As speculation intensifies over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s anticipated visit to Manipur, tribal leaders and civil society organisations (CSOs) in the state’s hill areas are preparing to present a powerful memorandum urging the inclusion of Manipur’s hill areas under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. The initiative, reportedly led by apex Naga bodies and CSOs, is driven by deepening concerns over what they call systemic marginalisation and territorial encroachments by the dominant Meitei community.
Tribal Grievances and Constitutional Concerns
The memorandum highlights a litany of constitutional violations, land alienation tactics, and developmental exclusion faced by tribal communities in Manipur. Tribal leaders argue that the Meitei community has aggressively pursued legal and political measures to expand influence over the hill districts, including attempts to dilute Article 371-C, extend valley-centric land laws, and bypass constitutional safeguards.
Key Allegations Against Meitei-Dominated Institutions:
| Issue | Grievance |
|---|---|
| ST Status Demand | Meiteis seeking Scheduled Tribe status to access jobs, education quotas, and acquire tribal lands. |
| Land Encroachment | Efforts to redraw district boundaries and extend MLR&LR Act to “hill areas” to dilute land protections. |
| Legislative Overreach | Bypassing Hill Areas Committee (HAC) in passing laws like the 2015 Protection of Manipur People Bill. |
| Undermining HAC | Attempts to induct valley MLAs into HAC; Speaker and CM chairs kept by valley leaders, weakening HAC. |
| Budget Diversion | Tribal budget allocations not referred to HAC; posts and funds diverted to valley areas. |
| Institutional Imbalance | National/state institutions largely located in valley; inequitable distribution of projects. |
| Cultural Suppression | Cultural and linguistic imposition on tribal communities by dominant groups. |
Demand for Sixth Schedule Inclusion
The tribal communities, particularly the Nagas of Manipur, argue that many of their long-standing issues — especially those related to land, customary law, and self-governance — could be effectively addressed by bringing the “hill areas” under the Sixth Schedule via Article 244(2).
The Sixth Schedule, already operational in Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura, provides autonomous district councils (ADCs) the authority to legislate on land, customs, and local governance — powers the hill tribes in Manipur say they urgently need to prevent “alienation of ancestral lands” and “erosion of tribal identity.”
Proposed Constitutional Remedies
The tribal memorandum is likely to urge the Prime Minister to consider the following legal and policy measures:
| Proposal | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Sixth Schedule Inclusion (Article 244(2)) | Empower ADCs in hill areas with legislative, administrative, and judicial powers. |
| Strengthening Article 371-C via Presidential Order | Ensure proper functioning of HAC and equitable resource sharing. |
| Delimitation Based on 2001 Census | Address under-representation of tribal populations in state assembly. |
| Restoration of Proportionate Ministerial Representation | Demand 6 out of 12 cabinet berths for tribal MLAs. |
Urgency of the Tribal Voice
While the Nagas of Manipur have previously withheld such demands in anticipation of a political settlement under the Framework Agreement, the continued marginalisation has reached a “critical existential crisis,” says the statement by Aran Shimray.
Citing the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) and its push for the Frontier Nagaland Territory Authority (FNTA) as a constitutional approach to resolve regional disparity, the Nagas in Manipur assert they too must act decisively to safeguard their future — without conflicting with the ongoing peace process.
Conclusion: A Memorandum in the Making
With the PM’s rumoured visit hanging in the air, tribal civil society groups are expected to present a detailed, self-contained memorandum that outlines constitutional violations, development inequities, and legal demands.
The document aims to seek not just redress but constitutional empowerment through the Sixth Schedule, and a reinforcement of tribal rights under Article 371-C — a crucial juncture that could reshape the tribal-state relationship in Manipur.
“India is a union of diversity. If justice and equity are denied to the tribal peoples of Manipur, the very spirit of the Constitution is at stake.”
– Statement concludes.
This report was filed by Aran Shimray from New Delhi, based on inputs from tribal leaders and community organisations preparing for the Prime Minister’s upcoming visit.