Rongmei bodies oppose SoO camps in Naga areas
Source: Chronicle News Service / Newmai News Network

Imphal, July 07 2025: Rongmei frontal organisations have submitted a joint memorandum to union home minister Amit Shah on Monday, opposing any plan by the government to open designated camps of Kuki militant groups under Suspension of Operation (SoO) in "Naga areas" .

The joint memorandum was submitted to Amit Shah by Rongmei Naga People Organisation (RNPO), Rongmei Naga Students' Organisation Manipur (RNSOM), and Rongmei Naga Youth Organisation Manipur (RNYOM) .

"As per the directive of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), some designated camps of Kuki militants under SoO would be shifted from nearby Meetei settlements and national highways.

Accordingly, it is learnt that a joint enquiry/survey for resettlement of shifted designated camps of the Kuki militants under SoO has been ongoing, and locations like Kotlien on NH-37 near the Assam Rifles camp is one of the identified places for new designated camps of the SoO groups," the joint memorandum stated.

Further, Kangchup area near Singda Dam is also proposed for the same within Kangpokpi district, it added.

Besides, it is also learnt that the Loktak Project area under Henglep assembly constituency in Churachandpur district is also targeted for the said designated camp, the memorandum said.

"We place our strong objection that no designated camp should be allowed to open in Naga areas, particularly starting from Makhan Liangmai Naga village near Kanglatongbi to Chinikon Rongmei village (north to south), from Kangchup Chiru Cheangdai-long (Ireang) to Charoi Pandongba, Kotlien Talamlong (Waphong) from east to west, and Namching-Khonglong in NH-37 to the south up to Chinikon within Kangpokpi district, since these areas were the most sensitive zones which witnessed intense clashes between Kukis and Nagas during the ethnic conflict from 1993 to 1998," the memorandum added.

Another targeted area, as per a reliable source, is the Loktak Project area - from Raengjang Ngaryan Rongmei Naga village and Thingpui (Laimanai) under Churachandpur district to Leimatak in Noney district, it stated.

"Therefore, we will not allow the opening of any designated camps of the Kuki militant SoO groups in the Naga areas mentioned above.

In the event of resettlement or shifting of such camps into our area or territory, we will oppose it tooth and nail along with like-minded civil society organisations and the public," the Rongmei bodies asserted, adding, "We would like to caution the government not to invite another tension while trying to solve the Kuki issues" .

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