Naga groups hold rallies in Manipur hill districts, demand SoO abrogation, Assam Rifles’ withdrawal

Public rallies were held at the headquarters of several Naga-inhabited hill districts of Manipur on October 31, with protesters demanding the immediate abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki militant groups, the withdrawal of Assam Rifles from the region and the resignation of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen.

The rallies were organised under the aegis of the United Naga Council (UNC), in support of a mega rally called by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) in Imphal. Several Naga civil society organisations, including the Joint Tribe Council Manipur (JTC-M), Naga Humanitarian Aids Committee Manipur (NHACM), Foothill Naga Co-ordination Committee (FNCC), Naga Peoples’ Union (NPU), Imphal, and Inpui Naga Union, also backed the demonstrations.

Rallies were held at Traffic Point in Senapati district headquarters, as well as at the district headquarters of Chandel and Tamenglong, among other places.

Addressing protesters at Traffic Point in Senapati, UNC president NG Lorho said Nagas across the hill districts had united to protect their ancestral land amid the ongoing conflict in Manipur.

“We are the owners and guardians of our land from time immemorial,” he said, asserting that the community would not give up its ancestral rights.

Alleging cross-border involvement of the Kuki National Army-Burma (KNA-B), Lorho described the situation as a threat to India's national security and the indigenous communities of Manipur.

He also accused Assam Rifles of acting in a partisan manner in Naga areas, alleging harassment, intimidation and the disarming of village volunteers. Claiming that the force had lost public confidence, he demanded its withdrawal from border areas and conflict zones and called for the deployment of neutral forces.

On the SoO agreement, Lorho alleged that its continued operation had become a threat to indigenous communities, claiming that Kuki militant groups were using the arrangement to attack Naga villages, displace civilians and occupy ancestral land.

He also questioned the functioning of SoO-designated camps, claiming that only one cadre was present at the Mount Sinai camp, against the 150 reportedly required to be stationed there under the ground rules.

“The Suspension of Operation Agreement has become a licence to kill innocent indigenous people,” he said.

Referring to the abduction and killing of six Naga men in Leilon Vaiphei village in Kangpokpi district, Lorho alleged the involvement of the Kuki National Front-President (KNF-P), which he said was headed by Thangboi Kipgen, the husband of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen.

Questioning her continuation in office, he said, “How can a lawmaker and a lawbreaker live together?” and demanded her immediate removal as deputy chief minister.

The UNC also submitted a memorandum addressed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah through the Senapati Deputy Commissioner during the rally.