Liangmais say no to SoO camps in Naga areas
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By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jul 18 : The Eastern Liangmai Naga Chief/Chairman Association (ELNCCA) has urged the Government of India to dismantle all camps of Kuki militant groups under the Suspension of Operation (SoO) pact and their training centers set up on indigenous Naga ancestral land and stop renaming roads or landmarks within Naga territories.
ELNCCA, in a statement, further urged the Government to stop all plans to establish new SoO camps in the peripheries of Naga foothill villages, particularly nearly the proposed Haflong-Imphal road.
The Liangmai Naga group said that they endorsed the three legitimate and rightful demands raised by the Foothills Naga Coordination Committee (FNCC) which echo the collective concerns and aspirations of the indigenous Naga communities.
Notably, FNCC had on July 15 announced an indefinite road blockade and general strike across the foothill region of Naga-inhabited areas starting from midnight of July 18, 2025, in protest against continued presence of illegal immigrants and 'Kuki refugees' in Naga ancestral lands.
FNCC had said that the decision to launch the protest was taken in response to "serious concerns" that have remained unaddressed, in- cluding renaming of roads, territorial encroachment, and the presence of SoO camps near Naga areas.
It is deeply alarming to witness the ongoing attempts to rename roads in indigenous Naga ancestral territories, the Association said and added that these actions, believed to be driven by concealed agendas and manipulations involving certain Kuki elements and Government agencies, are not only inappropriate but stand in direct violation of the historical, cultural, and territorial rights of the Naga people.
Saying that such unilateral moves, executed without public consultation, must be condemned and reversed, it added that Naga forefathers, guided by Christian values and humanitarian compassion, provided refuge to Kuki communities fleeing Burma, allowing them to settle temporarily on Naga land.
However, this goodwill has been misused over the years, it said and maintained that official records and historical accounts clearly show a continuing pattern of land encroachment by Kuki groups into indigenous Naga territories - an act that they view as a betrayal of trust and a form of territorial aggression.
These actions are unacceptable and shall not be compromised any further, ELNCCA asserted.
The Liangmai Naga group also appealed to lesser known Kuki organisations-Young Kuki, World Kuki -Zo Intellectual Council etc to refrain from making provocative statements.
The Liangmai people have demonstrated patience and forgiveness, it said and added that a line, however, must be drawn as 'there shall be no compromise regarding our land, identity or dignity'.
It further stated that any attempts to manipulate, distort, or expand territorial claims under the guise of peace will not be tolerated.
IMPHAL, Jul 18 : The Eastern Liangmai Naga Chief/Chairman Association (ELNCCA) has urged the Government of India to dismantle all camps of Kuki militant groups under the Suspension of Operation (SoO) pact and their training centers set up on indigenous Naga ancestral land and stop renaming roads or landmarks within Naga territories.
ELNCCA, in a statement, further urged the Government to stop all plans to establish new SoO camps in the peripheries of Naga foothill villages, particularly nearly the proposed Haflong-Imphal road.
The Liangmai Naga group said that they endorsed the three legitimate and rightful demands raised by the Foothills Naga Coordination Committee (FNCC) which echo the collective concerns and aspirations of the indigenous Naga communities.
Notably, FNCC had on July 15 announced an indefinite road blockade and general strike across the foothill region of Naga-inhabited areas starting from midnight of July 18, 2025, in protest against continued presence of illegal immigrants and 'Kuki refugees' in Naga ancestral lands.
FNCC had said that the decision to launch the protest was taken in response to "serious concerns" that have remained unaddressed, in- cluding renaming of roads, territorial encroachment, and the presence of SoO camps near Naga areas.
It is deeply alarming to witness the ongoing attempts to rename roads in indigenous Naga ancestral territories, the Association said and added that these actions, believed to be driven by concealed agendas and manipulations involving certain Kuki elements and Government agencies, are not only inappropriate but stand in direct violation of the historical, cultural, and territorial rights of the Naga people.
Saying that such unilateral moves, executed without public consultation, must be condemned and reversed, it added that Naga forefathers, guided by Christian values and humanitarian compassion, provided refuge to Kuki communities fleeing Burma, allowing them to settle temporarily on Naga land.
However, this goodwill has been misused over the years, it said and maintained that official records and historical accounts clearly show a continuing pattern of land encroachment by Kuki groups into indigenous Naga territories - an act that they view as a betrayal of trust and a form of territorial aggression.
These actions are unacceptable and shall not be compromised any further, ELNCCA asserted.
The Liangmai Naga group also appealed to lesser known Kuki organisations-Young Kuki, World Kuki -Zo Intellectual Council etc to refrain from making provocative statements.
The Liangmai people have demonstrated patience and forgiveness, it said and added that a line, however, must be drawn as 'there shall be no compromise regarding our land, identity or dignity'.
It further stated that any attempts to manipulate, distort, or expand territorial claims under the guise of peace will not be tolerated.