Kohima, September 18: Strongly reacting to the comment of former Lok Sabha MP from Manipur, Dr. Lorho Pfoze, the Naga People’s Front (NPF) said today that the “attention of the Naga People’s Front (NPF) was drawn to the statement made by Dr. Lorho S. Pfoze published in sections of newspapers on September 16, 2025, wherein he alleged that the NPF is a ‘highly exclusive political party’ with ‘no room for members from other communities'”.
The NPF office based in Kohima said this statement is factually incorrect, misleading, and unfortunate, “especially coming from a person who was himself the official NPF candidate for the Outer Manipur Parliamentary constituency in 2019”.
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The NPF, in a statement issued today said, “Dr. Lorho was relatively unknown beyond his immediate circle before 2019, but the NPF took the bold decision to nominate him after extensive consultation and spade work”. The NPF statement also said the party invested its resources, energy, and manpower tirelessly to ensure his victory. “He was elected with a margin of about 80,000 votes — a feat made possible because NPF reached out to all sections of society, not just the Nagas”, it added.
For the record, there are 27 assembly constituencies under the Outer Parliamentary seat of Manipur.
The Manipur State Unit of NPF has six divisions – Senapati, Ukhrul, Tamenglong, Chandel, Churachandpur, and Sadar Hills. The last two divisions are predominantly Kuki-Zoumi areas, said the NPF. All office bearers of the Churachandpur division have been from the Kuki and Zoumi communities, the NPF also said. “The Sadar Hills division, which has a mixed population of Nagas, Kukis, and Nepalis, has had Kuki presidents in the past — Mr. Chongloi (two terms) and Mr. Thanboi Haokip (one term). Mr. Sepu Haokip, a Kuki leader, served as Manipur State Unit vice president for three terms and twice contested assembly elections as the official NPF candidate, losing by a very narrow margin”, the NPF statement added.
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“These facts clearly demonstrate that NPF is not exclusive to any one community but rather works with all sections of the population for peace, prosperity, and mutual understanding. It is because of this inclusive approach that during the 2024 MP election, more than 70,000 Meitei and Muslim voters supported the NPF candidate,” the NPF statement pointed out.
Dr. Lorho’s statement, therefore, displays a regrettable ignorance of the party’s organizational structure, policies, and its close relationship with every community in Manipur, the NPF further said. “As a former MP, he ought to have acknowledged the contribution of the diverse electorate that sent him to Parliament rather than dismissing them with such an immature and divisive remark”, it stated.
The NPF then reaffirmed its commitment to remain a platform for all communities, irrespective of tribes, faiths, or backgrounds, to work collectively for lasting peace and development in Manipur.
(Newmai News Network)
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