Former Chief Minister and sitting Heingang MLA N. Biren Singh has shot off a strongly worded letter to the Governor of Manipur, alleging a serious manipulation in the official text of the Manipur Legislative Assembly (Hill Areas Committee) Order, 1972.
The discrepancy, he claims, could have far-reaching consequences on governance, village recognition, and land issues in the hill areas of the state.
Biren’s revelation, made public through his social media platforms, has triggered intense debate and scrutiny, with many calling for immediate clarification from the State Assembly Secretariat.
In his letter dated June 25, Biren highlighted a critical alteration in Clause 9 of the Second Schedule under Scheduled Matters. While the original version in the Gazette of India reads: “The appointment of succession of Chiefs or Headman,” the version published in the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business by the Manipur Legislative Assembly appears as: “The appointment or succession of Chief or Headman.”
Terming the change “potentially deliberate,” Biren warned that this linguistic tweak—from “of” to “or”—has widened the scope of the provision, allowing for fresh appointments of chiefs or headmen instead of merely regulating traditional succession. He alleged that this shift has led to the unchecked proliferation of new villages and leadership structures, many of which may lack historical or customary legitimacy.
“This issue touches upon the very foundation of legal governance in the hill areas,” the former CM wrote, urging the Governor to launch an independent inquiry into when and how the modification occurred, and under whose authority. He also called for a comprehensive audit of newly declared villages and the appointments made under the altered provision.
The former CM has also attached copies of the original Gazette notification and the altered Assembly document for the Governor’s reference. The matter, now in the Governor’s court, could mark the beginning of a significant political and legal storm in Manipur.
