UNDER THE leadership of successive chiefs, Maremei village flourished, overcoming both opportunities and challenges. By the early 1900s, Jending Marenmei had assumed the role of Chief, skillfully guiding the community through times of prosperity and hardship. However, the outbreak of the Second World War (1939-45) brought unprecedented trials to the village. Its strategic location near the highway made it highly vulnerable to intense gunfire and relentless air bombings during fierce clashes between Japanese forces and British-Indian troops stationed at Karong and Senapati. Amidst these turbulent times, tensions escalated when one of the villagers from Maremei reportedly killed a British official, prompting the local police to constantly raid the village. Faced with these harrowing circumstances, the resilient villagers were compelled to temporarily seek refuge in nearby settlements (such as Naga Taphou village, Thonglang villages, Harup village, etc.) for their safety.
Maremei village, a proud Liangmai Naga settlement, has thrived since time immemorial, bearing witness to generations of rich history and culture. The village’s establishment is firmly rooted in tradition, with Namgangbou Marenmei recorded as its first Chief. Over the years, Maremei village earned official recognition as a legitimate settlement under the Government of Manipur, with its status firmly validated through documented revenue records. From 1894 to 1897, the village contributed revenue for 13 households, which increased to 17 households from 1897 to 1900. Furthermore, receipts from 1900 to 1903 confirm payments for 16 households, underscoring Maremei’s historical and administrative legitimacy as a recognized and thriving settlement.
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Subsequent resettlement
In 1983, Shama Marenmai, the then Chief of the Maremei clan, spearheaded the formal resettlement of Maremei village. He extended invitations to several Marenmai kindreds and other Liangmai Naga individuals to join the settlement, among whom R.K. Remping was also included.
In 1988, R.K. Remping (also known as Jurabou), an employee at the Court of the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kangpokpi Subdivision, was invited by the Marenmai clan to assist in the reestablishment of Maremei village. As a mark of jubilation for the re-establishment and as a gesture of gratitude to the Taphou Naga for their unwavering support during the resettlement process, the Maremei villagers reportedly hosted a grand feast at the Naga Taphou village in 1989.
In response to this goodwill gesture, the Chief of Naga Taphou village reportedly issued an official document dated 01/09/2023 acknowledging and consenting to the formal settlement of the Marenmai clan in the area. The document also recognized M.R. Khambou as the legal Chief of Maremei village, further cementing the reestablished village’s legitimacy and fostering a spirit of cooperation between the two communities.
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Beginning of disputes
R.K. Remping, leveraging his position as caretaker entrusted by the Marenmai Clan and Maremei village to handle legal and land disputes, was determined to consolidate complete control over the village. With premeditated intent to seize full possession of Maremei village, RK Remping clandestinely approached Atang Marenmai (an individual from Maram Khunou residing in Thonglang Akutpa) entirely by-passing the legitimate Chief of Maremei village, Shama Marenmai, and unilaterally made Atang as a self-styled headman of the village. To solidify his plan, RK Remping executed a “Power of Attorney” through Atang without informing Mr. Shama (Chief of Marenmai village) or seeking the approval of the Maremei village council.
In an even more troubling twist, many of the signatories and witnesses to the “Power of Attorney” were reportedly unaware of its legal implications. Astonishingly, some signatories only discovered the existence of this document as late as December 2024. One such witness, Ch. Apingbou, issued a public declaration dated December 7, 2024, stating that he had been misled by RK. Remping, who claimed to have obtained permission from Shama Marenmai, the Chief of Maremei village, to sign the document.
It is well-documented and publicly acknowledged that the grandsons of Atang Marenmai—through whom the “Power of Attorney” was allegedly executed—have confirmed that while their father and grandfather belonged to the Marenmai Clan, they were never part of the Marenmai chieftainship lineage and Atang was never the legitimate Chief of Maremei village.
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After obtaining Power of Attorney deceitfully, R.K. Remping began to exploit his position for personal gain. Acting arbitrarily and without accountability, he went so far as to sell lands to adversaries, particularly the Kukis, who had been actively opposing the resettlement of the Naga village (despite their clear knowledge and admission that Maremei village rightfully belonged to the Marenmai clan of Liangmai Naga).
