'Agenda to open doors to immigrants'
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, April 13 2025:
The Eastern Liangmai Naga Chief/Chairman Association (ELNCA) has strongly condemned the recent "criminal assault and arson carried out by Kuki militants on April 5, 2025, in Konsakhul" .
The ELNCA said this "deliberate and orchestrated attack", framed under the pretext of a curfew, is an affront to the identity, dignity, and rights of the indigenous Naga people.
On the fateful day, according to the ELNCA, while villagers were working in their own land, Kuki militants and their volunteers launched an unprovoked assault.
Several villagers were injured, and as of now, both the village chief and the chairman remain in critical condition in the hospital, it said.
"Tenants who were allowed to reside on our lands out of goodwill and humanitarian consideration are now willfully participating in these well-orchestrated acts of violence", the ELNCA stated.
Guided by external handlers, their actions are part of a broader strategic agenda to construct a network of roads that facilitates the continuous influx of illegal immigrants, and to encircle and dominate both the indigenous Nagas and Meiteis, it further said.
"A key example of this encroachment is the so-called 'German Road,' built without consent on indigenous Naga land and serving as a critical route in this expansionist plan," the ELNCA further stated.
In response to these events, the Young Kukis' statement attempts to downplay the attack as an "inter-village dispute," the ELNCA added.
However, the World Kuki Zo Intellectual Council (WKZIC) further exacerbated the situation with its justification of the incident and the recent Memorandum (Ref.
No.58/WKZIC-GHQ/ (Memo)/2023-25, dated April 10, 2025), which distorts historical facts, the Liangmai body pointed out.
The statement claims that a Survey of Kuki villages was conducted in 1911 in the Sadar Hills area of Manipur, despite the fact that Sadar Hills did not even exist until May 22, 1947, it also said.
"This is just one example of how historical narratives are manipulated to justify and serve a political agenda", the ELNCA added.
The ELNCA said the "Kuki refugees' ongoing attempt to redefine their history and identity as indigenous people of Manipur while making simultaneous claims of being a lost tribe of Israel and reincarnations of Buddha, is part of a broader strategy of obfuscating the truth to create narratives as per their vested interest and circumstances".
Moreover, official records reveal that until the 1960s and 1970s, the Kuki community was openly receiving refugee relief funds from both Delhi through the MP and the Government of Manipur, the Liangmai body also pointed out.
The ELNCA said the sudden imposition of curfew without prior warning, followed by incidents of assault and arson led by an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) from the Vaiphei community�carried out in full view of the security forces�raises serious concerns about the role and neutrality of State and Central security forces, the Liangmai body said.
"Equally alarming is the fact that despite being under Suspension of Operation (SoO), Kuki militants are frequently seen in full combat gear, openly carrying automatic weapons while occupying makeshift camps and bunkers with impunity", it added.
It is deeply alarmed by the increasing frequency and brazenness of such incidents, particularly since the imposition of President's Rule.
"Recently, a woman was attacked for leveling her plot of land in Lungwiram under Konsakhul.
This unchecked violence is creating a de facto war-like situation, aimed at furthering the expansionist agenda of illegal refugees who seek to carve out a 'Zale'ngam' or 'Kukiland' from Naga lands�a sentiment recently expressed by a student leader in Delhi, which has gone viral", it also stated.
The ELNCA then demanded immediate action to restore peace and protect the rights of the indigenous people.
The ELNCA called upon the Government to take certain actions which include providing justice to the victims by acting on the FIRs and ensuring the swift arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the assault and arson, in accordance with the law.
It also asked the Government to dismantle all illegal structures, barricades, bunkers, and makeshift camps, and take immediate action to disarm Kuki militants operating in the region.
It further asked to establish police outposts in all sensitive areas inhabited by indigenous Nagas to ensure adequate protection and security.
The ELNCA also asked to review and revoke the implementation of the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement, ensure the impartial conduct of security forces, and take immediate steps to restore justice, peace, and democratic order in Manipur.
The Liangmai body also asked the government to ensure a quick resolution of the Konsakhul issue.
"If justice is not swiftly delivered, the indigenous Naga people will be forced to take all necessary steps to protect our rights over our lands.
We will not be held responsible for any untoward incidents that may arise from such actions", it asserted.
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