The Thadou Inpi Manipur and the Meitei Alliance have jointly submitted a memorandum to the Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, demanding the immediate removal of the entry “Any Kuki Tribes” (AKT) from the list of Scheduled Tribes (ST) of Manipur. The memorandum, submitted in alignment with the official stance of the Government of Manipur, referenced cabinet decisions taken on October 19, 2018, and January 2, 2023. It also recalled the formal recommendation sent to the Ministry on February 8, 2023, calling for the deletion of AKT under Article 342 of the Constitution.
According to the signatories, the inclusion of AKT in the ST list in 2003 was politically motivated, lacking ethnographic and constitutional basis. They argued that AKT is not a recognized tribe but an ambiguous term that overlaps with existing recognised communities, particularly the Thadou, which has been constitutionally acknowledged since 1951. The memorandum emphasized that the entry has led to duplication, legal confusion, and ethnic tensions.
The groups claimed that no native tribes or communities, including the Thadou, Paite, Hmar, Vaiphei, Simte, or the Meitei and Naga groups, recognize AKT. Instead, it has allegedly allowed room for fabricated tribal identities and misuse of constitutional protections. They further noted that the term ‘Kuki’ is a broad political label without a distinct linguistic or cultural identity, used inconsistently across different northeastern states. They argued that this creates potential for illegal immigration, manipulation of tribal benefits, and long-term social unrest.
The memorandum also highlighted that colonial-era groupings such as ‘Any Kuki’, ‘Any Naga’, and ‘Any Lushai’ were discontinued in Manipur after 1956, following proper ethnographic surveys and recommendations. The re-inclusion of ‘Any Kuki Tribes’ in 2003 was described as a violation of this established framework.
Expressing concerns over potential security and demographic threats, the two groups urged the Ministry not to rename or modify the entry, but to completely remove it to preserve the legal integrity of the Scheduled Tribe list. They concluded that deleting AKT is necessary to protect the identity and unity of Manipur’s recognised tribes and to prevent further communal strife.
They called for urgent action to ensure justice, legal clarity, and peaceful coexistence in the state.