Imphal, Jan 9: While condemning the “assault and manhandling” of a Liangmai woman on January 7, 2025 in Konsakhul, and the destruction of her mobile phone while she was working on her land, the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has called upon all the “indigenous communities of Manipur” to exercise vigilance and caution when dealing with requests for settlement from “new groups” in their respective areas. “It is crucial to protect our lands, identities, and resources from exploitation and illegal encroachment,” the COCOMI said today in a statement.
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The COCOMI then said the January 7 incident “is a shocking act of aggression”. The statement also said, “This incident, perpetrated by tenant settlers from the Chin-Kuki community, reflects the popular Manipuri proverb ‘Yong na loupu tanlakpa‘ (owner of the paddy field chased away by invading monkeys)”.
The indigenous communities of Manipur have long faced systematic encroachment and occupation of their lands by immigrant groups and unaccounted refugees over the past decades, the COCOMI also said. The situation has reached alarming proportions, with “tenant settlers, predominantly from Chin-Kuki communities, engaging in forceful occupation and exploitation of forest resources in areas where they have settled, often without the consent of the rightful village authorities,” the COCOMI further said.
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Konsakhul (also known as Konsaram) is one of the oldest Liangmai villages and holds immense historical significance. The first settlement of Leilon Vaiphei village, established with the consent of the Konsakhul village chief, paved the way for the emergence of other villages belonging to the Chin-Kuki community, the COCOMI informed. Over time, the “tenant settlers” have grown in number, now surrounding Konsakhul, and are attempting to assert dominance over the indigenous village, it added.
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The COCOMI then said the “assault” on the Liangmai woman was not an isolated incident but a manifestation of a larger pattern of land encroachment and territorial aggression. The COCOMI also said the refusal of “tenant settlers” to respect the original agreements and their attempts to dictate terms to the indigenous community have created an untenable situation. “The lack of clarity in administrative records regarding the status of hill villages has further emboldened these groups, who exploit the gaps to justify illegal occupations,” it further added.
The COCOMI strongly condemned the “high-handed actions of the tenant settlers who attacked the rightful landowner with the ulterior motive of legitimizing their claims over the land”. It said such “acts of aggression” against indigenous communities must not be tolerated. The COCOMI urged the Konsakhul Village Authority to remain steadfast in their commitment to expose and address these encroachments while safeguarding the rights of the indigenous people.
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The COCOMI then appealed to the concerned state administration to take immediate action to resolve this issue in accordance with the law, based on historical records and facts. At the same time, it urged all parties to refrain from resorting to violence, but to seek peaceful resolutions.
The COCOMI then said the struggle to preserve the integrity of “our indigenous lands and communities” is a collective responsibility. The COCOMI then said it “remains committed” to safeguarding the rights and dignity of the indigenous people of Manipur.
(Newmai News Network)
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