To solve the ongoing conflict in Manipur and assuage Kukis, the Manipur state has proposed to the Centre that the existing autonomous hill councils be given more autonomy.
The state government is opposed to the demand of “separate administration” made by Kukis.
The British divided the hill regions of Assam into “excluded” and “partially excluded” areas through the Government of India Act, 1935.
Currently, there are 10 ADCs under the Sixth Schedule in the North East, with three each in Assam, Meghalaya and Mizoram, and one in Tripura.
Manipur has six ADCs, but these came into existence in 1971 under an act of Parliament.
In December 1971, the Parliament passed the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act, paving the way for creation of ADCs in Manipur’s hill areas.
These regions constitute 90% of its geographical area, inhabited by tribes such as Nagas, Kukis, Zomis, Hmars, etc.
At that time, Manipur was a Union Territory.
The Manipur ADCs are dependent on the state Assembly due to the provisions of the Act.
Some changes for greater autonomy brought in through an amendment Bill in 2000 in the state assembly were effectively revoked by another bill in 2006.
Since 2021, a Bill proposing amendments to grant more autonomy to the ADCs has not been introduced in the Assembly due to resistance from sections in the Valley.