Many back 'no entry for Kukis' stand
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 29 2025: The Rongmei Naga Council Manipur (RNCM), the Liangmai Naga Council, Eastern Zone (LNC-EZ) Manipur and the Youths of Eastern Zogam (YEZ) have endorsed the directive of Committee on Protection of Indigenous People's Ancestral Land (COPIPAL), imposing a complete ban on movement of Kuki people in territories of Inpui, Liangmai, Rongmei, and Zeme tribes of Manipur, effective June 2, 2025 .

COPIPAL announced the 'complete ban' on Kuki movement in response to the April 5, 2025, attack on Konsaram Naga village.

The Committee condemned the "unprovoked and orchestrated" attack, which injured 10, including the village chief, and deemed it a threat to indigenous Naga people's dignity, safety, and rights.

Enforce the ban: RNCM

RNCM, in a statement, has directed all Luangrians and its affiliated organizations to comply with COPIPAL's directive and implement measures to enforce the ban.

The Rongmei Naga Students' Organisation Manipur (RNSOM) and the Rongmei Naga Youth Organisation Manipur (RNYOM) will oversee and coordinate with respective Luangrians and other organizations to execute COPIPAL's directive, it said.

The statement of RNCM read, "With reference to the press release dated 28th May 2025 by Committee on Protection of Indigenous People's Ancestral Land (COPIPAL) a working committee under Joint Tribe Council (JTC), the office of the RNCM, hereby, directs all the Luangrians and frontal organisation to honour the directive and organise measures in every way possible within your given jurisdiction to ensure that the declaration is effectively maintained" .

LNC bats for indigenous land rights

The Liangmai Naga Council, Eastern Zone (LNC-EZ) endorsed COPIPAL's directive, affirming its commitment to safeguarding the cultural and territorial integrity of its people.

"We stand resolutely in support of COPIPAL's mission to safeguard the ancestral lands, heritage and rights of indigenous communities," the Council said.

Acknowledging the significance of collective effort and unity in preserving 'our ancestral heritage for future generation', the LNC-EZ urged all the Liangmai Naga villages to give full cooperation to the ban.

"Together, with unwavering determination, we shall work towards ensuring justice, dignity, and the rightful recognition of indigenous land rights," it said.

A call for justice, says Youths of Eastern Zogam Youths of Eastern Zogam (YEZ) also expressed its endorsement and solidarity with RNCM and LNCM's statements, supporting COPIPAL's declaration of a complete ban on Kuki movement in Zeliangrong kindred tribes' territories.

In a statement, YEZ denounced the April 5, 2025, attack on Konsaram Village, characterizing it as not only unprovoked but also a direct threat to the indigenous Naga communities' peace, security, and dignity.

"We stand in full solidarity with their message and uphold the principled, collective assertion of the Naga indigenous rights and the defence of Naga ancestral lands.

This is not a call for division, but a call for justice, a resolute declaration that the continued violation of indigenous tribal territories will no longer be met with silence," further said YEZ .

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