UKHRUL: A joint civil body representing the Meitei/Meetei and Naga communities, called the Native Peoples’ Committee, Manipur (NPCM), was formed today during a meeting held at Imphal Hotel, Imphal.
In a press release, the committee stated that its formation follows a meeting on May 21 at Hotel Imphal, where leaders from both communities discussed the existential challenges facing the Native Peoples of Manipur and sought to institutionalize the spirit of unity fostered during that meeting. The NPCM will serve as a collective vanguard for the Native Peoples of Manipur, striving to protect their rights, dignity, land, and identity, and to ensure a respectable existence for both current and future generations.
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During today’s meeting, members unanimously elected Ashang Kasar as the Convener, with Ph. Deban and Dr. L. Phaomei serving as co-conveners to lead the initial term. It was also agreed that the office bearers and executive members of the NPCM would include equal representation from both the Meitei/Meetei and Naga communities, promoting balance, mutual respect, and collective responsibility.
“The NPCM will serve as a unified platform to coordinate policy, articulate common positions, and pursue peaceful, democratic, and constitutional means to defend the land, rights, and future of the Native Peoples of Manipur against all internal divisive forces and external aggression,” the statement noted.
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The meeting also adopted a resolution to hold a public convention of the Native Peoples of Manipur on June 2, 2026, at Makhan village. Furthermore, the committee will advocate for the removal of the Assam Rifles from Manipur and the abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki militants as soon as possible. Additionally, the committee has called for the immediate implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the state.