Addressing the media during a press conference on Wednesday at the Manipur Press Club, MNYO president Thotreingam Keitangnao said that the Tribal Affairs and Hills department is the backbone for the tribals of the state to look after the welfare and responsibility of the tribal/hill areas development of Manipur. However, the department has been dysfunctional since the outbreak of ethnic clashes in the state, he added.

The reason for the non-functioning of the departments is that the minister of these two important departments is from a Kuki community, said the president, adding that the minister is unable to attend the office and has not been able to discharge minister duties since May 3, 2024.

Drawing attention into the matter of the tribal affairs and hills department, the president alleged that the entire affairs of these two departments, in terms of fund release and implementation of various schemes/work programmes, are held up for the last one year which is an injustice to the community not involved in the ethnic conflict.

He also alleged that development of tribal and hill areas is paralysed and has gone in reverse due to the non-functioning of the concerned minister.

“All the departmental schemes and work programmes are pending and various beneficiaries under various schemes of Tribal Affairs and Hills Department and Horticulture Department for the FY 2022-23 and 2023-24 are missing due to the absence of minister-in-charge”, said the president.

He highlighted the importance of tribal affairs and hill department for the hill tribals stating that they depend on the incomes from the horticulture products/farming for their livelihood and to even support education for their children.