Manipur Govt Warns Local Groups Against Renaming Places, Terms It As Punishable Offence

Anyone caught in violation of the instruction would be punished under applicable laws, the notification issued by Manipur government stated.

The Manipur government has issued a notification recommending against renaming districts and institutions without prior consent, claiming that such a move might cause tension among groups and exacerbate the existing peace and order situation, news agency PTI reported. Anyone caught in violation of the instruction would be punished under applicable laws, it stated. Since ethnic confrontations erupted in Manipur on May 3, after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' in the hill regions to oppose the Meitei community's quest for Scheduled Tribe recognition, over 180 people have died and hundreds have been injured.

"No one shall make or attempt to make any deliberate act of renaming districts, sub-divisions, places, institutions and address of such institutions without the approval of the state government," the order issued by Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi was quoted by PTI in its report.

“It has come to the notice of the state government of Manipur from reliable sources that many civil society organisations, institutions, establishments and persons are deliberately renaming or trying to rename districts... which are objectionable, or likely to create controversy and conflict between communities residing in the state, more particularly in the context of the ongoing law and order crisis...,” the notification reads.

The matter is viewed with "utmost sensitivity as the same practice... is likely to create divide or aggravate the current law and order situation in the state " it said.

The missive came only days after a Churachandpur-based Zo outfit dubbed the district "Lamka."

Meiteis make up around 53% of Manipur's population and dwell mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals (Nagas and Kukis) make up little more than 40% of the population and live in the hill areas.