An Indigenous People’s Meet organized by Federation of Haomee in Imphal adopted five resolutions on Manipur’s ongoing crisis and demanded the scrapping of the SoO agreement.
Imphal, May 28: An Indigenous People’s Meet organised by the Federation of Haomee was held on Thursday at Iboyaima Sumang Leela Shanglen inside the Palace Compound in Imphal, where representatives of several indigenous communities adopted five resolutions related to the ongoing crisis in Manipur and the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement.
The gathering also witnessed the burning of effigies of two Kuki militant leaders — Kuki National Organisation (KNO)/Kuki National Army (KNA) president Paolun Soyang Haokip and Zomi Reunification Army (ZRA) president Thanglianpou Guite.
According to the organisers, the resolutions were adopted collectively by representatives of various indigenous communities residing in Manipur. Leaders representing communities including Meitei, Kabui, Liangmai, Chiru, Purum, Moyon, Thangal, Khoibu, Tarao, Chothe, Kharam, Maram, Mao, Tangkhul, Aimol, Anal, Paomai, Lamkang, Koireng, Maring, Zeliangrong and Monsang attended the meeting as presidium members.
The first resolution alleged that immigrants who had “illegally intruded” into Manipur over several decades were responsible for violence and killings of indigenous people, including children, and accused them of demanding a separate territory from the state’s inherited land. The meeting resolved that indigenous groups would collectively oppose such actions.
The second resolution demanded the immediate abrogation of the Suspension of Operations agreement signed between the Government of India and Kuki militant groups under the KNO and ZRA umbrella organisations. The resolution claimed that crimes linked to the ongoing conflict continued under the SoO arrangement and called for stringent action against the agreement.
The third resolution sought the arrest and repatriation of Paolun Soyang Haokip and Thanglianpou Guite, alleging that both leaders were of Myanmar origin. The resolution referred to provisions under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, and a Ministry of Home Affairs notification dated September 1, 2025, which delegated powers to state governments and Union Territory administrations to detect, restrict movement and deport foreign nationals staying illegally in India.
According to the resolution, Paolun Soyang Haokip was identified as being from Molnoi village in Homalin township of Sagaing region in Myanmar, while Thanglianpou Guite was described as a native of Pangmual village in Tonzang township of Chin State. The meeting resolved to demand their repatriation in accordance with the law.
The fourth resolution stated that Manipur was an inherited land passed down through generations and affirmed that the indigenous communities would take responsibility for safeguarding the territorial integrity of the state.
The fifth resolution entrusted the Federation of Haomee with carrying forward and implementing the resolutions adopted during the meeting. It also pledged collective support and coordination among the participating indigenous communities.
Speaking during the programme, Federation of Haomee president Sapamcha Jadumani called for unity among indigenous communities in Manipur. He said that unless people fought together against what he described as “invasion” into the land, they would not succeed.
“The valley alone cannot form Manipur. The hills and valley together make the composite Manipur,” he said, adding that the gathering aimed to bring together indigenous communities to protect the state.
Jadumani also criticised both the Manipur government and the Centre, claiming that public faith in the governments had eroded amid the prolonged unrest in the state. He alleged that despite loss of lives during the violence, the authorities had failed to adequately address public concerns.
Referring to the highway blockade imposed in Kuki-dominated areas, he claimed that hundreds of vehicles remained stranded along the national highways while the government continued with official programmes and project inaugurations.
He further stated that indigenous communities needed to unite to collectively confront the challenges arising from the ongoing crisis. He alleged that attempts were being made to divide Manipur and asserted that the state’s territorial integrity must be protected.
The programme concluded with participating organisations reaffirming support for the resolutions adopted during the meeting and calling for continued coordination among indigenous groups in Manipur.
