IT News
Imphal, Oct 19:
The Meitei Alliance has submitted a memorandum to the President of India, disputing factual inaccuracies in a recent report by the World Kuki-Zo Intellectual Council (WKZIC). The memorandum alleges that the WKZIC misrepresented the historical evolution of Manipur’s districts and divisions, urging the President to correct the misleading information.
The memorandum points out that the WKZIC inaccurately claimed six districts existed in 1972. According to the Meitei Alliance, only five districts were present at the time, based on a 1969 order issued by the Chief Commissioner. It also refutes the WKZIC’s mention of Sadar Hills and Tengnoupal as districts in 1972, describing the claim as incorrect.
Tracing the administrative history, the Meitei Alliance states that during the British Protectorate period (1824–1947), temporary sub-divisions were established to facilitate governance. In 1919, three sub-divisions were officially created: Churachandpur, Tamenglong, and Ukhrul. After Manipur’s integration into India, the state functioned as a single district with eight sub-divisions in 1950.
Further changes occurred in 1969, when the state was divided into five districts. In 1983, more districts were created and renamed to streamline administration. In 2016, Manipur reached its current structure of sixteen districts, following the bifurcation of several existing ones. The Meitei Alliance asserts that these administrative changes were made solely for governance purposes, not along tribal or ethnic lines.
The Meitei Alliance warns that any attempt to associate districts with specific communities could lead to misinterpretation of historical facts.
