With reference to the Ministry of States' letter No.D.4101-B-49, dated 28 April 1949, the Dewan of Manipur State, vide his letter No.2/AG/49/0695-96 dated 6 June 1949, gave the list Scheduled Tribes of Manipur mentioning 'Khoibu' at serial No.18 of the list for inclusion in the Draft Constitution of India.
The Uipo Maruo Koukartuo (UMK) appreciated the GPRN for standing for the rights of the minority by looking into the matter objectively and taking a very matured decision.
"The decision of the GPRN in recognizing UIPO(Khoibu) as a separate Naga tribe is a reaffirmation that minorities have hope and there can be justice.
Consequently, it is expected to be declared as an endangered language with the subsequent call for the protection of the cultural, linguistic and historical heritage.
The equation of powers among the ethnic enclosures in hill areas of the state also matters while deciding who should be recognised as tribe or ST.