Tamenglong, May 28: The Committee on Protection of Indigenous Peoples’ Ancestral Land (COPIPAL), inclusive of all Zeliangrong kindred tribes, has announced a complete ban on the movement of Kukis across the territories of four major Indigenous tribes in Manipur, namely, the Inpui, Liangmai, Rongmei, and Zeme, effective from June 2, 2025.
The decision was conveyed in an official statement issued by COPIPAL following a recent surge in ethnic tensions, including what the committee described as an “unprovoked and orchestrated attack” on the Konsaram Naga village on April 5, 2025.
Formed during a Joint Tribe Council (JTC) consultative meeting on April 14, 2025, COPIPAL stated that it felt compelled to take this action in light of the “grave affront” posed to the dignity, safety, and rights of the Indigenous Naga people.
Describing the April 5 attack as unjustified and deeply troubling, the Committee’s statement framed the ban as both a “mark of protest” and a “step towards safeguarding ancestral land and people”. COPIPAL maintained that the move was made with “great restraint”, but was necessitated by the seriousness of the situation.
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The statement also called for all communities and stakeholders to respect the ban and work towards a peaceful resolution through dialogue, under the auspices of COPIPAL. It reaffirmed the Committee’s commitment to securing the rights, identity, and security of Indigenous Naga populations.