UKHRUL: As hundreds of women gathered wrapped in rich red Tangkhul shawls at Wungvei (Mahadev) on International Women’s Day, the stand taken by the Tangkhul Shanao Long (TSL) in solidarity with the displaced people of Litan evoked memories of the many movements throughout history led by women, movements that carry the true meaning and weight of this day.
Following the conflict of February 2026, Tangkhul women stationed at various points across Tangkhul Naga areas have stepped into the frontlines, protesting, patrolling and monitoring movement within their jurisdictions. Wungvei (Mahadev), where the gathering was held, marks the beginning of the foothill areas, a region that holds strategic significance for the Nagas and remains a point of contention between the Kukis and the Nagas.
International Women’s Day itself emerged from resistance. In 1917, Russian women demanded “bread and peace” during a wartime strike. Four days into the protest, the Tsar was forced to abdicate, and the provisional government granted women the right to vote. According to the Julian calendar then used in Russia, the strike began on 23 February, a date that corresponds to 8 March in the Gregorian calendar used in much of the world today.
Since then, the day has been observed globally to recognise the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, while continuing to draw attention to the struggles they endure.
Within this larger history, the TSL has long positioned itself as an active force in community movements. Founded in 1974, the organisation emerged from a collective determination to resist injustices inflicted upon women and children, as well as the wider violations of human rights experienced in the region.
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Traditionally, Tangkhul women are referred to as “Phakhreila” or “Pukreila,” meaning “peacekeeper” in the Tangkhul language. Their role as peace emissaries extends beyond the small village republic and is deeply respected within society. The Morung, the traditional institution of learning, was where many essential life skills were imparted.
The present mobilisation of Tangkhul women reflects more than protest alone. It reveals the courage and collective strength women continue to carry within Tangkhul society, while also asserting a deeper truth, a sense of belonging and ownership over ancestral Tangkhul land.