Naga Organizations Demand Political Intervention Amid Manipur Crisis
Rally in Ukhrul Town
Protesters, primarily women, march through the streets with banners and placards on Thursday. (Photo Credit: AT)
Imphal, Nov 5: On Thursday, various Naga groups organized a rally in Ukhrul, calling for the central government to step in and resolve the ongoing crisis in Manipur, which they believe requires a lasting political resolution.
The event was coordinated by the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) along with other Tangkhul organizations, under the umbrella of the United Naga Council (UNC).
Participants marched through Ukhrul, displaying banners and placards, before delivering a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi via the Deputy Commissioner of the district.
This memorandum, representing the Tangkhul Naga community and endorsed by leaders from five Tangkhul organizations, claimed that the crisis in Manipur stems from 'illegal Kuki immigration' and the disparities between the hill and valley regions.
It criticized the Indian government for what they termed as excessive militarization in Naga areas instead of addressing the historical issues related to illegal immigration and regional disparities.
The organizations expressed their opposition to any proposals for a separate homeland or administrative arrangements for the Kukis, fearing it could encroach upon Naga ancestral lands.
Additionally, they called for the cancellation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement and urged that Kuki militant factions be classified as terrorist groups.
The demands also included relocating all internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Naga territories and the removal of Manipur's Deputy Chief Minister, Nemcha Kipgen.
The memorandum highlighted that over 32 Naga civilians have lost their lives since the violence erupted, citing various incidents of killings, abductions, and arson in Naga regions.
It further accused the Assam Rifles of allegedly supporting Kuki militant groups and demanded their withdrawal from Naga areas.
Regarding political representation, the groups called for a restructuring of the representation in the Manipur Legislative Assembly to align with constitutional guidelines, which they believe would be acceptable to the Naga people.
On land issues, the memorandum sought the annulment of what they termed illegal Kuki chiefship and village permits, along with the eviction of unauthorized settlements as per legal provisions, opposing any new permits for individuals they claim are illegal immigrants.
This rally occurred just a day after armed militants reportedly fired upon passenger vehicles on the Imphal-Ukhrul highway near TM Kasom, raising new security alarms in the hill districts.