Only Meetei fighting to save state: Rajendra
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, January 19 2025: The Tangkhul community has a huge role to play in protecting the governance and unity of Manipur.

As such, all Tangkhul brethren should shoulder the responsibility to protecting the integrity of the state, urged Information Centre for Hill Area Manipur (ICHAM) ex-president and social worker Nongthombam Rajendro alias Boi.

He made the statement at the inaugural function of Lungreiphung Ground in Riha, Kamjong district on Sunday, which will be the venue for Tangkhul Aze Katamnao Long Conference cum Sports Meet 2025, from January 21 till February 1 .

Only Meetei fighting to save state: Rajendra

The inaugural function was also attended by former deputy speaker and BJP Manipur Pradesh spokesperson MK Preshow Shimray.

Rajendro continued that the Meetei is the lone community currently fighting to save the state from a non-indigenous group threatening to disintegrate Manipur by any means possible.

He said that Manipur does not belong only to the Meeteis but also to the Meitei Pangal and indigenous Naga communities.

He then expressed his bewilderment over the Tangkhul community continuing to remain silent when most of the land taken over by Kukis belonged to the Naga brethren.

It is to be noted that a Tangkhul CM was the longest serving CM of the state after it attained statehood.

Under his leadership, the Meeteis have been protecting the state for over 20 years and as such, both communities should continue to work together to protect Manipur, he stressed.

While the conflict may seem to be between the Meetei and Kuki communities, the main agenda is to balkanise Manipur so that the latter can establish a homeland of their own.

No indigenous would accept the Kukis' outrageous demands.

The Meeteis may cease to exist, but once the community disappears, the fate of Manipur will become uncertain.

Meeteis cannot exist without Tangkhuls and vice-versa.

Manipur was once an independent, sovereign nation, established by blood, sweat and tears of our forefathers, and as such, the idea to disintegrate the same will never come into fruition, he elaborated.

Urging the Naga brethren to wake up, Rajendro said that the establishment of new Kuki villages in the hill districts is part of their longterm plan.

It is now time for the Tangkhuls to show their courageous, he stated and urged all to work together to save the state while forgiving all past differences and misunderstandings.

In his speech, MK Preshow Shimray said that the huge demographic imbalance currently being observed in Manipur is clearly due to the continuous influx of Chin-Kukis from Myanmar.

This is a dangerous situation for the indigenous people of the state and the correct step would be to address the problem in time.

However, this does not mean that the old Kukis should be driven away.

The problem is the new arrivals, who need to be stopped from setting up new villages.

Only then, peace would be restored in Manipur.

Otherwise, external forces will continue to make attempts to disintegrate Manipur, he cautioned and stressed the need for all to be united in spirit.

The inaugural function was attended by Riha village actingheadman Wunganing Mahung, among others.