Manipuri Community in Assam Ramps Up Pressure for Autonomous Council
As the 2026 Assam assembly elections draw closer, the call for a unified Manipuri autonomous council has returned with fresh force. The Manipuri Autonomous Council Demand Coordination Committee, Assam, is pressing the state government to address what it calls a legitimate and long-standing demand of the Manipuri (Meitei) community.
Selective Exclusion Sparks Resentment
Committee chairperson K Shantikumar Singh stated on Monday that autonomous councils were established in 2020 for the Moran, Matak, and Koch-Rajbongshi communities. However, the Manipuris were left out despite their inclusion in the OBC category. "This selective approach has caused deep resentment," Singh emphasized.
He highlighted that Manipuris have resided in Assam for more than five centuries as responsible citizens. Their demand for an autonomous council is not a new one and has been raised multiple times over the years. The government had previously agreed to it in principle, according to Singh.
Mass Rally Demonstrates Growing Momentum
The demand gained significant traction last week when more than 5,000 people participated in a large rally in Silchar. Representatives from 70 different Manipuri groups marched through the town before submitting a formal memorandum to the district commissioner.
The committee issued a clear warning. If the government fails to provide a satisfactory response, the agitation will be intensified. This sets the stage for potential unrest as political temperatures rise.
Unfulfilled Promises and Political Context
Singh recalled a meeting on December 7, 2024, where a delegation from the committee met Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in Silchar. Sarma responded positively during that encounter but noted that the proposal should have been taken up earlier.
The committee also pointed to a specific campaign event during the last Assembly elections at Lakhipur. There, Sarma publicly assured steps toward forming a Manipuri autonomous council in the presence of then Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh. Five years later, that assurance remains unfulfilled, adding to the community's frustration.
Election Dynamics and Future Mobilization
With elections approaching, Manipuri organizations have made it clear that this issue will remain central to their political mobilization. Unless the government takes concrete steps in the coming months, the demand for an autonomous council will likely dominate local political discourse.
The situation reflects broader tensions in Assam's political landscape, where ethnic and community identities often intersect with electoral strategies. The Manipuri community's persistent push highlights ongoing challenges in addressing regional autonomy demands within the state's administrative framework.
