RNYOM serves quit notice to Kom
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, October 18 2024: Rongmei Naga Youth Organisation, Manipur (RNYOM) has issued a directive demanding all Kom people residing in areas under jurisdiction of Rongmei to vacate within 48 hours.

The ultimatum follows a press release by Ichum Kom Keirap Village Authority on October 15, accusing Rongmei youths of attempting to infiltrate the village and forcefully erect a monolith.

RNYOM, the youth wing of the Rongmei tribe, refuted these claims in a strongly-worded press release, calling the allegations "baseless and unfounded".

According to the statement signed by RNYOM president Richard Kamei and general secretary AG Jonah, the allegation that 40 plus four-wheeler-borne Rongmei youths tried to infiltrate Ichum Kom Keirap village is false.

The organisation argued that if the Rongmei youth had actually attempted to enter the village, they could have "easily overpowered" the Kom villagers, but the peace-loving Rongmei people chose to maintain inter-community harmony.

RNYOM further rejected the accusation that a Kom villager was abducted during the alleged incident, clarifying that the individual in question was take n into custody by Rongmei women for his safety to prevent any untoward incidents that could lead to communal misunderstandings.

The person was later handed over to the police on humanitarian grounds.

The release also challenged the Kom community's claims regarding the establishment of the village, asserting that the Kabui (Rongmei) people have been living in Ichum Kabui since the 16th century AD.

RNYOM cited historical records, stating that during the reign of Maharaja Bhagyachandra (1759-1761, and 1763-1798), the village was named "Ichum Kabui", contradicting the Kom community's claim that the village was established in 1871.It also claimed that their ancestors, including Gaijingpa (Ngangjungba), paid the Hill House Tax during the British Colonial Regime in 1894, while the Kom community's first recorded payment of the Hill House Tax was in 1939.RNYOM also recounted how the Kom tribe came to Ichum Kabui village in 1917-18.According to the organisation, two Kom households migrated from Khabei Hamji (Eastern Burma) and sought permission from the Rongmei village chief to settle there.

These two families performed customary rituals, offering a black shawl, a pot of wine, and a pig to the Rongmei chief as per the tradition, after which they were allowed to settle in the village on humanitarian grounds.

Given these historical facts, RNYOM declared that the Kabui (Rongmei) tribe has full rights to claim the ancestral land founded by their forefathers.

The organisation also recalled that the Ichum Kom Village Authority did not object when RNYOM president Ntaiphai Luangrian approached them earlier regarding the resettlement of Rong-mei people.

RNYOM revealed that the programme to erect a resettlement monolith, slated for unveiling by president of the United Naga Council (UNC) on October 16, 2024, was cancelled due to what they called "blatant lies" from the Kom community.

The release further accused the Kom community of conspiring and instigating security forces to stop Rongmei people from resettling on their ancestral land, despite the consent previously given by the Kom authorities.

RNYOM labelled the conduct and actions of the Kom community as a "complete betrayal".

In light of these developments, RNYOM reiterated its commitment to peaceful co-existence but expressed its frustration over the "baseless allegations and betrayal" by the Kom community.

As a result, the organisation announced boycott of all Kom people and issued a directive ordering all Kom residents to leave Rongmei jurisdiction within 48 hours, effective immediately.

It warned that the Kom people would be held responsible for any untoward incidents if they fail to comply with the directive.

Earlier on October 15, Kom Tribe Organisation Valley (KTOV) in a press statement strongly condemned an attack on Ichum Keirap Kom village by around 100 miscreants allegedly affiliated with the Rongmei Naga Council (RNC) the day before.

The rniscreants reportedly attempted to encroach on the ancestral land of Ichum Keirap Kom village, located in Kangpokpi district.

During the incident, an innocent Kom villager, L Resemler Kom, aged 61, was allegedly assaulted.

KTOV stated that the Kom people are a peace-loving community and an integral part of the 'Yelhoumee Yek Salai' family in Manipur, committed to preserving the territorial integrity of the state.

The organisation urged that such unprovoked acts of violence could lead to serious law and order problems in the area and appealed for peace in the village and surrounding regions.

Additionally, KTOV called upon the chief minister and the Unified Command to ensure the safety and security of the Kom minority tribe in the state amidst the growing tensions.

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