Ukhrul, October 6: The Maring Students’ Union (MSU) has expressed strong resentment and “serious concern” over reports that a group identifying themselves as the “Khoibu tribe” plans to organise a festival on October 7, 2025, at Khangshim Village, a model village built and developed by the Maring community.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the MSU said the event, which is being organised by individuals seeking separation from the Maring tribe, is “highly regrettable” and motivated by “personal ambition and greed for position.” The Union alleged that the group’s persistent lobbying with the Government of Manipur, the Government of India, and the GPRN for separate recognition as a distinct tribe was a “deliberate attempt to distort history and divide the Maring people.”
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“Such divisive acts are not only misleading but also an insult to the sacrifices and contributions of our forefathers who have preserved the Maring identity through generations,” the statement read.
The MSU reaffirmed that “there is absolutely no gain in breaking away from one’s root and heritage,” warning that such actions could create identity crises and confusion among younger generations. It described the development as a direct challenge to the Maring tribe’s traditions, culture, and identity — values the Union vowed to defend “at all costs.”
The Union further cautioned the organisers against holding the “Haichingbawng” celebration within what it termed Maring ancestral territory. “If certain individuals now claim to belong to a different tribe, they should hold their celebration elsewhere. Any attempt to conduct such activities within Maring ancestral land will be regarded as a provocative and unacceptable act,” the MSU warned.
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It urged all parties to refrain from actions that could disturb peace and harmony in the area, stating that any untoward incident arising from the event would be the sole responsibility of the organisers.
Reiterating its firm stance, the Maring Students’ Union declared that it “stands united and resolute in protecting the land, culture, and identity of the Maring people against any divisive or misleading attempts.”