Imphal: Delhi Manipuri Society (DeMAS), Ningol United Progressive Initiative (NUPI) and Meitei Heritage Society have demanded to delete Kuki and Mizo tribes from the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list of Manipur.
The organisations jointly organized a grand celebration of International Indigenous Day at the India Habitat Centre on Friday.
The event brought together representatives from various indigenous Naga tribes and Meiteis of Manipur to commemorate their rich cultural heritage and discussed its preservation and advancement strategies.
The representatives from different Indigenous groups shared their experiences and perspectives on the challenges they face, including land rights, environmental threats, cultural erosion, and demographic change due to the influx of migrants. Due to several factors, the indigenous people of Manipur are increasingly facing danger in preserving their rich indigenous knowledge practices, and cultures.
“This platform provides a crucial space for dialogue and collaboration among indigenous leaders to address the pressing issues affecting their communities. Our ancestors have passed down heritage and culture through generations. It is our responsibility to protect them and share this knowledge for the benefit of future generations,” the three organizations said in a joint statement.
Speaking at the event, historian Mr. Malem Ningthouja said, “Indigenous communities in Manipur need to respect differences, promote respective uniqueness and build a common agenda to overcome the bigger threats looming over them. They have no other option but to build united fronts for a progressive common future. They must fight together against demographic invasion, ecological destruction, narco-capitalism, and cross-border terrorism.”
The event concluded with a call to action to support the efforts of Indigenous communities in protecting and promoting their heritage and requesting the Government of India and the Government of Manipur.
The organisations demanded deletion of ‘any Mizo tribe’ and ‘any Kuki tribe’ from the Scheduled Tribe list of Manipur government as it has been widely misused to include any clan or surnames as Mizo or Kuki tribe and urgent implementation of NRC as per extant law to protect the indigenous people of the state from the influx of illegal migrant, particularly from Myanmar and national security.
They appealed to the Government of Manipur to amend the Gazette Notification GSR No 309 dated 23rd September 2022 which erroneously defined “Indigenous Person” of Manipur. “A citizen of the country is different from the Indigenous people of Manipur.”
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