Ban CoTU : LNC to Murmu
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Imphal, November 07 2024: The Liangmai Naga Council (LNC) has petitioned President of India, Droupadi Murmu today requesting her to declare the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) Kangpokpi as an unlawful organization under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and implementation of strict legal measures against actions inciting violence and disrupting public order.

Giving reasons, the LNC cited an incident involving the CoTU on October 29, 2024 .

The Liangmai body said that, on the day, Lamminlun Singsit, general secretary of CoTU issued a highly provocative statement, calling the visit of Chief Minister of Manipur, N Biren Singh along with his Cabinet Ministers to Senapati district for the Liangmai Chaga Ngee celebration a "trespass" and a "dangerous provocative act" .

The LNC alleged that Singsit further incited tensions by claiming that the visit would be an intrusion into Kuki-majority areas and that it would lead to disturbance and direct threat to Liangmai people.

"This statement is deeply misleading and unacceptable.

The Liangmai community, along with other Naga communities in the region, perceive these remarks as a direct threat to our peace, unity, and cultural heritage.

It is clear that CoTU's actions were intended to provoke conflict and escalate tensions within the region, especially between the Liangmai Nagas, Kukis, and other communities.

"Such provocative rhetoric only serves to deepen existing divisions, especially in a time when efforts for reconciliation and unity are needed more than ever," the LNC memorandum said.

The LNC said that on October 30, COTU organized protests, which escalated into a highly disruptive demonstration at Gamgiphai, Kangpokpi district.

This protest, which involved large crowds and militant elements, was aimed directly at disrupting the Liangmai community's celebration of Chaga Ngee, it added.

"The actions of COTU caused significant psychological distress to the Liangmai people, violated our cultural rights, and threatened our long standing traditions," it said.

The Liangmai body added, "These acts of aggression and intimidation violate our right to peaceful celebration and self-expression.

"Furthermore, the activities of COTU are directly undermining the region's public safety and peace efforts.

The unwarranted threats to the VIP guests' visit and the deliberate disturbance caused by the protests are a clear demonstration of the COTU's unlawful conduct," the LNC asserted.

"The LNC gave some backgrounds by saying that "indigenous Liangmai tribe, recognized as a Scheduled Tribe under the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Act, 2011, published in the Manipur Gazette No.838 on March 27, 2012, is an integral part of the diverse tribal communities in the region" .

The Liangmai community predominantly resides in the districts of Tamenglong, Senapati, Kangpokpi, No-ney, Imphal West in Mani- pur, with a population of approximately 70,000 spread across nearly 100 villages, it said.

The LNC also said that a significant cultural event for the Liangmai people is the Chaga Ngee Festival, celebrated annually on October 30.This festival holds deep cultural, spiritual, and traditional importance, as it is a time of sanctification, purification, and seeking divine blessings.

"This year, we planned to celebrate this occasion at Marenmai village, Senapati district, with full cultural reverence.

The Government of Manipur has already recognized this event by declaring October 30 as a restricted holiday in the State," the LNC stated.

The LNC then said that the COTU who now claims large portions of land in the district has gained significant influence, not through historical or cultural ties, but through illegal immigration from Myanmar over the past several decades.

The LNC said this influx of settlers has not only altered the demographic balance but has also led to environmental degradation through activities such as deforestation, illegal timber logging, and poppy cultivation, which have exacerbated the region's ecological imbalance and contributed to climate change.

"In light of these unlawful activities and the demographic shift, the Liangmai people find the actions of COTU to be not only an affront to our cultural rights but also a threat to our land and resources," said the LNC.

The Kuki settlements in Kangpokpi have over time led to the marginalization of indigenous communities like the Liangmai and other Naga tribes, the Liangmai body also said.

COTU's interference in the cultural celebrations of the Liangmai community, coupled with their threatening actions, is a stark reminder of how vulnerable the indigenous populations have become in their own ancestral lands, it added.

The LNC then said the Liangmai people have been facing ongoing political challenges since 1974 .

Residing in an Assembly Constituency represented predominantly by Kuki MLAs in Kangpokpi district, Liangmais have seen limited benefits from developmental schemes, it stated.

This situation has led to feelings of marginalization, as the majority representation often controls and suppresses the voices of the Liangmai people, leaving them without significant access to Government benefits or development in Liangmai areas under Kuki dominated leadership, the LNC rued.

"This neglect has contributed to long standing grievances and frustrations within the community.

Addressing these issues requires the present Government to recognize and act upon these challenges to uplift and empower the Liangmai people, ensuring they receive their rightful share of development and representation," the LNC added.

In light of the above, the Liangmai community requested that the Government of India take immediate and decisive action to address the unlawful conduct of CoTU.

"We respectfully request that the Government to consider the following: declaration of CoTU as an unlawful organization for its provocative rhetoric, acts of violence, and disruption to peaceful cultural practices, giving psychological trauma, taking law into their own hands and its restrictions on free movement of indigenous Liangmai people in their own land" .

The LNC further urged the Government to declare CoTU as an unlawful organization under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) or any other relevant legal provisions.

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