Ukhrul, July 20: The Makhan-Kanglatongbi Naga Forum (MKNF) has come out in strong support of the indefinite bandh called by the Foothills Naga Coordinating Committee (FNCC) opposing the movement of Kukis in Naga areas. In a press release issued on Sunday, the forum said it fully endorses the FNCC’s protest, describing it as a legitimate expression of the concerns of the Indigenous Naga people.
The MKNF said it stands firmly behind the FNCC’s key demands, which it believes reflect the collective voice of the Nagas. It also raised serious concerns over what it sees as growing threats to Naga ancestral lands.
Related | FNCC enforces blockade against Kukis in Naga-inhabited areas
Among the issues flagged were the proposed “Tiger Road” or “German Road” project, named after two Kuki militant leaders, believed by the forum to be a covert attempt to alter territorial boundaries, Illegal Establishment of SoO (Suspension of Operation) camps by Kuki militants within Naga territories, and Rampant Poppy cultivation that it says is damaging the social and environmental fabric of Indigenous lands.
Calling the situation urgent, the MKNF appealed to the Government of India to:
- Immediately dismantle all illegal SoO camps and militant training centres established on Naga land;
- Stop further encroachments and ensure no roads or landmarks within Naga areas are renamed without proper consultation with local and Indigenous communities;
- Halt the creation of new SoO camps, especially along the proposed Haflong–Imphal National Highway, which the forum described as a strategic provocation that could lead to conflict.
Related | Liangmai Chiefs Back FNCC, Say ‘No More Compromise’ on Naga Land, Demand Action on Kuki Encroachment
“We remain committed to peace, justice, and divine guidance,” the MKNF said in its statement, while adding a clear warning: any attempt to manipulate or expand territorial claims under the guise of peacebuilding would be strongly resisted.
