Imphal, 29 May (HS): In a significant escalation of ethnic tensions, movement of Kuki communities has been banned across the territories of four Naga tribes in Manipur, starting June 2. The prohibition, announced by the Committee on Protection of Indigenous People's Ancestral Land (COPIPAL), applies to areas under the Inpui, Liangmai, Rongmei, and Zeme tribes.
Formed during a People’s Consultative Meeting held on April 14 in Konsaram village by the Joint Tribe Council (JTC), COPIPAL attributes this move to the violent incident that took place on April 5 in Konsaram. The attack, which targeted the Naga community, was denounced by the committee as a “deliberate and hostile provocation” that disrupted communal harmony and endangered the dignity of Indigenous Nagas.
Describing the situation as a “serious breakdown in peaceful coexistence,” COPIPAL stated in its statement on Thursday that the ban, though drastic, is a response proportionate to the gravity of the April 5 incident. It clarified that the restriction will stay in place until a mutually acceptable resolution emerges through open dialogue and good-faith engagement among all stakeholders.
The Committee urged every ethnic group and civil body to honour the ban, appealing for unity and cooperation to restore normalcy and uphold ancestral territorial claims of the Nagas.
Reinforcing this stance, the Regional Naga Council of Manipur (RNCM)- referring to COPIPAL’s May 28 press release- instructed all Luangrian leaders and affiliated organizations to strictly implement the resolution in their areas. Coordination duties have been delegated to the Rongmei Naga Students’ Organization Manipur (RNSOM) and Rongmei Naga Youth Organization Manipur (RNYOM) to ensure widespread enforcement.
While calling for calm, both COPIPAL and RNCM underlined their commitment to lawful and non-violent assertion of Indigenous rights. They emphasized vigilance and solidarity as key to preserving Naga identity and land amidst rising inter-ethnic strife.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash
