Imphal: The Working Committee of the Tangkhul Naga Long (WCTNL) has criticised the Manipur government over what it described as the neglect of development needs in Naga-inhabited areas, while raising concerns over security, infrastructure and the rehabilitation of displaced people.
In a statement, the WCTNL alleged that the state administration under Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh has been more responsive to the concerns of the Kuki community while failing to adequately address longstanding demands from Naga civil society organisations.
The committee cited gaps in healthcare, education, road connectivity and other basic infrastructure in Tangkhul-inhabited areas.
The WCTNL, however, welcomed Chief Minister Khemchand’s recent statement in Kangpokpi that National Highways would be reopened to ensure free movement of people from all communities.
The Naga body said such assurances needed to be followed by concrete administrative measures, particularly on memoranda and representations submitted by Naga civil society groups.
Calling for an inclusive approach to restoring peace in Manipur, the WCTNL said lasting normalcy would require the government to address the concerns of all communities. It urged both the state and central governments to consider what it described as the accumulated grievances of the Naga community.
WCTNL’s 10-point charter
The committee outlined a 10-point set of demands covering security, land, displacement, immigration, armed groups and justice.
1. Withdrawal of security forces: The WCTNL called for an end to what it described as the militarisation of Naga-inhabited areas and sought the withdrawal of central armed and security forces from these regions.
2. Protection of Naga ancestral areas: It demanded assurances that no separate homeland or administrative arrangement for the Kuki community would be created within areas the committee considers traditional Naga territory.
3. Relocation of refugees: The WCTNL sought the identification of Kuki refugees currently staying in Manipur and their relocation outside the state.
4. Action against alleged illegal immigrants: The committee called for the identification and deportation of people it described as illegal Kuki immigrants to their countries of origin.
5. Relocation of IDPs: It demanded the relocation of internally displaced persons from what it termed vulnerable Naga-inhabited areas.
6. End of the SoO agreement: The WCTNL called for the termination of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki militant groups.
7. Action against alleged drug networks: The committee urged the government to prevent the use of Indian territory for illegal poppy cultivation and alleged drug-related activities.
8. Eviction of alleged illegal settlements: The WCTNL demanded the removal of settlements it described as unrecognised or illegal and called for the cancellation of allegedly unauthorised land permits, including Touzis and pattas.
9. Justice for Tangkhul victims: The committee sought an early investigation and legal action in connection with the fatal armed ambush near TM Kasom, close to Litan police station, in which two Tangkhul Nagas were killed.
10. Justice for Liangmai victims: It also demanded swift justice in the case involving the alleged abduction and subsequent killing of six Liangmai Nagas at Leilon Vaiphei village in Kangpokpi district.
The WCTNL said addressing the 10 demands was essential for reconciliation and lasting peace in Manipur. It warned that what it termed selective responses to community concerns could further widen divisions in the state.
The committee called for a transparent and balanced approach from both the Manipur and central governments, saying the concerns of Naga communities must form part of broader efforts to restore peace and normalcy.