UKHRUL: The Naga Women’s Union (NWU) has called upon the Government of India and the Government of Manipur to take immediate and decisive measures to address the continuing violence in the state, asserting that the Manipur conflict cannot be reduced to a conventional ethnic confrontation.
In a statement, the women organisation condemned the recent killings of four civilians — Betterson Jajo, Vareishim Jajo, Ningthem Kasak and Phami Jajo — at Pilong in Kamjong district on September 24, followed by the killings of Rocky Mao, Kumar Poumai and Ashiho Sani at Kailenjang on September 26.
The NWU alleged that the incidents occurred at strategically sensitive locations, including areas near the India-Myanmar border and between Kangpokpi and Senapati. It further pointed out that the Kailenjang incident occurred on the day of the tripartite talks involving the United Naga Council (UNC), the Government of Manipur and the Government of India in Guwahati.
Also read | BJP’s Sarat Kumar Says Congress’ SIR Objections Are Baseless
The organisation also noted that the incident occurred around the time of the arrival of the Manipur Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister in Senapati district.
The NWU maintained that the prolonged nature of the conflict indicates that its roots extend beyond ethnic antagonism and involve complex political, security, governance and territorial issues.
“The conflict in Manipur cannot be understood or addressed as a conventional ethnic conflict,” the organisation stated, arguing that the persistence of violence points to deeper structural and political factors.
The organisation expressed particular concern over the growing strategic and commercial importance of transport corridors and border routes, including Asian Highway projects, ADB-supported roads, the proposed Ring Road and international border areas.
According to the NWU, these developments have intersected with concerns over alleged illicit cross-border trade, trafficking, narcotics networks and other transnational activities associated with the wider Golden Triangle region.
The organisation also raised concerns over the use and alteration of indigenous land and forests for infrastructure and road development, alleging that such activities have in some cases taken place without the Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) of indigenous communities.
It further alleged that the large-scale cultivation of illegal crops, particularly poppy, by persons it described as non-landowners has affected land, forests and the environment, while raising questions over traditional systems of indigenous land governance and land rights.
Also read | The Naga Peace Stalemate: When a Ceasefire Becomes an Endless Waiting Room
The NWU also cited what it described as serious failures of governance and accountability, referring to the alleged abduction of 21 Naga civilians from Shangkai Kuki village on March 11, 2026, and the reported hostage-taking of 18 civilians, including women and a child, on May 13.
It said killings involving mutilation and other alleged abuses against civilians had created widespread fear and called for stronger action against those responsible.
The organisation argued that failure to hold perpetrators accountable has contributed to the continuation of violence.
The NWU further expressed concern over what it described as weaknesses in regional and international responses to issues involving drugs, arms and alleged illegal immigration. It called for a broader policy review that goes beyond immediate security measures and addresses the structural conditions sustaining instability.
“Manipur is not merely a matter of domestic security,” the organisation said, arguing that the conflict has implications for border security, indigenous rights and wider regional stability.
The NWU urged both the Centre and the state government to establish effective mechanisms to counter insurgency and violent activities in Manipur and the wider Northeast.
It said any durable political process must address underlying issues concerning land, natural resources, territorial claims, governance and the rights of indigenous communities.
Also read | Ukhrul Declaration seeks State Highway, central institutions, land ports; calls for ‘clean elections’
The organisation also called for a credible and impartial investigation into allegations of external or cross-border interference, illicit support networks, arms flows, trafficking routes and other transnational factors that may be contributing to the continuation of the conflict.
The NWU urged the authorities to act without delay and without regard to the affiliation of alleged perpetrators, stressing that civilians and unarmed communities would continue to bear the consequences if violence and impunity were allowed to persist.
It warned that continued insurgent and violent activities in the border state could have consequences beyond Manipur and pose wider security challenges to the Northeast and the country.
