UKHRUL, Nov 8: The Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) has called on the Manipur government to ensure equitable representation for tribal areas, implement budget bifurcation, and include tribal regions under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. The demand was raised during a one-day consultative meeting on Delimitation, Budget Bifurcation, and Sixth Schedule, held at the TNL Office-cum-Multipurpose Complex Hall in Ukhrul on Friday.
In its recommendations, TNL emphasized that, in the interest of equity and justice, tribals should receive proportionate representation in the 60-member Manipur Legislative Assembly. The organization proposed that 35 seats be allotted to tribal areas and 25 to the valley, citing population and land distribution patterns—tribals own 90% of the land while the valley holds 10%, with populations of 15 lakhs and 17 lakhs, respectively.
TNL also stated that while it is not demanding two separate budgets, the current state budget should be bifurcated under Article 371C into two components—one for the valley and another for the hills, with the latter to be implemented through the Hill Areas Committee. The group urged the government to adopt budget bifurcation without delay.
Highlighting the importance of the Sixth Schedule in safeguarding tribal land, resources, and customary law, TNL said its demand focuses on the socio-economic upliftment of Manipur’s tribals. The organization clarified that the demand is not linked to the Naga national movement but seeks to ensure that tribal communities in Manipur receive the same constitutional protections enjoyed by tribals in other states.
