Many Manipur tribes want to break from earlier groupings

Imphal, June 16: The four tribes from Manipur which were among the 43 new tribes approved by the Union Cabinet for recognition as Scheduled Tribe, are Poumai, Kharam, Tarao and "any Kuki tribe subject to the correction of nomenclature of Vaiphai." The slight confusion over the nomenclature of Vaiphai, is over the spelling - whether it should end with "ei" as is written currently or with "ai" as was written earlier. As for the term "any Kuki tribe," it is not specified which tribes would be categorized in the group, but presumably it would mean any tribe that would use Kuki as a prefix or suffice to the names of their tribe. Manipur already has a list of 29 tribes recognized as Scheduled Tribes under the Constitution's (Scheduled Tribes Order 1950). No tribe by the nomenclature of Kuki or Naga, as an independent tribe is entered in the list. Earlier the state government had submitted a list of six tribes for consideration to be included in the Schedule Tribe list. They are: Poumai, Mate, Chongthu, Tarao, Inpui. (Inpui is the proposed new nomenclature of the Kabui which is already in the Schedule Tribe list). Already there are resentments shown by the tribes which did not make it to the list approved by the Union cabinet. An organization called the Tribe Recognition Demand Committee, Manipur, has made a representation to the chief minister, O Ibobi Singh, to initiate action for placing their grievances before the concerned authorities so that modifications can be made before a revision bill is prepared for approval of the Parliament. The tribes most annoyed by the Union cabinet decision and the part played by the Tribal Affairs minister, Jual Oram, are, Mate, Chongthu, Inpui, Baite, Chongloi, Doungel, Guite, Haokip, Hangsing, Khongsai, Milhiam, Neilshial, Lungdim, Suantak, Thangal, Tiddim Chin, Rongmei, Zemei, Liangmai, Khoiby/Uipo, Koren and so on. Most of these tribes are however clubbed as Kukis in general parlance as well as understanding, as they are all deemed to be sub-tribes and clans of the same family. Liangmai and Zemei are also already classified as Kacha Naga in the state's recognized Scheduled Tribes list. The nomenclature is a derivative from a term used by the British. The two closely related tribes have now applied for recognition as separate entities. Likewise Thangals want a separate recognition. The tribe is at present availing of the facilities and privileges of Schedule Tribe by identifying themselves as their kindred tribe, Thangal. Similarly, the Khoibu/Uipo is presently clubbed with the Marings, which is already a Scheduled Tribe. The sub-tribe however wants a separate identity now. In yet another case of the same nature, Chongthu are now applying not to be clubbed with the listed kindred tribe Thadou, as they say there are variations in their dresses and customs. The chief minister, O Ibobi, told IFF that he has given his assurance to the organization of these tribes that he will do all he can to make their grievance's and demands known to the Central government. He said he will be writing a letter to the concerned authorities in New Delhi on June 17 and go there himself on June 19 to pursue the matter further.