Massive Tangkhul Naga rally in Manipur demands removal of Assam Rifles from Naga areas

New Delhi: Hundreds of people joined a rally at Kamjong district headquarters in Manipur on Friday, demanding an end to the state’s political crisis and the removal of Assam Rifles from Naga inhabited areas. Organized by the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) and its affiliated organizations under the aegis of the United Naga Council (UNC), the protest also called for an end to what the organizers described as a proxy war against the Nagas.

The rally began at the Police Gate and Kamjong High School gate and ended at Awontang traffic point. Residents of Kamjong and nearby villages, including Grihang, Bungpa Khunou, Bungpa Khullen, Phungyar and Phange, joined the protest along with civil society leaders and other organization members.

Protesters carried banners demanding the repatriation of Kuki refugees and the deportation of alleged illegal immigrants. Other demands included scrapping the suspension of operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki armed groups, declaring Kuki militants a terrorist organization and ending civilian killings. Some banners also called for the removal of the deputy chief minister of Manipur, Nemcha Kipgen, and criticized the commandant of the 11 Assam Rifles.

Addressing the gathering, TNL legal adviser Sira Kharay alleged that the Indian government was using Kuki groups to wage a war against the Nagas, Ukhrul Times reported. He also accused Assam Rifles of supporting Kuki militants and raised concerns about illegal immigration into Naga areas. He called on Naga armed groups to come and work together to raise their demands.

After the rally, the Tangkhul Shanao Long submitted a memorandum addressed to the prime minister and Union home minister through the Kamjong deputy commissioner. The chairman of the Tangkhul Naga Zingsho Longphang (TNZL) thanked the participants and stressed the need for unity.

The rally comes amid fresh clashes between armed groups in Manipur. Earlier this month, at least three suspected militants were killed in a gunfight between rival Naga factions at Taodaijang village in Noney district. The groups involved reportedly included the Jenchui faction of the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF-J), its Kamson faction (ZUF-K) and the NSCN-IM, as earlier reported by RNA Media.

Reports differed over the number of casualties and the affiliations of those killed. Local women later approached the area and appealed to the armed groups to stop firing. The confrontation followed accusations by ZUF-K that ZUF-J was collaborating with security forces, although the immediate trigger for the gunfight remains unclear.

In a separate incident on the same day, unidentified gunmen opened fire on vehicles travelling from Imphal towards Ukhrul on National Highway-202. The shooting took place between Leingangching and TM Kasom, and no injuries were reported.

Wider conflict

The latest incidents come as Manipur continues to struggle with ethnic conflict which began between the Meitei and Kuki communities in May 2023. The violence has claimed more than 300 lives and displaced over 60,000 people. Subsequent confrontations involving Naga and Kuki groups have added to the security challenges in the state.

Meanwhile, the Committee on Tribal Unity, a Kuki Zo civil society organization, has extended its shutdown in Kangpokpi until 5pm of Friday. The shutdown has also disrupted transport between Imphal and neighbouring states.

The Manipur government has separately ordered the formation of peace committees in all 16 districts. Headed by district magistrates, these committees will include police and administrative officials, along with community and civil society representatives. The intention is to promote dialogue, deal with grievances, and prevent further violence.

The Center and the Manipur government had also signed an agreement for cessation of operations with the Zeliangrong United Front on December 27, 2022. The deal would see the armed group renounce violence and join the democratic process with a joint monitoring group to supervise the implementation.