Abolition of Chieftainship in Mizoram and Manipur

This article studies the legislative measures taken to abolish the hereditary chieftainship system in Mizoram (erstwhile Lushai Hills) and the Hill Areas of Manipur in the 1950s and 1960s, respectively. To do so, it critically examines the provisions of the Assam Lushai Hills District (Acquisition of Chiefs’ Rights) Act, 1954, and the Manipur Hill Areas (Acquisition of Chiefs’ Rights) Act, 1967. It begins by exploring the sociopolitical condition of chieftainship in the Lushai Hills in the pre-independence period, wherein a climate of rebellion and dissention against the colonial government and the institution of chieftainship had emerged. This is followed by an analysis of the Assam Lushai Hills District (Acquisition of Chiefs’ Rights) Bill, 1954, and the debate during the passage of the bill. Thereafter, the debate on chieftainship in the Zo-inhabited areas of Manipur is discussed. This is followed by a critical analysis of the provisions of the Manipur Hill Areas (Acquisition of Chiefs’ Rights) Act, 1967, and the debate on the Assembly floor. The article concludes with reflections on the probable reasons why the legislative measure to abolish chieftainship succeeded in Mizoram and not in Manipur, and the impact of the same on social harmony and unity in Manipur.