IMPHAL, July 12: Delegations from the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) and various Hill District Bar Associations met with Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla today at Raj Bhavan to present pressing constitutional, legal, and governance-related concerns affecting the hill communities of the state.
The Hill District Bar Association delegation highlighted the critical lack of judicial infrastructure in the hill districts, which they said continues to obstruct timely and equitable delivery of justice. Citing long-standing challenges, the legal representatives urged the Governor to intervene for improved facilities and institutional support to address the imbalance in judicial access. The meeting was attended by the Commissioner (Law), who noted the concerns, while Governor Bhalla assured that appropriate steps would be taken after a detailed review.
In a separate meeting, the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), led by its President Mr. Sword Vashum, submitted a detailed memorandum articulating four major demands rooted in constitutional rights and long-standing grievances. The TNL vehemently opposed the proposed border fencing through Naga-inhabited areas, calling it a “colonial relic” that threatens to divide the Naga homeland. They urged the immediate scrapping of the project.
On delimitation, the TNL called for a complete restructuring of electoral boundaries with due consideration for topography, arguing that the current demarcations reflect historical injustices against the Nagas. They also insisted that Autonomous District Council (ADC) elections must be held under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, warning that they would reject any electoral process conducted under the existing Fifth Schedule if the transition is not ensured within a year.
Furthermore, the TNL demanded a bifurcation of the state budget into two distinct components—one for the valley and one for the hills—as envisaged under the Presidential Orders of 1972. They stressed that all their demands are constitutionally grounded and urged the Governor for speedy and sincere redressal.
The Governor assured the delegation that the matters raised would be examined with a solution-oriented approach.
