Manipur is one state where three major communities—Nagas, Kukis and Meiteis—dominate. The state covers an area of 22,327 square kilometers where 90% of it belongs to the tribal people (Kukis and Nagas). However, 60% of the total population of 27 lakhs is confined in the 10% valley area. This has prompted the Meitei community to have a serious calculation as the valley becomes over populated. But for the Article 371C in The Constitution of India the Meiteis who are in the general category do not have rights over tribal land. In order to check the population distribution imbalance the Manipur government has been making attempts to extend the Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (MLR & LR) Act in the hill districts of Senapati, Chandel, Ukhrul, Churachandpur and Tamenglong for a long time now. Because of the stiff opposition by the tribal people the state government of Manipur “is unable” to have its way. The three bills—the Protection of Manipur Peoples Bill, 2015, the Manipur Land Revenue & land Reforms (Seventh Amendment) Bill, 2015 and the Manipur Shop & Establishment (Second Amendment) Bill, 2015—were passed by the Manipur Legislative Assembly.Few hours after the bills were passed sporadic incidents filled the Churachandpur district headquarters. The agitation of the tribal people against the passing of the three bills on August 31 in a special sitting of the Manipur Legislative Assembly was on the perception that these bills are anti tribal and violate the provision of Article 371C and the Manipur State Hill People Regulation, 1947. The state government claimed that the amendment does not infringe upon Article 371C of the Indian Constitution. The state government also said that MLR&LR Act 1960 is applicable only in the four valley districts (Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal and Bishnupur) and a “small portion” of Churachandpur district. The state government further clarified that these three bills do not infringe on the existing rights of the tribal community settled in the state of Manipur and also do not impinges on the provision of Article 371C and the subsequent Presidential order of 1972 which provides for Scheduled areas and matters as also the Manipur State Hill People Regulation, 1947. It further clarified that the present amendment of MLR&LR Act which was passed in the Assembly does not extend to the hill areas and in no way it will affect or alter the present status of the tribal land. But these clarifications have failed to allay the apprehension of the tribal people. The Naga People’s Organisation (NPO) based in Senapati district has termed the action of the Manipur government as “targeted against the tribal people in Manipur”. The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) has warned that “any attempt by the government of Manipur to enact new laws or pass new Acts which shall directly or indirectly affect the interest of the tribals in general and the Kukis in particular will not be entertained.” All Naga Students Association Manipur (ANSAM) and Kuki Students Organisation (KSO) have also been fervently opposing the particular bill. As such, mere damage control measures of the state government are not going to resolve the issue.
