Naga groups hold massive rally in Ukhrul, demand political solution to Manipur crisis, removal of Assam Rifles

Naga organisations staged a massive rally in Manipur’s Ukhrul district on Thursday, November 5, demanding that the Centre resolve the ongoing political crisis in the state, end what they described as a proxy war against the Naga community and withdraw Assam Rifles from Naga-inhabited areas.

The rally was organised by the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) and Tangkhul Frontal Organisation under the aegis of the United Naga Council (UNC). Protesters from different parts of Ukhrul district gathered at two locations — Dungrei Junction and Mission Ground — before marching towards the Ukhrul Headquarters Ground, where a public meeting was held.

The protest disrupted normal life in the district, with shops, private institutions and public transport remaining shut during the rally. Participants carried placards raising concerns over militarisation, the ongoing ethnic conflict and the presence of armed groups in the state.

Among the slogans displayed were demands to remove Assam Rifles from Naga areas, stop the alleged arming of Kuki militants, abrogate the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement and declare Kuki militant organisations as terrorist groups. Protesters also demanded the repatriation of Kuki refugees and the deportation of what they described as illegal Kuki immigrants. Some placards called for the removal of Nemcha Kipgen from the post of Deputy Chief Minister.

Addressing the gathering, Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS) president Ramreichan Keishing said the rally was centred on three primary demands: a political resolution to the Manipur crisis, an end to the alleged proxy war and the removal of Assam Rifles from Naga-inhabited areas.

Keishing alleged that Kuki groups operating under the SoO agreement, with the protection of the Government of India, were engaged in hostilities against the Naga community. He described the situation as a proxy war and urged the Centre to intervene.

He also accused Assam Rifles of acting in a biased manner despite being deployed for security purposes, alleging that the force had failed to maintain neutrality amid the conflict.

"If Assam Rifles are not for the security of the Nagas, then there is no point in keeping them," Keishing said, adding that the organisations would continue their agitation until their demands were addressed.

A college student participating in the rally also spoke about the impact of the prolonged conflict on students and their academic and career prospects. The student urged the government to take immediate steps to address the situation and restore normalcy.

A similar protest was also held in neighbouring Kamjong district.

Memorandum seeks permanent political solution

Following the rally, a memorandum addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah was submitted through the district commissioner.

The memorandum urged the Centre to recognise the Manipur crisis as a historical problem, which it attributed to alleged illegal Kuki immigration and disparities between the hill and valley regions. It called for a permanent political solution by addressing what it described as existing structural imbalances.

Highlighting the impact of the ongoing conflict on the Naga community, the memorandum claimed that 32 Naga civilians had been killed in violent incidents since the crisis began.

It also raised concerns over demographic changes in the hill areas, claiming that the number of Kuki villages in Manipur had increased from around 73, as recorded in the 1881 census, to 1,878 at present.

"Conflict is not new to Manipur due to historical demographic distortions caused by skewed Kuki refugee/immigration policy and the influx of illegal Kuki immigrants from neighbouring Burma," the memorandum alleged.

The document outlined a 10-point charter of demands, including a political settlement to the ongoing crisis, an end to alleged hostilities against the Naga community and the withdrawal of Assam Rifles from Naga-inhabited areas.