Jokai Declaration calls NE states to unite for genuine peace
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, March 22 2025: The 3rd general conference of the North East Indigenous People's Forum (NEIPF), held at Jokai Bon, Koibartta, Di-brugarh, in collaboration with the Indigenous Forum Assam on Saturday, concluded with a declaration entitled the 'Jokai Declaration', calling on the people of the North East states to unite for genuine peace.

A release issued by NEIPF informed that representatives from various civil society organisations and delegates from the northeastern states delved into a wide range of issues confronting the region and resolved to recommend that state governments deliberate on indigenous issues and enact laws to protect their rights and interests.

The conference assured that NEIPF remains committed to the socio-cultural, economic, and political interdependence of the people and the unity of the region.

It is also conscious of imminent multidimensional threats, particularly the continuous influx of immigrants and predatory government and corporate aggressions.

The participants of the conference called for collective resistance for survival and resolved to present the Jokai Declaration.

Earlier, the delegates of NEIPF elected Anup Chetia as chairman and N Ibungochoubi as secretary-general of the Forum for the next term.

The conference resolved to recommend that state chapters create conditions for harmonious co-existence among the people for genuine peace, secure the future of indigenous people by documenting a disaggregated database of indigenous populations, and urge the legislative assemblies of all northeastern states to deliberate upon the issues for safeguarding the rights and interests of the indigenous peoples of the region.

It also called for the enactment of a suitable law to establish a Department on Indigenous Affairs.

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