COPIPAL, HYF back FNCC bandh
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 21 2025: Committee on Protection of Indigenous Peoples and Land (COPIPAL) has endorsed the indefinite bandh called by Foothills Naga Co-ordination Committee (FNCC), which began at midnight on July 18 .

The bandh is aimed at checking unauthorised movement of Kuki individuals within the Naga foothill regions of Manipur.

In a press release issued, COPIPAL stated that its support stems from growing concerns over territorial encroachment, the presence of unauthorised militant groups, and illegal activities such as poppy cultivation in Naga ancestral lands.

These developments pose serious threats to the socio-cultural integrity and ecological balance of Naga-inhabited areas.

Describing FNCC's action as "peaceful, intentional, and rooted in indigenous stewardship", COPIPAL called upon all Naga tribal organisations, youth bodies, civil society groups, and grassroots networks to extend full support to the movement.

"We do not endorse conflict, we endorse accountability.

We do not resist for attention, we resist for survival," the statement said, underlining the committee's commitment to defending ancestral land and indigenous rights through unity, peace, and vigilance.

Meanwhile, calling the indefinite ban imposed by FNCC on movement of Kuki people in hill areas inhabited by indigenous communities particularly along the road linking Kangpokpi and Churachandpur as a necessity, the Haomee Youth Front (HYF) vowed to support whatever agitation FNCC launches till reaching goal.

According to a statement of HYF, Manipur/Kangleipak is a land with more than 2,000 years of written history and 25 indigenous communities protecting territorial integrity of the land together.

However, large-scale entry of illegal immigrants from neighbouring countries started after Manipur became a part of India.

The number of illegal immigrants swelled as they continue to enter Manipur without any restriction thereby giving severe impact to indigenous people.

Illegal immigrants from Myanmar have established unaccounted numbers of villages in the state without the approval of the government arid people.

They have uprooted forest for poppy plantation and converted the land into havens for drugs.

With the ever increasing population, illegal immigrants have even sowed the seed for establishing a new nation for their own at the costs of indigenous people of Manipur.

To realise this dream, Meeteis settled outside Manipur valley have been forced flee through violent means.

Since May 3, 2023, many Meeteis have been killed while scores are taking refuge at numerous places.

As part of their continuing strategies, illegal immigrants not only encroaches land without approval of the government and indigenous people but also take up road construction works continuously.

Apart from this, armed groups protected by the Government of India harass and torture innocent civilians without any let up.

Indigenous people of the hills too will one day face the same fate as the indigenous people of the valley, HYF said.

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