Clear case of encroachment : COCOMI
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 09 2025: The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has categorically stated that the assault and manhandling of a Liangmai woman on January 7, 2025 in Konsakhul, accompanied by the destruction of her mobile phone while she was working on her land, is a shocking act of aggression, and it was a clear manifestation of encroachment and exploitation.

This incident, perpetrated by tenant settlers from the Chin-Kuki community, reflects the popular Manipuri proverb "Yong Na Loupu Tanlakpa" (Owner of the Paddy chased away by invading Monkeys), said a press release issued by COCOMI.

The indigenous communities of Manipur have long faced systematic encroachment and occupation of their lands by immigrant groups and unaccounted refugees over the past decades.

The situation has reached alarming proportions, with tenant settlers, predominantly from Chin-Kuki communities, engaging in forceful occupation and exploitation of forest resources in areas where they have settled, often without the consent of the rightful village authorities, it said.

Konsakhul (also known as Konsaram) is one of the oldest Liangmai villages and holds immense historical significance.

The first settlement of Leilon Vaiphei village, established with the consent of the Konsakhul village chief, paved the way for the emergence of other villages belonging to the Chin-Kuki community, COCOMI asserted.

Over time, the tenant settlers have grown in number, now surrounding Konsakhul, and are attempting to assert dominance over the indigenous village, it said.

The assault on the Liangmai woman is not an isolated incident but a manifestation of a larger pattern of land encroachment and territorial aggression.

The refusal of tenant settlers to respect the original agreements and their attempts to dictate terms to the indigenous community have created an untenable situation.

The lack of clarity in administrative records regarding the status of hill villages has further emboldened these groups, who exploit the gaps to justify illegal occupations, it said.

COCOMI strongly condemns the high-handed actions of the tenant settlers who attacked the rightful landowner with the ulterior motive of legitimizing their claims over the land.

Such acts of aggression against indigenous communities must not be tolerated, it asserted.

"We urge the Konsakhul Village Authority to remain steadfast in their commitment to expose and address these encroachments while safeguarding the rights of the indigenous people.

We appeal to the concerned State administration to take immediate action to resolve this issue in accordance with the law, based on historical records and facts", COCOMI continued.

It also urged all parties to refrain from resorting to violence but to seek peaceful resolutions.

COCOMI further called upon all indigenous communities of Manipur to exercise vigilance and caution when dealing with requests for settlement from new groups in their respective areas.

"It is crucial to protect our lands, identities, and resources from exploitation and illegal encroachment.

The struggle to preserve the integrity of our indigenous lands and communities is a collective responsibility.

COCOMI remains committed to safeguarding the rights and dignity of the indigenous people of Manipur", it added.

Meanwhile, the Indigenous Mothers Association Haomee (IMAH) has also vehemently condemned the physical assault and verbal abuse of a Liangmai woman by Kukis at Konsakhul on January 7, 2025 .

The Government must arrest and punish the assailants, said a press release issued by IMAH .

After massacring many innocent Meitei women and children, the Kukis have started assaulting a Liangmai woman.

At the same time, Kukis have been emboldened by ad-hoc reconciliations and solutions, it remarked before urging CSOs of both the hills and the valley to refrain from such ad-hoc measures.

The plot being prepared for construction of a house belongs to the Liangmai community, and as such, Kukis have no right to make any kind of interference, it said.

The tenant settlers who tried to dictate terms to the native settlers must be awarded befitting punishment otherwise the ongoing crisis may escalate, it asserted.

The Government's acts which appear to be supporting and appeasing the Kukis have been only emboldening the Kukis to undertake all kinds of provocative and offensive activities, it added.

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