Manipur Organisations Demand Delisting of ‘Any Kuki Tribes’ from ST Category

Two Manipur-based organisations, Thadou Inpi Manipur and Meitei Alliance, have urged the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to remove the "Any Kuki Tribes" (AKT) category from the state's Scheduled Tribes (ST) list. They argue that AKT allows non-indigenous individuals, including foreigners, to claim tribal rights, threatening local land and resources. Citing state cabinet resolutions from 2018 and 2023, the groups claim AKT lacks distinct language, culture, or geographical identity required under Article 342 for ST recognition. They also allege the category was added in 2003 through non-transparent, politically motivated means and fuels ethnic tensions and legal confusion.