Manipur: Kuki-Zo Council Strongly Opposes Move to Revive 1967 Chiefs’ Rights Act, Calls It Direct Attack on Tribal Autonomy

The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) has condemned fresh attempts to implement the long-dormant Manipur Hill Areas (Acquisition of Chiefs’ Rights) Act, 1967, terming it a “direct threat” to the traditional chieftainship system, tribal land ownership, and the constitutional safeguards enjoyed by hill tribes.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Monday, KZC Information & Publicity Secretary Ginza Vualzong revealed that on 24 November 2025, the Manipur Home Department forwarded a memorandum from the Meetei Tribe Union demanding abolition of tribal chieftainship to concerned authorities with instructions for “early action”.

“The fact that a non-tribal organisation is seeking to fundamentally alter tribal governance structures shows complete disregard for tribal rights,” the statement read, adding that raising such a provocative issue amid ongoing ethnic conflict and mass displacement of Kuki-Zo people is “deliberate and risks further escalation”.

The 1967 Act, though enacted decades ago, was never enforced precisely because it would dismantle the hereditary village chief system and customary land rights protected under Article 371C and other constitutional provisions for scheduled areas.

The Council has urged Governor L Acharya to immediately intervene and halt any move to revive the legislation under the prevailing volatile circumstances.

In a separate development, the Kuki-Zo body slammed the North Eastern Council’s decision (announced on 27 November) to sanction ₹2.13 crore for construction of a “Hill Chiefs’ Guest House” inside the heavily militarised Palace Compound in Imphal Valley.

“Kuki-Zo chiefs and ordinary citizens cannot safely enter Imphal today. Sanctioning such a project shows utter disconnect from ground realities and ignores the urgent rehabilitation needs of thousands of displaced tribal families,” the statement said, demanding that the NEC withhold the project until peace and free movement are restored.

Reiterating that protection of land, traditional institutions, and community rights is “non-negotiable”, the Kuki-Zo Council called upon the Government of India to expedite political dialogue and deliver a “fair, just and permanent” solution that guarantees safety, dignity and self-governance for the community.

The development comes against the backdrop of continuing ethnic violence in Manipur that has displaced over 60,000 people.

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