Imphal | Several Naga organisations staged a rally in Manipur’s Ukhrul district on Thursday, urging the Centre to intervene in the ongoing crisis and work towards a lasting political solution. The protesters strongly opposed any separate homeland or territorial administrative arrangement for the Kuki community, claiming that such a move could affect Naga ancestral territories.

The rally was organised by the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) and other Tangkhul frontal organisations under the aegis of the United Naga Council (UNC). Carrying banners and placards, a large number of protesters, mostly women, marched through Ukhrul town before submitting a memorandum addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi through the district Deputy Commissioner.

The memorandum, signed by leaders of five Tangkhul organisations on behalf of the Tangkhul Naga community, alleged that the ongoing Manipur crisis was rooted in what it described as illegal Kuki immigration and historical disparities between the hill and valley regions.

The organisations accused the Centre of failing to address these underlying issues and expressed concern over what they termed the unprecedented militarisation of Naga-inhabited areas. A major demand in the memorandum was the rejection of any separate homeland, administrative arrangement or territorial council for the Kukis that could, according to the organisations, compromise Naga ancestral land and political rights.

The Naga groups also demanded the abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki militant organisations and called for these outfits to be declared terrorist organisations. The memorandum further alleged that more than 32 Naga civilians had been killed since the outbreak of violence in Manipur. It referred to incidents of killings, abductions, arson and shootings in Naga-inhabited areas to highlight the community’s security concerns.

The organisations also raised allegations against the Assam Rifles, accusing the force of extending support to Kuki militant groups. They demanded its withdrawal from Naga-inhabited areas. Among other demands, the memorandum called for the relocation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Naga-inhabited areas and sought the removal of Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen from office.

On political representation, the organisations demanded restructuring of representation in the Manipur Legislative Assembly in accordance with constitutional provisions, stating that such an arrangement would be acceptable to the Naga community.

The memorandum also sought the cancellation of what it described as illegal Kuki chiefship and village settlement pattas and permits. It called for the removal of unauthorised settlements in accordance with the law and opposed the issuance of fresh land permits to people it alleged were illegal immigrants.

The rally took place a day after suspected armed militants opened fire on passenger vehicles along the Imphal-Ukhrul highway near TM Kasom, triggering fresh concerns over security in the hill districts. The latest mobilisation underscores the continuing tensions among communities in Manipur and the growing demand from Naga organisations for security guarantees, protection of ancestral land and clarity on the Centre’s approach to the crisis.

The allegations and demands contained in the memorandum represent the position of the organisations and have not been independently established.