The Committee on Protection of Tribal Areas Manipur–Kuki Hills (COPTAM-KH) has strongly condemned what it described as an “unlawful, threatening and inflammatory” memorandum allegedly issued by the so-called Konsakhul (Konsaram) Village Authority against the Chief and residents of Leilon Vaiphei Village under Kangchup Geljang Sub-Division in Kangpokpi district.
In a statement issued by H. Haokip, Secretary Information and Publicity, COPTAM-KH accused the concerned village authority members of criminal intimidation, fabrication of historical records and issuing threats of forcible eviction against the tribal inhabitants of Leilon Vaiphei Village.
According to the statement, the disputed memorandum dated January 28, 2025 allegedly contained direct threats of eviction and warnings of possible “bloodshed,” which the organisation said had created fear, tension and serious apprehension among innocent tribal villagers. The committee termed such actions “highly irresponsible, unlawful and dangerous” to communal harmony and public peace in the hill areas of Manipur.
COPTAM-KH further raised serious concerns over the authenticity of a purported “lease agreement” claimed to have originated from the year 1920. The organisation alleged that the document bore characteristics of writing made with modern ballpoint pen ink, despite claims that it dated back more than a century. It argued that ballpoint pens were neither introduced nor commonly available in Manipur and India during that period, thereby casting doubt on the genuineness of the document.
The committee alleged that the circulation of such a document amounted to forgery, fabrication and deliberate distortion of history for unlawful territorial and political objectives.
The statement also asserted that Konsakhul (Konsaram) village itself was settled in the present location on humanitarian grounds and under the protection and goodwill of Leilon Vaiphei Village for many years. It claimed that, in the absence of reliable historical records, attempts were now allegedly being made to manipulate historical narratives through fabricated documents and propaganda in order to falsely claim ownership and dominance over Leilon Vaiphei Village and adjoining tribal lands.
Maintaining that no individual, village authority or organisation has the legal authority to threaten forcible eviction or intimidate tribal villagers based on fabricated historical claims, COPTAM-KH said such actions amounted to criminal intimidation, provocation and a direct threat to peace and stability in the region.
The organisation placed several demands before the authorities, including the immediate registration of an FIR against those responsible for issuing the alleged threatening memorandum. It also sought the immediate arrest and interrogation of the Chief, Chairman and Secretary of the so-called Konsakhul (Konsaram) Village Authority allegedly involved in the fabrication and circulation of the disputed lease agreement.
Further, the committee called for a scientific forensic examination of the purported historical document, including ink dating, handwriting analysis and material verification by competent forensic authorities.
COPTAM-KH additionally demanded adequate security and protection for the Chief and residents of Leilon Vaiphei Village against alleged intimidation, coercion and threats of unlawful eviction. It also appealed for immediate intervention by the Government of Manipur, the Ministry of Home Affairs and other competent law enforcement agencies to prevent further escalation of communal tension in Kangchup Geljang Sub-Division.
The committee appealed to all tribal communities and civil society organisations to maintain peace, unity and communal harmony while resisting attempts to distort tribal history and undermine the customary and constitutional rights of indigenous tribal villages.
Warning of possible deterioration in the law and order situation, COPTAM-KH stated that failure to take immediate legal action against those responsible could embolden anti-social elements and further destabilise the already fragile situation in the hill areas of Manipur.
Copies of the memorandum were also forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Chief Secretary of Manipur, Security Advisor, Director General of Police, Deputy Commissioner of Kangpokpi district, Superintendent of Police and the Sub-Divisional Officer of Kangchup-Geljang Sub-Division.