Sensing the deceitful intentions of R.K. Remping, the elders of the Marenmai clan submitted a formal representation to the Chief Minister of Manipur on 29th August 1987. In their appeal, they firmly stated that Maremei village is a community-owned property, not the possession of any individual. They also emphasized that, under Liangmai Naga customary law, community land cannot be sold or used for personal purposes by any individual.
Aware of the potential legal repercussions of his unlawful actions, including the sale of land to multiple parties, particularly the Kukis, R.K. Remping allegedly formed an alliance with the Chief of the neighbouring Kuki Taphou village to conceal his misdeeds. In a controversial move, RK Remping erroneously signed a “Compromise Deed” and a “Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)” with Lenkhomang Chongloi, the Chief of Kuki Taphou, on 21st May 2022. This action was carried out without the consent of the Maremei Village Council and directly violated its authority. Together, RK Remping and the Kuki Taphou Chief attempted to justify their illegal sale of Maremei/Liangmai Naga ancestral land to unsuspecting Naga individuals in Senapati.
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To prevent further damage to the community’s land and heritage, the Liangmai Naga Council, the apex body of the Liangmai people, intervened. Under their guidance, RK Remping reportedly expressed remorse for his actions. On 18th June 2024, he submitted a formal representation to the Deputy Commissioner of Kangpokpi, Manipur (Receipt No. 436), acknowledging that, unlike the Chiefs of Kuki villages, Liangmai village chiefs do not have absolute authority over community land, as it is collectively owned. He further declared that “no individual has the right to sell, purchase, or compromise any portion of land within the jurisdiction of Maremei village.”
In addition, RK Remping issued a separate declaration dated 13th June 2024, unequivocally stating that the “Compromise Deed” and “Memorandum of Agreement” he had entered into with the Kuki Chief on 21st May 2022 were “null and void.” This reaffirmed the Maremei clan’s ownership of the land and underscored their commitment to protecting their ancestral heritage.
How RK remping misled the GPRN
RK. Remping, in his representation to the GPRN, misled the Naga Government in general and the Liangmai Naga community in particular by falsely claiming that he had executed a Power of Attorney with Atang Marenmai, whom he described as the village headman. He further asserted that Atang had relinquished his chieftainship. In reality, Mr. Shama Marenmai was the legitimate Chief of Maremei village at the time. RK Remping had arbitrarily chosen Atang, elevating him to the position of headman overnight without any legitimate basis or consent from the Marenmei village council.
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The truth of the matter was publicly clarified on December 1, 2024, when the grandsons of Atang Marenmai (namely Lunglinbou Marenmai and T. Luckyson Marenmai) issued a declaration confirming that while their grandfather (Atang) was indeed a member of the Marenmai Clan, he was not part of the chieftainship lineage and had never been the Chief of Maremei village. This revelation starkly exposed the baseless nature of RK Remping’s claims and his deliberate misrepresentation of the facts.
Crux of the issues
The core issue at hand is the audacious claim of one man attempting to usurp the collective rights of an entire Liangmai Naga community. R.K. Remping, a controversial figure, has cunningly manipulated numerous innocent individuals, particularly fellow Nagas, into believing the falsehood that he is the rightful owner of the ancient ancestral lands of Maremei village. This deliberate distortion of truth not only undermines the long-standing community ownership of the Marenmai clan but has also sown discord and caused irreparable damage among the Naga brethren.
It must be unequivocally stated that Maremei village is a community-owned entity, deeply rooted in Liangmai Naga customary law, which forbids any individual from claiming exclusive ownership over the community’s land. RK Remping’s baseless assertion of authority is a direct affront to the principles of unity and justice upheld by the Marenmai clan for generations. His actions are not only illegitimate but also an insult to the collective legacy and governance of the Liangmai Naga people.
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The truth remains clear: no individual, including R.K. Remping, has the right to appropriate or exploit the ancestral lands of Maremei village for personal gain. Such claims must be resolutely rejected and met with unwavering opposition to safeguard the integrity and rich heritage of the Maremei village.
The author is a freelance writer, and can be reached at liangmai367@gmail.com. Views are personal.
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