament from lnner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency, questioning the relevance and existence of the Hill Areas Committee (HAC) in the Manipur Legislative Assembly.

In a press communique issued on Monday.

KSO-GHQ termed the MP's statement as "surprising and disappointing," stating that such remarks reflect either a serious misunderstanding of the constitutional framework governing the hill areas of Manipur or a deliberate attempt to weaken longstanding protections for indigenous tribal communities.

The student body emphasized that the Hill Areas Committee was established under Article 371C of the Constitution of India to safeguard the political, administrative, and land rights of the tribal populations inhabiting the hill districts of the state.

The KSO further pointed out that when Manipur attained statehood in 1972, the inclusion of Article 371C became necessary because land falls under the State List, making tribal land vulnerable to legislative majoritarianism without constitutional safeguards.

The organisation noted that land ownership and governance in the hill districts have traditionally been managed through customary tribal institutions for generations, forming the backbone of tribal identity, culture, and livelihood.

"The Hill Areas Committee exists precisely to ensure that legislation affecting the hill districts, particularly on matters of land and forests, cannot be imposed without the participation and consent of elected representatives from Scheduled Tribe communities," the KSO said, warning that attempts to question or dilute the committee's role raise serious concerns about the intent behind such statements.

"At a time when inter-community relations in Manipur remain fragile, it is irresponsible for public leaders to make statements that cast doubt on constitutional safeguards meant to protect tribal interests," the communique stated, adding that such comments only deepen mistrust and undermine efforts toward stability and mutual respect.

The KSO-GHQ has called upon Dr Bimol Akoijam and the Indian National Congress to issue an immediate clarification regarding their position on the constitutional protections for hill areas, the customary land ownership systems of tribal communities, and the implications of extending Scheduled Tribe status to communities outside the recognised tribal groups of Manipur.

Reaffirming its commitment to defending tribal rights, the organisation declared that the constitutional safeguards protecting the ancestral land, identity, and governance systems of the indigenous peoples of Manipur are not political concessions but inherent rights that must be preserved.

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