Churachandpur, March 9: The Kuki Students’ Organisation General Headquarters (KSO-GHQ) has strongly condemned the recent remark made by Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) Dr. Angomcha Bimol Akoijam questioning the relevance and existence of the Hill Areas Committee (HAC) in the Manipur Legislative Assembly.
In a press communiqué issued on Sunday, the student body described the MP’s comments as “surprising and disappointing,” stating that a person of his academic standing should understand the constitutional and historical rationale behind the creation of the Hill Areas Committee under Article 371C of the Constitution of India.
The KSO-GHQ stated that Dr. Akoijam’s remarks on the hill areas, tribal land, forest rights and constitutional safeguards for tribal communities either reflect a serious misunderstanding of the constitutional framework governing the state or a deliberate attempt to undermine long-standing protections for indigenous tribal communities in Manipur’s hill districts.
The organisation acknowledged that constitutional safeguards granted to Scheduled Tribes in Manipur may be “unique,” but emphasised that such protections are part of a broader constitutional framework recognising the distinct socio-political realities of the Northeastern region of the country. It cited similar provisions such as Article 371A for Nagaland, Article 371G for Mizoram, Article 371B and Article 244A for Assam, which safeguard customary laws, land rights, and governance systems of indigenous communities.
According to KSO-GHQ, the inclusion of Article 371C when Manipur attained statehood in 1972 was necessary because land falls under the State List. Without such a safeguard, the customary land ownership systems of hill tribes could have been overridden by legislative majoritarianism.
“For generations, land in the hill areas has been collectively owned and governed under customary tribal institutions, forming the backbone of tribal identity, culture, and livelihood,” the organisation said, adding that these systems are constitutionally recognised protections meant to preserve indigenous rights.
The statement further noted that the Hill Areas Committee was instituted to ensure that legislation affecting the hill areas, particularly concerning land and forests, cannot be imposed without the participation and consent of elected representatives from Scheduled Tribe communities.
The KSO-GHQ warned that any attempt to dilute, question, or delegitimise this constitutional safeguard raises serious concerns regarding the intent behind such statements.
The organisation also stressed that the issue goes beyond the interests of a single community and concerns all indigenous tribal peoples inhabiting Manipur’s hill districts. It added that political affiliations often become secondary when matters relating to tribal land rights and constitutional protections arise.
“At a time when inter-community relations in Manipur remain fragile, it is irresponsible for public leaders to make statements that create confusion or cast doubt on constitutional protections meant to safeguard tribal interests,” the communiqué stated.
The KSO-GHQ called upon Dr. Angomcha Bimol Akoijam and the Congress party to issue an immediate clarification regarding their position on constitutional safeguards for hill areas, customary land ownership systems of tribal communities, and the implications of extending Scheduled Tribe status to communities outside the recognised tribal groups of Manipur.
Reaffirming its stand, the Kuki Students’ Organisation said it remains committed to defending the constitutional rights, ancestral land, and identity of the tribal peoples of Manipur. “These rights are not concessions granted by political authorities but the rightful inheritance of indigenous communities, and they will be protected with unity, vigilance, and resolve,” the statement added.
Notably, the All Naga Students Association Manipur (ANSAM) had also issued similar statement denouncing the statement of the Hon’ble MP on the same, and sought a public clarification from him.
