International Day of World Indigenous Peoples observed
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 09 2025: Following strong objections from United Naga Council (UNC) to Nagas against attending, World Indigenous Day 2025 was observed by the North East Indigenous People's Forum (NEIPF) at City Convention Centre on Saturday, as part of the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples.

The observance drew attendance from members of Naga and Thadou communities, with the latter participating in Imphal for the first time in nearly than two and a half years.

It may be mentioned that NEIPF Manipur Chapter president Ashang Kasar resigned from his post a day before the event owing to the stricture imposed by UNC .

In addition, Naga leaders such as Ukhrul AC MLA Ram Muivah and former TNL president David K Shimray, who were invited as guest of honour and special guest, did not attend the programme as well.

International Day of World Indigenous Peoples observed

However, many members of the community were present at the event, where the titular king of Tripura, Pradyot Manikya Deb Barma, attended as chief guest, along with seven other delegates from different northeast states, including MLAs from Tripura, dressed in their respective traditional attire.

Amid this, two young women dressed in 'Thadou attire' also joined the event, signalling positive developments towards restoring peace in the state.

Addressing the gathering, Pradyot Manikya Deb Barma said that the northeastern region is rich in resources, but the indigenous population has been unable to make use of them.

As a result, outsiders have become the owners of these resources, with the indigenous people not even having the role of stakeholders.

Outsiders are taking full advantage of the disunity in the region, and there is a need for all to unite and work together for the sake of future generations.

He added that attempts are being made from all sides to divide the indigenous population of the region based on community, religion, and language.

If such traps are allowed to succeed, it will spell great trouble for all.

The same divisions can be seen between communities within a single state.

However, in the eyes of mainland India, he said, "we are all the same and not worth the effort." Although communities in the region may not be close to each other, they become united when they are in mainland India.

Thus, he asserted, there is a pressing need for all indigenous communities in the northeast to stand together.

Stating that a politician only cares about elections while a leader cares about the future generation, Pradyot urged that politics should not be allowed to divide the people.

He stressed that indigenous people are the rightful owners of their land and must hold the power that is theirs.

He called on all indigenous people of the northeast to share in the pain that Manipur is currently facing and not to be afraid of visiting the state.

The people of Manipur, he recalled, had fought bravely against the British and should not hesitate to stand up again for the sake of future generations.

Referring to Tripura, Pradyot recounted that his state, like Manipur, was once an independent kingdom which merged with India in 1949.India, in its attempt to assimilate the region into the country, has been teaching its own history while ignoring the histories and freedom fighters of these states.

This needs to be rectified, he added.

He further noted that Manipur and Tripura have shared close ties for hundreds of years, and that these bonds can even be traced in their DNA.

Expressing his feeling of "coming home" while visiting Manipur, he urged all indigenous peoples of the northeast to work together.

In his speech, former UNLF chairman RK Sanayaima alias Meghen said that once indigenous people understand their identity and the value of being indigenous, all differences between them would disappear.

He stressed the need for a firm understanding and belief in the indigenous identity, while clarifying that this does not mean discriminating against or looking down on non-indigenous people.

All indigenous communities can preserve their identity, culture, customs, and traditions while living in harmony, he said and emphasised the importance of instilling these values in the youth, who will be the future pillars of society.

As part of the observance, the flags of the North East Indigenous Peoples Forum, Indigenous Peoples Forum Manipur, and the United Nations were hoisted.

The event was also attended by North East Indigenous Peoples Forum chairman Anup Chetia, Lamlai AC MLA Kh Ibomcha, Tripura MLA Ranjeet Debburma, Assam MLA Punakon Barua, Indigenous Peoples Forum Manipur vice-president Rohan Philem, and Ministry of Minority Affairs advisor Amrik Singh Pahwa.