EastMojo news reported on 5th August 2024 that the Naga People’s Front (NPF), an ally of the BJP-led government in Manipur, has called on the state government to expedite the Autonomous District Council (ADC) elections. This statement was issued by its general secretary (Administration) Mr. Honreikhui Kashung, the NPF Manipur State Unit.
Under the prevailing situation of Meitei and Kuki-Zo conflict and the demand of the Kuki-Zo tribes for a separate administration/UT or territorial council, it is baffling that the NPF should ask for holding of the district council elections under the hopelessly outdated and antiquated Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act, 1971. This shocking statement brings forth the question why the Naga politicians seem to be far behind in policy formulation unlike the Kuki-Zo tribes. Consider the following and tell me if I am wrong:-
1. Several tribal areas of north eastern regions are in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution under Article 244 and Article 244-A since India became a Republic with a Constitution. The autonomous district/territorial councils are in four states namely Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura. The scope, jurisdiction, power and functions of the autonomous district/territorial councils are all laid down under Article 244, Article 244-A and the Sixth Schedule. The Bodoland territorial council is under Article 244-A which states that “Not withstanding anything in this Constitution, Parliament may, by law, form within the State of Assam an autonomous State comprising (whether wholly or in part) all or any of the tribal areas specified in Part I of the table appended to paragraph 20 of the Sixth Schedule and create therefor- …” Bodoland council under Article 244-A is akin to a State within a State. It is the most powerful autonomous council compared to other councils under Article 244. Realising that it is needless to re-invent the wheel, the Tipra Motha has modelled their demand and so has the ENPO for a Frontier Nagaland following the Bodoland Territorial council script. This is what the Nagas need to do. The tribes of Manipur should forget any thoughts of wishing for empowerment of the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act, 1971 through amendments etc as this Act will always be under the whims and fancy of the dominant community (Meiteis) who have 40 MLAs in a house of 60 and dominate the State government. But under Article 244-A and the Sixth Schedule, the scope, jurisdiction, functions and powers of the autonomous district/territorial council are enshrined in the Constitution and cannot be easily amended to its disadvantage. The question before the tribes of Manipur is whether they would like to be under the mercy of the dominant community or free themselves from them by having a self government enshrined in the Constitution.
The choice is obvious.
2. Manipur is the only State where the district council is constituted under an Act of the State (enacted by Parliament in 1971 as Manipur was a Part C State without legislative powers. It was basically a UT). The majority community in the State is Meitei community with 40 MLAs out of 60 and they constitute 53% of the State’s population. Under these circumstances, the tribes are subjugated and are under the thumb of the dominant community. The valley has empowered themselves with Panchayati Raj institutions since 1994 under Article 243 to Article 243 O of the constitution, but the tribes are denied an empowered self government in the form of district councils under Article 244. The tribes should not stoop down and kowtow to the tunes/enticement of manipulative politicians anymore seeking short term selfish benefits for themselves, but raise their voice demanding their rights denied to them for more than half a century.
3. The Kuki-Zo politicians understood the plight of the tribes of Manipur and the devious designs of the dominant community, and reacted strongly when the Manipur High Court passed an Order dated 27th March 2023 for giving ST (Scheduled Tribe) status to the Meitei community. The Nagas stood back and watched the mayhem that took place from 3rd May 2023 and the subjugation of a group of tribe (Kuki-Zo), singled out by the dominant community, is still continuing. Who knows the Nagas may be the next target in this game of divide and rule. The Kuki-Zo, knowing that there will never be any fair play and justice under the Manipur government dominated by Meitei community have asked for a separate administration. Regardless of whether the demand is tenable or not, a point has been made that they have lost the confidence of the State government ruled by Meiteis. There have been hints that the demand may scale down to territorial council under Article 244-A, which is a very practical move. At a time when the Kuki-Zo are asking for separate administration which could materialise in the form of autonomous district/territorial council under Article 244-A, the demand of the NPF for holding elections to the district council under the antiquated Manipur (Hill Areas) Act, 1971 is absurd and mind-boggling. This is the most shameful act and deserves condemnation by CSOs and the public. The Nagas should demand nothing less than what the Kuki-Zo tribes are demanding. Everyone is aware that there is a stalemate in the Indo-Naga peace talks of 27 years and no one can tell when the final settlement may take place. However, it is clear that the Nagas have to capitalise on the situation created by the Meitei and Kuki-Zo conflict and make a concerted demand, whether for a separate administration or autonomous district/territorial council under Article 244-A as the Kuki-Zo tribes have already done. Holding elections to the district council under the useless and powerless existing district council Act will amount to a sell out to the dominant community by the Naga politicians.
Ngaranmi Shimray
New Delhi
shimray2011@gmail.com