Kuki-ising localities mocks at Names of Places Act
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 19 2025: The emerging allegation of names of Meitei localities being changed to Kuki names in Moreh has cast a shadow on the effectiveness of the Manipur Names of Places Act, 2024 .

Enacted as a measure to curb illegal naming or renaming of places in the State, The Manipur Names of Places Act, 2024 came into effect from March 15, 2024 .

The Bill was passed by the State Assembly on March 4, 2024 .

According to the Act, the naming or renaming of any places in the State requires the prior concurrence of the Land Resources Department, Government of Manipur.

As per a provision of the Act, a Place Names Committee for the State of Manipur was constituted on December 19, 2024 .

The committee is to submit reports/recommendations regarding naming or alteration of names of places from time to time for its consideration.

The Act bans naming or renaming of places without the approval/consent of the competent authority, making it punishable by upto 3 years jail term (not less than 1 year) and a fine of upto Rs 2 lakh (not less than Rs 50,000) .

Even as the Act is in effect, its effectiveness has been questioned after reports and allegations of names of places being replaced with Kuki names have emerged.

Internally displaced persons from Moreh have alleged that names of at least five Meitei localities have been changed and replaced by Kuki names, violating the Manipur Names of Places Act, 2024.Similarly, Kuki civil society organisations and their student bodies have been often found using the name "Lamka" in place of "Churachandpur"--the original name of the place.

The Committee on Protection of Meetei Victims (COPMeV) recently alleged that the Meetei localities of Moreh Heinoumakhong Leikai and Turel Wangma Leikai had been renamed Chikim Village, Khunou Leikai as T Yangnom Village, Moreh Bazar Khongnangthaba Leikai as D Monophai Village, and Moreh Premnagar Mongyamba Leikai as Phaicham Village.

Notably, internally displaced persons (IDPs) of Moreh, had some time ago, burnt their ration and PMJAY cards bearing Kuki names of localities.

The IDPs recently had also claimed that the original names of the localities in Moreh have been found removed and replaced by Kuki names on Google Maps.

COPMeV had also alleged that the original names of Meitei localities in Moreh have been found replaced by Kuki names on the IDP Management Portal, a claim which has been reportedly denied by Government officials.

"It is a reality that names of Meitei localities in Moreh have been changed and replaced by Kuki names with an objective to erase the historical presence of the Meeteis in the border town.

There is an Act to stop this, however, it exists only on paper.

There is none enforcing it," said an internally displaced person, staying at a relief camp in Imphal.

The Manipur Names of Places Act was enacted and enforced in March 2024.However, Kuki civil societies and their many organisations are still using the "illegal name Lamka" in place of "Churachandpur" in their official press statements.

The Government sees this, but has not taken any action, said the IDP.

Most laws and Acts often have no effect in the hills, added the IDP .

"Merely enacting an Act is not enough.

To protect and preserve the original names of places and the associated historical and cultural values, the Government must strictly enforce the Act," said the IDP from Moreh.

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