Chief Minister in the Dock

By Thongkholal Haokip Indian Express, 11 October 2023. PDF N. Biren Singh government’s decisions in Manipur have increased hostility among communities, prolonged current impasse. Last month, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh requested the central government to revoke the Free Movement Regime (FMR) agreement with Myanmar in order to curb the influx of the so-called “illegal immigrants”, allegedly responsible for […]

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A Silencing in Manipur

Rules for academic publication, conduct of teachers pose a risk for democracy. By Thongkholal Haokip The Indian Express, 1 December 2022, p. 15. On September 15, the government of Manipur issued an order that requires prior approval to publish books on the state. Listing certain topics that are under scrutiny, a committee will examine the manuscripts. The topics include works […]

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Tribalism & its tragedy

By Thongkholal Haokip Tribal bodies in the North-east, with perniciously self-serving leaders at the helm, usurp the role of constitutionally recognised traditional institutions. Tribalism & its tragedy Tension gripped Nagaland in early 2017 over the reservation of one-third seats for women in urban local bodies of the state. It happened after the Naga Mothers’ Association, which is functioning as an […]

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Lingering trauma of a black September

Memories of the gruesome Tamei massacre haven’t faded for the Kukis as they continue to observe a traditional rite every year until the crime is resolved according to their customary laws. Thongkholal Haokip The Statesman, 13 September 2021. Fulltext PDF Lingering trauma of a black September Twenty-eight years ago, on 13 September, 88 innocent civil- ians, including a multitude of […]

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Much ado about nothing

Thongkholal Haokip The melee surrounding the proposed district councils bill in Manipur is nothing but a manifestation of deep divide between the hills and valley. A collective of eighteen MLAs from the hill areas of Manipur, including Chairman of the Hill Areas Committee, drafted “The Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Councils Bill, 2021” to be introduced in the 13th Session […]

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Retrospection of Nungbrang Incident

By Thongkholal Haokip Time and again the Kuki people had been subjected to various forms of abuses and revilement by our so called neighbouring communities, not taking into account the galore intimidations and killings perpetrated by the security forces and militant groups. Such irreverent incidents were vented in curses with minimum justice that can be meted out from the government […]

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Reorganisation Of District Boundaries In Manipur: Issues And Perspectives

By Thongkholal Haokip Hueiyen Lanpao, September 17, 2011 A month after intense Sadar Hills agitation spearheaded by the Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee (SHDDC) since August 1, 2011 demanding upgradation of the Sadar Hills area of Senapati district into a full-fledged district, the indecisive cabinet of the Secular Progressive Front (SPF) government of the Manipur under Okram Ibobi Singh institute a […]

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A fraught question in Manipur

The power of eminent domain is not absolute as several extant laws limit the same to protect tribal land and forest. By Thongkholal Haokip The Statesman, 26 July 2021. N Biren Singh, chief minister of Manipur, recently said that “all lands belong to the state”. He was speaking during a week-long observance of “Van Mahotsav” or the forest festival where […]

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