Former Manipur CM N Biren Singh Warns of Fake Villages and Illegitimate Chiefs in Hills, Seeks Governor’s Intervention

He pointed out that this minor-sounding change from “of” to “or” significantly alters the intent of the provision.

In a strongly worded letter to Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Wednesday, former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh flagged a “serious and potentially deliberate alteration” in the Manipur Legislative Assembly’s version of the Hill Areas Committee Order, 1972, which he said could lead to “unchecked proliferation of villages and appointment of new chiefs or headmen without customary legitimacy or legal clarity.”

The issue revolves around Clause 9 of the Second Schedule under Scheduled Matters, where the Gazette of India clearly mentions, “The appointment of succession of Chiefs or Headman.”

However, the version published by the Manipur Legislative Assembly reads, “The appointment or succession of Chief or Headman.”

N. Biren Singh pointed out that this minor-sounding change from “of” to “or” significantly alters the intent of the provision. “By substituting the word ‘of’ with ‘or,’ the scope of the provision is broadened to potentially allow new appointments of chiefs or headmen, rather than merely governing traditional succession practices,” he stated.

He warned that this linguistic distortion has deep administrative and political implications. “It has opened the door for a rapid and unchecked proliferation of villages, many of which may not have existed historically or traditionally,” N. Biren wrote.

MAJOR CONSPIRACY UNCOVERED: ‘OF’ IN GAZETTE CHANGED TO ‘OR’ IN ASSEMBLY RECORDS, CLEARING THE WAY FOR NEW VILLAGES TO EMERGE WITHOUT PROPER CHECK

There appears to be a serious and potentially deliberate alteration in the text of the Manipur Legislative Assembly (Hill Areas…

— N. Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) June 25, 2025

According to N. Biren, the consequences are already visible on the ground. “Questions surrounding land ownership, ethnic settlement patterns, and village recognition are becoming increasingly complex and contested,” he said.

Calling for immediate intervention, N. Biren urged the Governor to launch an independent inquiry into how and when the text was altered and under whose authority. He also requested a comprehensive audit to determine how many villages and new chiefs or headmen have been declared or appointed under this allegedly altered provision.

“This issue touches upon the very foundation of legal governance in the hill areas and must be addressed with transparency, urgency, and accountability,” N. Biren stated, adding that he has attached supporting documents comparing both versions of the order.

Reaffirming his belief in constitutional oversight, N. Biren wrote, “I have full faith that under your leadership and constitutional responsibility, this matter will receive the seriousness it demands and the truth will be brought to light for the greater good of Manipur.”

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