New Delhi: In a show of solidarity with Meitei groups amid escalating tensions between Nagas and Kukis in Manipur, the United Naga Council (UNC) Tuesday endorsed the Mega Rally called by Meitei civil society group in Imphal on 31 October to press for the abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement and the removal of Assam Rifles from the state.
Although Naga and Meitei groups have come together on several occasions in the past, this is the first time the UNC has explicitly endorsed and called for public mobilisation in support of a the rally—orgainsed by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity—over the SoO agreement and the security situation in the state.
“We have had common interests in supporting the mobilisation, but here we are coming out together to make a statement,” a United Naga Council spokesperson told ThePrint. “This mobilisation is being done now, because the whole issue at the end of the day is the safety and security of the people of Manipur. This is the need of the hour. The government of India needs to hear the voice of the people; and it is a necessity.”
SoO is a tripartite ceasefire agreement signed in 2008 between the Centre, the Manipur government and Kuki-Zomi insurgent groups. Under the pact, insurgent groups agreed to suspend armed operations and follow agreed ground rules, while security forces agree not to launch operations against groups covered by the agreement.
The rally has been announced with demands including the abrogation of the SoO pact, an end to the alleged proxy war in Manipur, and the removal of Assam Rifles from the state, particularly from border areas, replacing it with other central forces such as the Border Security Force (BSF).
In a statement, the United Naga Council said, “We have been witnessing the deteriorating security situation, the continuous reign of terror unleashed by Kuki militant groups operating under the protection of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) pact, and the grave existential threat looming over the indigenous communities of the State and general public.”
The council also questioned the role of Assam Rifles, particularly in border and conflict-affected areas.
“Instead of securing the Indo-Myanmar border and protecting indigenous villages, it (the Assam Rifles) has been perceived as partisan, mute spectators to aggression and a barrier to effective action by other security forces,” it said.
Despite these allegations surfacing repeatedly, the Assam Rifles have consistently denied them.
The Nagas had largely remained distant from the conflict between Meiteis and Kukis that broke out in May 2023 and, in some regions, had even acted as mediators for peace. However, they were drawn into tensions with Kukis from February this year. Since then, there have been at least 17 instances of violence between Nagas and Kukis, resulting in close to a dozen deaths on either side. Houses belonging to both communities have also been vandalised and torched.
The Nagas, who constitute approximately 24 percent of Manipur’s population and are concentrated largely in the hill districts of Ukhrul, Senapati, Chandel, Tengnoupal and Tamenglong, had mostly stayed away from the Meitei-Kuki conflict since May 2023.
The statement further called upon the Naga People’s Union, Imphal, other Naga frontal organisations and churches to mobilise and ensure maximum Naga public participation in the Mega Rally in Imphal.
The council also directed district apex bodies, tribe Hohos and district frontal organisations to ensure the effective organisation of sit-in protests and solidarity rallies at their respective district headquarters.
“The UNC appeals to all concerned Naga Tribe Hohos, Frontal Organizations, village authorities, Churches, women, youth and students to come out in large numbers and participate to the Mega Rally in Imphal and in their respective Headquarters to show our collective resolve against terror and to protect our ancestral land and identity,” it said.
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)
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