UKHRUL: The Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address what it described as the historical and structural causes of the Manipur conflict, seeking a permanent political solution, revocation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement and withdrawal of Assam Rifles from Naga-inhabited areas.
In an 11-point memorandum submitted on November 5 through the deputy commissioner of Ukhrul district, the TNL and four other Tangkhul Naga organisations called for the Centre’s intervention, citing continued attacks on Naga civilians, alleged illegal immigration from Myanmar and what they termed an unequal political representation of the hill and valley regions.
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The memorandum was submitted on a day when hundreds of people took part in a rally at Ukhrul and Kamjong district headquarters, organised by the TNL and its affiliated organisations under the aegis of the United Naga Council (UNC), demanding an end to the political crisis in Manipur, what they described as proxy warfare and the removal of Assam Rifles from Naga areas.
Participants from Kamjong and neighbouring villages, including Grihang, Bungpa Khunou, Bungpa Khullen, Phungyar and Phange, joined the rally, which began at Police Gate and Kamjong High School Gate before culminating at Awontang Traffic Point.
Addressing the gathering, TNL legal advisor Sira Kharay alleged that the Government of India was using Kuki groups to wage war against the Nagas and accused Assam Rifles of colluding with Kuki militants. He also raised concerns over alleged unchecked immigration into Naga areas and called for unity among Naga armed groups.
Following the rally, the Tangkhul Shanao Long submitted a separate memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister, Amit Shah through the deputy commissioner of Kamjong district.
In its memorandum submitted through Ukhrul, the TNL traced the escalation of violence in Naga-inhabited areas to February 7, 2026, when a Naga civilian was allegedly assaulted, followed by the burning of more than 23 Tangkhul Naga houses in the Litan area the next day.
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The apex Tangkhul civil body claimed that more than 32 Naga civilians had been killed since the escalation of violence, citing among other incidents the killing of six abducted Liangmai Naga men whose mutilated bodies were recovered on June 10, and the killing of Ajinpou Ringkangmai along the Imphal-Tamenglong road in Kangpokpi district on October 10.
The TNL alleged that no arrests had been made in connection with the latter incident and questioned the implementation of the SoO ground rules governing Kuki armed groups.
Citing a report published by The Sangai Express on October 22, the memorandum questioned the verification of cadres at the Sinai camp, stating that only 18 cadres were reportedly found during the verification exercise against an estimated 140 to 150 cadres expected to be stationed there.
The apex body also accused Assam Rifles of providing support and logistical assistance to Kuki armed groups, allegations that require a response from the security force.
Referring to the October 17 incident near Chassad village, the TNL alleged that the 11 Assam Rifles, under the command of Colonel Vivek Tripathi, carried out bombings, shelling and firing in residential areas of Kamjong district headquarters between 9 pm and 9.30 pm.
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Hill-valley disparity at centre of demands
The memorandum identified political representation as a major structural issue underlying the Manipur conflict.
According to the TNL, the valley, which accounts for approximately 10 per cent of the state’s geographical area and 53 per cent of its population, has 40 Assembly constituencies, while the hill areas, accounting for 90 per cent of the geographical area and 47 per cent of the population, have 19 constituencies.
Describing the arrangement as undemocratic and discriminatory towards tribal communities, particularly the Nagas, the organisation demanded a restructuring of political representation in the Manipur Legislative Assembly in accordance with constitutional provisions.
It also alleged that the number of Kuki villages in Manipur had increased from 73 recorded in the 1881 census to 1,878 at present, attributing the increase to alleged illegal immigration from neighbouring Myanmar. The figures and the historical comparison cited in the memorandum have not been independently verified.
11-point charter
Among its principal demands, the TNL called for recognition of the Manipur crisis as a historical problem involving alleged illegal immigration and hill-valley disparity, withdrawal of Assam Rifles from Naga-inhabited areas, abrogation of the SoO agreements and disarming and arresting cadres operating under the arrangement.
It also sought identification and deportation of alleged illegal immigrants, a ban on any separate homeland or administrative arrangement affecting Naga ancestral territories, and the declaration of several Kuki armed groups and their affiliated organisations as terrorist organisations.
Other demands include relocating internally displaced persons away from Naga-inhabited areas, removing Nemcha Kipgen from the post of deputy chief minister, and cancelling what the organisation described as illegal chieftainship touzis and land permits issued in favour of Kuki immigrants.
The memorandum also opposed any separate territorial council or administrative arrangement for the Kukis that, according to the TNL, could affect the integrity of Naga ancestral territories.
The TNL maintained that a lasting resolution to the Manipur crisis would require addressing the underlying political and structural issues rather than relying solely on security measures.
The memorandum was signed by Sword Vashum, president of the Tangkhul Naga Long; Kashung Tennyson, president of the Tangkhul Naga Awunga Long; Thingreiphi Lungharwoshi, president of the Tangkhul Shanao Long; Ramreichan Keishing, president of the Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong; and Ringphapam Kasar, president of the Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long.
