Senapati deal suspends COPIPAL ban on Kukis
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, June 03 2025:
The Nagas and the Kukis have agreed to work earnestly towards a permanent settlement of the land dispute between Konsaram/Konsakhul Naga Village and the Leilon Kuki-Vaiphei community in Kangpokpi district.
Confirming signing of an agreement on the matter in Senapati district, Committee on Protection of Indigenous Peoples' Ancestral Land (COPIPAL), Tamenglong declared its stand to suspend the ban on movement of Kukis in all territories of joint tribes for some time in the best interest of maintaining peace in the state.
In a release, COPIPAL Media Cell informed that the resolution was adopted with the intervention of United Naga Council and Joint Tribes Council.
The Committee also extended gratitude to all stakeholders and the public for their unwavering support.
As an immediate outcome of the Senapati agreement, the Naga communities have temporarily suspended a ban they imposed on the movement of Kukis in their territories.
The agreement, reached on June 2, in a meeting held at the United Naga Council (UNC) office in Senapati, saw the presence of key representatives, including the UNC Working Committee president and the Sadar Hills Chief Association (SAHILCA), representing the Kuki community.
Under the terms of the agreement, the Kuki community is to pay Rs 1 lakh to the Nagas.
In return, the Joint Tribe Council (comprising Inpui, Liangmai, Rongmei, and Zeme Naga tribal communities) temporarily suspended the ban on Kuki movement across its territories, effective Monday afternoon.
Notably, the Committee on Protection of Indigenous Peoples' Ancestral Land (COPIPAL) announced a complete ban on the movement of the Kukis in the territories of four Naga tribes of Manipur from June 2, 2025 .
The Committee imposed the ban in light of the "unprovoked and orchestrated" attack on Konsaram/Konsakhul Naga village on April 5, 2025.They also imposed it as a mark of protest and a step towards safeguarding ancestral land and people for lasting peace in the region.
On April 5, 2025, several individuals, including armed persons from Leilon Kuki Vaiphei village, unleashed a premeditated attack upon the peaceful Liangmai Naga villagers residing in Kangpokpi district, leaving 13 persons severely wounded, including the chief of Konsakhul.
On June 2, 2025, the Working Committee president of the United Naga Council (UNC), the Sadar Hills Chief Association (SAHILCA), and representatives of SAHILCA (as the parent body of the Kuki community) reached an agreement in a meeting held at the UNC office in Tahamzam, Senapati.
Regarding the physical assaults/attacks on Konsakhul villagers by Leilon Vaiphei villagers on April 5, 2025, and the related land dispute, the SAHILCA agreed to fulfil the Naga customary ritual and to indemnify the victims for medical expenses with a lump-sum payment of Rs 1 lakh within one week.
The SAHILCA also took full moral responsibility for the unfortunate incident.
They expressed regret and tendered a formal apology on behalf of the Leilon Vaiphei villagers to the United Naga Council, the parent body of the Nagas, for the actions committed by the Leilon Vaiphei villagers.
During the meeting, both parties also agreed to work earnestly towards a permanent settlement of the land dispute between the two communities.
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