Any Kuki Tribes Category: Manipur Demand to Remove AKT
Why in the news
A major Manipur tribal body wants the umbrella entry dropped from the state’s Scheduled Tribes list; the Meitei Alliance and Hmar representatives back it.
Key facts
- Appeal to the Centre and Ministry of Tribal Affairs by Thadou Inpi Manipur.
- AKT: a collective ST category from 2003, in place of naming each tribe.
Objections
| Issue | Argument |
|---|---|
| Vagueness | Open-ended, allows endless additions |
| Misuse | Alleged identity fraud and ST certificate manipulation |
| Overlap | Thadou, Hmar, Vaiphei, Gangte already listed |
| Article 342 | Needs distinct culture, isolation, backwardness; ‘Kuki’ seen as political umbrella |
| Security | Alleged illegal immigration from Myanmar, land claims, tension |
Exam angle
- Article 342: ST status criteria; AKT added in 2003.