Songpi: April 12, 2026
The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) has come out strongly against a recent Hill Areas Committee resolution that proposes setting up temporary Administrative Committees across the state’s hill districts.
In a statement released from its secretariat, the apex Kuki body described the March 12, 2026 HAC resolution as “unprecedented, untenable, and legally impermissible” within the framework that governs hill administration.
The resolution recommends constituting 24-member Administrative Committees in each hill district. The proposed composition includes former Autonomous District Council members, local governance experts, eminent persons, intellectuals, and two government nominees.
KIM categorically rejected the plan, stating that the Autonomous District Councils Act makes no provision for forming such Administrative Committees through selection or nomination.
Calling it a “clear deviation” from statutory provisions, the organization argued that the move lacks legal foundation and amounts to an arbitrary administrative experiment.
According to the statement, the proposal undermines constitutional safeguards put in place to protect tribal autonomy in Manipur’s hill areas, particularly those under Article 371C of the Constitution.
KIM also pointed to long-pending tribal demands for amendments to the ADC Act that would grant councils substantive powers. It cited the stalled ADC Bill, 2021 as an example of the state government’s inaction on tribal empowerment.
The body said the absence of meaningful powers has already weakened ADCs to the point that tribal organizations had previously opposed holding council elections under the current framework.
Warning against any ad hoc arrangements that bypass existing law, KIM said such mechanisms are unacceptable and cannot address the political aspirations of tribal communities. It termed the HAC’s proposal “superficial administrative intervention.”
Reaffirming its core political demand, the organization said it remains committed to seeking a Union Territory with Legislature for the Kuki people under Article 239A. It described the demand as “steadfast, unequivocal, and non-negotiable,” adding that it will not be distracted by diversionary tactics.
The statement was issued by Janghaolun Haokip, Secretary of Information and Publicity, Kuki Inpi Manipur, who stressed that the group’s focus remains on securing genuine political empowerment and structural justice for tribal communities.
Edited by Kukiland Media
