Konsakhul VA rejects status claim, assertion by Kuki villages
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 06 2025: Konsakhul Village Authority has strongly rejected the so called "PR on Factual Status of Tuitin Area" issued by chiefs of L Phaijang and L Tangnuam, calling it yet another blatant distortion of history by the Kuki community aimed at misleading their youth and manufacturing legitimacy through falsehoods and administrative manipulation.

In a rejoinder issued Sunday, the Village Authority stated that the villages in question - L Phaijang and L Tangnuam - were officially gazetted and demarcated only in 1999 by the SDO of Saitu Gamphazol.

Such a claim, the statement pointed out, contradicts any narrative of ancestral rights and exposes what it called a calculated attempt to rewrite history using state machinery and media-driven misinformation.

At the core of the dispute is the Konsakhul village's categorical denial of the existence of any location called "Gulpi Tuitin" within its territorial boundary.

It clarified that both Tangnuam and L Phaijang are mere hamlets under Leilon village and have been paying Rampon (land tax) to Konsakhul since 1920 .

The assertion of land ownership by Haotinmang Vaiphei and Haominthang Vaiphei - the self-declared chief and secretary of the two villages - is described as spurious and highly condemnable.

The Konsakhul VA said it is not surprising given the long-standing tendency of the Kuki community to arbitrarily claim ownership over various areas across Manipur's historical landscape - including sacred and culturally significant sites like Mount Koubru and Mount Thangjing.

The rejoinder asserted that no tenant, illegal settler, or refugee can legally or morally claim sovereign rights over ancestral lands.

The statement further accused the Kuki community of using two primary strategies to legitimise their land claims - first, by fabricating and distorting history for generational transmission, and second, by using aggression as a tool, only to retreat into a posture of victimhood when challenged.

This aggressive pattern, it alleged, is never directed at stronger communities but selectively unleashed upon smaller and vulnerable indigenous tribes.

According to the Konsakhul VA, the village enjoys undeniable historical and legal recognition under British colonial administration as Village No 147, SI No 140 in Sadar Circle No 1 (West Area), as per the Manipur State Hill Peoples (Administration) Regulation of 1947.It recalled that in 1920, one Shonglal Khaute approached Konsakhul for settlement rights and, in keeping with Naga customary law, offered a ceremonial dog and a jar of rice beer.

The settlers were allowed to stay under the condition of paying annual tax and accepting the landowner's authority.

This agreement led to the formation of Leilon Vaiphei village, recognised even in colonial records and documented through Hill House Tax receipts.

The rejoinder also condemned the illegal emergence of several new hamlets - Haraothel, L Phaijang, Munlai, Saronphai, and L Champhai - within Konsakhul's ancestral territory without consent or recognition.

It reiterated the official land boundaries of Konsakhul as recognised by the Government of Manipur and enclosed legal documentation including orders signed by C Gimson (1920), Major Bob Khathing (1948), and subsequent judicial rulings in 1950 and 1953.Referring to the April 5 assault on the villagers of Konsaram, the statement described it as an unprovoked act of aggression and part of a recurring pattern of hostility.

It emphasised that such intimidation would not silence the people of Konsakhul.

"Every soul of Konsakhul village accepts your aggression not with fear, but with grace, courage, and unwavering defiance till last man standing," the Village Authority stated, declaring that the village would defend its land with unity, spirit, and ancestral right.

Manipur Naga Youth Organisation (MNYO) also strongly condemned the action of alleged Kuki armed volunteers, particularly the Vaiphei Kuki on Konsakhul villagers on Saturday.

As per a release by MNYO Media & Publicity Wing, similar incidents had occurred in Konsakhul village allegedly by the Lailon Vaiphei and its satellite illegal settlers stoking communal feeling between Nagas and Vaiphei Kuki.

The continuous harassment and assault against the minority community of Li-angmai of Kangpokpi district by armed Kuki volunteers with alleged backing of district administration dominated by Kukis is likely to escalate communal tension between Nagas and Kukis once again, it cautioned.

"The Zeliangrong-Inpui particularly Liangmai and other Naga minority tribes always become the victims due to the communal Kangpokpi district administration backing the majority Kuki community," it maintained.

The curfew imposed by Kangpokpi district administration should not impede the normal activities of the villagers, they have the freedom to live and work in their own area without interference by outsiders or illegal settlers.

The Kuki volunteers had premeditated to attack the workers and labourers belonging to Konsakhul as shown by bringing ambulance along with them in case of violence and casualty.

If the central government under President Rule in Manipur and Kangpokpi district administration remain a mere spectators and show apathy to the violence and underlying issues of Konsakhul village, one cannot rule out clash in Manipur between Nagas and Kukis, it said.

Mentioning that the central government under PR in Manipur is yet to disarm Kuki volunteers and militants, MNYO urged the central government to equally disarm both the valley and hills militants of the two warring communities without which there will be no peace in Manipur.

Liangmai Naga Council, Eastern Zone (LNC-EZ), Eastern Liangmai Chief Chairman Association (ELCCA) and Liangmai Naga Katimai Ruangdi, Eastern Zone (LNKR-EZ) also stated that "time has come for us to stand together as one, condemn this injustice, and show our unwavering solidarity".

Amidst the ongoing Kuki-Meetei conflict, this "act of aggression" aims to draw indigenous Naga communities into the turmoil", it said.

The four charter of demands made by the land-owners of Konsakhul Village Authority must be addressed, the Liangmai bodies demanded, cautioning that failure to do so will result in launch of indefinite shutdown in Liangmai inhabited areas of Manipur.

The Liangmai organisations also said that authorities concerned must take immediate and necessary action to ensure justice is served.

Liangmai Naga Katimai Ruangdi, Manipur (LNKRI also condemned the "heinous incident" that occurred on Saturday.

The attack was carried out by Thangnaimang Vaiphei.

chief of L Phaiiang Kuki village.

Thangkhulen Vaiphei, chief of Munlai Kuki village, and Houmang Vaiphei, chief of Haraothel Kuki village, the Liangmai student body said.

LNKR demanded immediate action by authorities concerned to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure the safety and security of the Konsakhul Naga community.

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