Five Tangkhul Naga organisations have urged PM Narendra Modi to address Manipur's crisis through political restructuring, Assam Rifles withdrawal and action on immigration and SoO agreements.
Imphal, Nov. 5: Five Tangkhul Naga civil society organisations have appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the ongoing crisis in Manipur through a permanent political solution, citing alleged illegal immigration, demographic changes, unequal political representation and security concerns in Naga-inhabited areas.
In a memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister through the Deputy Commissioner of Ukhrul district on November 5, the organisations called for restructuring political representation in the Manipur Legislative Assembly, withdrawal of Assam Rifles from Naga-inhabited areas, revocation of Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreements with Kuki militant groups and identification and deportation of alleged illegal immigrants.
The signatories also opposed any separate homeland, administrative arrangement or territorial council for the Kukis that could affect Naga ancestral territories.
The memorandum was signed by Sword Vashum, president of Tangkhul Naga Long; Kashung Tennyson, president of Tangkhul Naga Awunga Long; Ramreichan Keishing, president of Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong; Thingreiphi Lungharwoshi, president of Tangkhul Shanao Long; and Ringphapam Kasar, president of Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long.
The organisations stated that the violence which began on May 3, 2023, had increasingly spread into Naga-inhabited areas.
They cited an assault on a Naga civilian on February 7, 2026, followed by the burning of more than 23 Tangkhul Naga houses in the Litan area the next day. The memorandum alleged that killings, abductions, arson and firing incidents targeting Naga civilians had continued since then.
The signatories claimed that more than 32 Naga civilians had been killed. Among the incidents mentioned was the recovery of the bodies of six abducted Liangmei Naga persons on June 10, 2026, which the memorandum described as an extremely brutal killing.
They also referred to the killing of Lt. Ajinbou Ringkangmai at IT Road in Kangpokpi district on October 10, alleging that he had been beheaded while alive.
The organisations further claimed that the main perpetrators of several incidents had not been arrested despite what they described as an admission by the chairman of the Kuki-Zo Council during a press conference on June 25.
These accounts and allegations were presented by the signatories and have not been independently established through the memorandum.
The memorandum raised concerns over the implementation of the SoO agreement with Kuki militant groups, alleging that the participating cadres had continued unlawful activities despite restrictions under the ground rules.
The signatories pointed out that SoO cadres are required to refrain from violence, extortion and intimidation, while their weapons must be kept in monitored, double-locked armouries or designated locations near security force camps.
They cited a Sangai Express report dated October 22, which stated that only 18 cadres were found at Sinai Camp during a verification exercise beginning October 20, although 140 to 150 KNA and KLA cadres were reportedly expected to be stationed there.
Questioning the whereabouts of the remaining cadres, the organisations alleged that the SoO arrangements were not being effectively implemented.
They demanded revocation of the agreements, disarmament and arrest of the participating cadres, and declaration of KNF (P), KNA/KNO and their affiliated groups as terrorist organisations.
The Tangkhul organisations also accused Assam Rifles of allegedly supporting Kuki militant groups and questioned the conduct of central security forces in Naga-inhabited areas.
The memorandum claimed that villagers had witnessed suspicious movements involving the transportation of logistics and other materials. It also alleged that Kuki militants had been seen wearing Indian Army uniforms and moving alongside security personnel.
Referring to an incident on October 17, the signatories said Indian-made ammunition and armed accessories were allegedly recovered from Kuki militants near Chassad Kuki village.
They further alleged that the 11 Assam Rifles, under Colonel Vivek Tripathi, carried out bombing, shelling and firing in civilian and residential areas of Kamjong district headquarters between 9 pm and 9.30 pm on the same day.
The organisations described the incident as an attack on innocent civilians and demanded the withdrawal of Assam Rifles from all Naga-inhabited areas.
The allegations against Assam Rifles and the personnel named in the memorandum have not been independently verified.
A central demand concerns the distribution of Assembly constituencies between the hill and valley areas of Manipur.
The signatories argued that the existing arrangement has resulted in the political marginalisation of tribal communities, particularly the Nagas.
According to the memorandum, the valley accounts for approximately 10 per cent of Manipur's geographical area and 53 per cent of its population, while the hills account for 90 per cent of the geographical area and 47 per cent of the population.
However, the valley has 40 Assembly constituencies compared with 19 in the hill areas.
The organisations claimed that an average valley constituency covers around 50 square kilometres and represents approximately 43,000 people, while a hill constituency covers around 1,150 square kilometres and represents approximately 68,000 people.
Describing the arrangement as undemocratic and unconstitutional, they demanded a complete restructuring of legislative representation in accordance with constitutional principles.
The memorandum also urged the Centre to recognise what the signatories described as historical demographic changes caused by the influx of Kuki refugees and illegal immigrants from neighbouring Myanmar.
Citing the 1881 Census, they claimed that the number of Kuki villages in Manipur had increased from around 73 to approximately 1,878.
They alleged that the expansion involved encroachment on tribal lands and forest areas, including areas used for poppy cultivation.
The organisations demanded identification of alleged illegal immigrants and refugees, followed by their repatriation or deportation to their countries of origin within a time-bound framework.
They also called on the Manipur government to cancel what they described as illegally issued chieftainship Touzis, village and settlement Pattas and permits, and to evict unauthorised settlements in accordance with law.
The figures and allegations concerning immigration and village expansion were claims made by the signatories and were not independently substantiated in the memorandum.
The Tangkhul bodies opposed any separate homeland, administrative arrangement or territorial council for the Kukis that could affect Naga ancestral territories.
They also demanded the relocation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) away from Naga-inhabited areas and the removal of Nemcha Kipgen from the post of Deputy Chief Minister of Manipur.
In their 11-point charter, the organisations called for political restructuring, withdrawal of Assam Rifles, an end to alleged proxy warfare, identification and deportation of illegal immigrants, revocation of SoO agreements, disarmament of militant cadres and protection of Naga ancestral territories.
The signatories said their demands were aimed at restoring lasting peace and normalcy in Manipur. They urged the Prime Minister to directly intervene and address what they described as the historical and structural causes of the state's continuing political and security crisis.
