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Politics
Tribal Affairs Ministry Rejects RTI Request, Citing Manipur Unrest
✍️ The Economic Times
🗓 14 Nov 2026, 05:32 AM
👁 21
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has refused to disclose information under the Right to Information Act, saying the volatile situation in Manipur makes it impractical to comply.
New Delhi – The Ministry of Tribal Affairs declined a recent Right to Information (RTI) application, stating that the ongoing tensions in Manipur prevent it from providing the requested documents. The ministry’s official statement emphasized that the security situation in the northeastern state could compromise the safety of officials handling the data.
The RTI request, filed by an activist group, sought details on the ministry’s interventions in tribal development projects in Manipur. While the ministry did not disclose the specific documents, it reiterated that the decision aligns with its duty to protect sensitive information during periods of civil unrest.
Observers note that the refusal underscores the broader challenges faced by central agencies when dealing with conflict‑prone regions. The ministry has not indicated a timeline for revisiting the request, pending a de‑escalation of the situation in Manipur.
The RTI request, filed by an activist group, sought details on the ministry’s interventions in tribal development projects in Manipur. While the ministry did not disclose the specific documents, it reiterated that the decision aligns with its duty to protect sensitive information during periods of civil unrest.
Observers note that the refusal underscores the broader challenges faced by central agencies when dealing with conflict‑prone regions. The ministry has not indicated a timeline for revisiting the request, pending a de‑escalation of the situation in Manipur.