Manipur government rejects reports of a Bodoland-type territorial council, while MLA Khumukcham Joykisan Singh opposes separate administration and calls for unity to protect the state’s territorial integrity.
Imphal, Oct. 24: The Manipur government has dismissed reports suggesting the formation of a Bodoland Territorial Council-type arrangement in the state as “baseless and fabricated”, reaffirming its commitment to protecting Manipur’s territorial integrity. Thangmeiband MLA Khumukcham Joykisan Singh has also maintained his opposition to any separate administration or territorial arrangement that could affect the state’s existing boundaries and administrative framework.
According to a statement issued on Saturday, Rajya Sabha MP Pramod Boro, Lt General (Retd) R. P. Kalita and retired Intelligence Bureau Special Director A. K. Mishra paid a courtesy call on Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat in Mantripukhri on Thursday.
During the meeting, the leaders discussed ways to restore peace and normalcy in Manipur and promote reconciliation among communities for the state’s better future, the statement said.
It clarified that no other agendas contrary to the aspirations and interests of the people of Manipur and the state were discussed during the interaction.
The statement specifically rejected reports concerning the possible formation of a territorial council in Manipur, describing them as baseless and fabricated. It added that the Central government and the BJP-led Manipur government had consistently maintained their commitment to safeguarding the state’s territorial integrity.
“The BJP-led government will protect the territorial integrity of Manipur at any cost,” the statement said.
Thangmeiband MLA Khumukcham Joykisan Singh has maintained a firm position against any proposal for a separate administration or a Bodoland Territorial Council-style arrangement in Manipur.
Joykisan, who has also served as a government spokesperson, has argued that administrative arrangements that could divide the state’s existing political and territorial framework are unacceptable. His stated position extends to proposals for separate territorial councils under the Sixth Schedule or other forms of administrative and financial autonomy that could alter the existing structure of the state.
He has also publicly pledged to resign as an MLA and join public agitation if Manipur’s territorial integrity is compromised or a separate administration proposal gains official traction. He has maintained that the state’s existing boundaries must be protected.
Joykisan has previously called on all 60 members of the Manipur Legislative Assembly to rise above party affiliations and stand united in protecting the state’s territorial integrity.
He has advocated a unanimous legislative position against arrangements or agreements that could affect Manipur’s existing boundaries and administrative status. His position reflects the demand among sections of the state’s political leadership for a common stand on territorial integrity amid efforts to find a political resolution to the ongoing conflict.
Joykisan has also referred to assurances from the Central government that Manipur would not be divided and that its territorial integrity would remain protected. Such assurances, as cited by him, form part of his argument against proposals for a separate administrative mechanism.
The government’s clarification and Joykisan’s stated position come amid continuing debate over possible political and administrative arrangements for addressing the conflict in Manipur.
The Bodoland Territorial Council, established in Assam, is an autonomous administrative arrangement within that state. References to a similar model in Manipur have therefore raised concerns among those who fear that a new territorial or administrative structure could affect the state’s existing boundaries.
However, the government’s October 24 statement did not identify the specific report it was responding to or provide further details about the discussions held during Thursday’s meeting.
The statement reiterated the BJP-led government’s commitment to protecting Manipur’s territorial integrity, while Joykisan’s position underscored his opposition to separate administrative arrangements. No details were provided in the statement indicating that a territorial council proposal had been formally discussed or adopted at the meeting.
