Govt warns
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 07 2023: The State Government has cautioned and warned civil society organisations, institutions and individuals against renaming places in Manipur.

Those deliberately renaming or attempting to rename districts, sub-divisions, places, institutions and their addresses may be prosecuted under relevant law, said the Government in an order issued by Chief Secretary Dr Vineet Joshi on October 5 .

It has come to the notice of the State Government that many civil society organisations (CSOs), institutions, establishments and persons are deliberately renaming or trying to rename districts, sub-divisions, places, institutions and address of such institutions.

Such attempts to rename or renaming places and institutions are objectionable and it may create controversy and conflict between communities residing in the State, more particularly in the context of the ongoing law and order crisis after the Tribal Solidarity March organised by All Tribal Students Union Manipur on May 3, said the order.

"The State Government views the matter very seriously with utmost sensitivity as the same practice cited above may create mistrust amongst the communities and is likely to create divide or aggravate the current law and order situation in the State" .

No one shall make or attempt to make any deliberate act of renaming districts, sub-divisions, places, institutions and address of such institutions without the approval of the State Government.

Anyone found violating this order shall be prosecuted under relevant law of the land, said the order.

The Government also advised all Central and State Government authorities and management authorities of institutions/establishment/autonomous bodies to check the name and address of their respective offices, establishments under them in all signage, official communications, websites and all documents related to services provided to ensure compliance of the order.

All District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police of all districts shall take up necessary action to enforce the order, said the Government order. Notably, this came on the heels of an incident where displaced people of Moreh recently burnt their PMJAY cards for containing/inserting incorrect addresses.

The Committee on Protection of Meitei Victims in Moreh had said the addresses of the Meiteis and their localities have been found to be renamed on the PMJAY cards.

It had claimed that there had been rampant deliberate and unauthorized change of names of addresses of the residences of people of Moreh.

The committee had claimed that five Meitei villages in Moreh have been renamed and replaced by Kuki names.

Moreh Heinoumakhong Leikai and Moreh Turel Wangma Leikai have been renamed as Chikim village, Moreh Khunou Leikai has been renamed as T Yangnom village, Moreh Khongnangthaba Leikai Bazar has been renamed as D Monophai village, and Moreh Premnagar as Phaicham village, claimed the committee.

Also, reportedly, individuals and civil society organisations have been found using Lamka in place of Churachandpur district.

Comment