Ukhrul, May 23: The Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS), the apex student body of the Tangkhul Naga community, has issued a strongly worded statement condemning the recent hoisting of the Meitei seven-colored flag atop the sacred Shirui peak during the ongoing Shirui Lily Festival.
The incident, allegedly carried out by members of the Arambai Tenggol, specifically a unit calling itself the “Cobra Team – Unit 58”, has sparked widespread outrage among the local Tangkhul community.
TKS in its statement described the act as a “deliberate political provocation” and “an insult” to the identity, culture, and territorial sanctity of the Tangkhul Nagas.
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“The Shirui Lily Festival is a solemn celebration of our rare endemic flower, our land, and the enduring spirit of the Tangkhul Naga people,” the TKS said. “To carry out this kind of symbolic aggression in sacred Tangkhul territory is a calculated attempt to disrupt peace and politicise a neutral cultural platform.”
The TKS rejected the notion that the seven-colored Meitei flag represents the collective will of Manipur and reaffirmed the Tangkhul people’s allegiance to the sky-blue Naga flag, which it said reflects their political aspirations and historical truth. “We will not tolerate any attempt to politicise our sacred spaces or challenge the historical and cultural ownership of our land,” the student union warned.
Calling the action “reckless and inflammatory,” the TKS said that such provocations would not be taken lightly and warned of “strong consequences” should similar acts be repeated. “TKS will not allow such actions to go unchallenged. We issue this statement as a stern and final warning. Any repetition of this kind of intrusion and political posturing will face strong consequences. The dignity, history, and territorial integrity of the Tangkhul Naga people are non-negotiable,” asserted TKS.
The statement also reminded all communities that while the Tangkhul people have traditionally welcomed all visitors to the Shirui Lily Festival with open arms, their hospitality must not be mistaken for weakness. “The peace of the hills must not be disturbed under the guise of festivity or unity,” it added.
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The TKS then urged all citizens and organisations to reflect seriously on the incident and take measures to prevent such divisive acts in the future. It emphasised the importance of mutual respect and coexistence for the maintenance of peace and justice in the region.