Naga groups rebut CoTU, decry aggression
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, January 10 2025: Rebuting the recent statement by Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), Liangmai Naga Indigenous Forum (LNIF) and the Foothill Naga Joint Action Committee (FN-JAC) have condemned the provocation, aggression, and divisive rhetoric from CoTU, while affirming their commitment to peace, dignity, and neutrality in ongoing conflicts.

In its rejoinder, the Liangmai Naga Indigenous Forum (LNIF) expressed deep concern over what it described as "unprovoked aggression by Kuki volunteers" .

LNIF stated that the Liangmai Naga community has observed repeated provocations and acts of aggression by Kuki groups, declaring that the community will not remain silent in the face of bullying and provocation on its ancestral land.

Addressing the land dispute between Konsakhul and Leilon, LNIF emphasised that the matter strictly concerns the respective chiefs and stakeholders of the two villages.

The forum criticised CoTU for its "unwarranted interference", which it claimed raises questions about CoTU's intent, and urged the group to refrain from meddling in disputes beyond its jurisdiction.

LNIF further accused CoTU of unjustly targeting peaceful Liangmai villages.

While CoTU portrays itself as a victim of ethnic conflict, LNIF argued that its actions against peace-loving Liangmai communities suggest otherwise.

The forum stressed that defending their land and rights is inherent to the Liangmai Naga identity and warned that attacking innocent communities would escalate tensions and undermine peace efforts.

LNIF also pointed out what it termed as "hypocrisy on Christian values", accusing CoTU of invoking Christian principles while engaging in acts of violence and harassment, including attacks on women.

The Liangmai Naga community, LNIF stated, has always upheld justice and peace and will not tolerate such duplicity.

In distinguishing between democratic and aggressive protests, LNIF asserted that the Liangmai Naga people have adhered to peaceful, democratic means of protest, unlike the Kuki community, which it accused of resorting to arson and violence.

However, it cautioned that this commitment to peace should not be mistaken for weakness, warning that any attack on Liangmai villages, homes, or individuals would be met with the strongest resolve.

LNIF extended full solidarity to Konsakhul village and other Liangmai foothill communities in their democratic shutdowns, urging CoTU arid the Kuki community to cease provocations.

The forum stated that any consequences arising from continued aggression by CoTU would rest entirely on the committee's shoulders.

Meanwhile, in its press release, the Foothill Naga Joint Action Committee (FNJAC) took serious exception to what it described as "baseless allegations and disrespectful tone" in Co TU's January 9, statement.

FNJAC called on CoTU to cease its divisive rhetoric and victim-playing tactics.

FNJAC accused CoTU of harbouring an "illegal im-migrant/refugee mindset" and of repeatedly provoking and encroaching on land that does not belong to them.

It argued that if any party is guilty of sowing discord, it is CoTU, with its manipulation of tribal sentiments and misrepresentation of facts.

FNJAC reaffirmed its commitment to neutrality in the conflict between the Kuki-Zo and Meetei communities.

It criticised CoTU for challenging its neutral stance and testing its patience with provocations.

The committee asserted that the survival of the Kuki community depends on the goodwill of those it accuses and provokes, highlighting that the SP Road connecting Kangpokpi and Churachandpur remains accessible only through the generosity of the Naga community.

On the Konsakhul-Leilon boundary dispute, FNJAC questioned the actions of CoTU representatives who reportedly arrived at their gate late at night on January 8, seeking to apologise.

It also condemned the alleged involvement of "tiger party/refugee militants" in an incident of outraging the modesty of a Naga woman at K Lungwiram on January 7.FNJAC also criticised what it called the manipulation of religious sentiments, accusing CoTU of using Christian principles to play the victim card while provoking conflicts.

FNJAC emphasised its adherence to Christian values and called on CoTU to reflect on its actions, accusing it of distorting and fabricating history.

Addressing allegations of disrespecting the deceased, FNJAC stated that the deceased was allowed to pass through with full dignity, reflecting the committee's Christian spirit and respect for humanity.

FNJAC also issued a message to the Zo community, urging vigilance against the divisive tactics employed by certain Kuki factions.

It pointed to historical evidence of conflicts between Kuki groups and the Zo community following the Naga-Kuki clash, accusing the Kuki community of instigating discord for their benefit at the expense of the Zo community, particularly in areas like Churachandpur.

Koubru Range Liangmai Women Union also strongly condemned the assault on an indigenous Naga woman from K Lungwiram by individuals from Munlai, Leilon Khunnou, L Phaiyang, L Phaikot villages in Kangpokpi district on January 7.The attackers, armed with Weapons, dragged the woman while using abusive language and threatening her life, leaving her traumatised, the union said in a statement.

In protest, the Union has imposed an indefinite bandh in Liangmai Naga dominated areas of the Koubru Range.

Women volunteers monitoring the bandh ensure peaceful conduct, allowing exemptions for medical emergencies and other essential cases.

In the course of gate entry, women volunteers counted the number of Kuki people present without touching the coffin.

Their purpose was to relay accurate information to the next gate.

After completing the count, they permitted two vehicles carrying the deceased to proceed.

Contrary to false allegations, there has been no disrespect to corpses or any form of invasive behaviour during this peaceful bandh.

The union demanded the individuals responsible for the assault to present themselves at the union's office to address this heinous act.

The indefinite bandh will continue until this demand is met and non-compliance will result in the intensification of the bandh.

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