Naga groups demand Assam Rifles exit and permanent Manipur solution
Demonstrations in Ukhrul and Kamjong districts called for a political settlement to address historical inequalities and illegal immigration.
Thousands of people held rallies in Manipur's Naga-majority Ukhrul and Kamjong districts on Thursday, calling for the central government to provide a permanent resolution to the state's crisis, according to The Telegraph India.
The Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), the apex body of the Tangkhul community, and allied groups under the United Naga Council (UNC) organised the demonstrations.
Participants carried banners demanding the removal of the Assam Rifles and an end to what they called a proxy war in the state.
A three-page memorandum was sent to Prime Minister Narendra Modi via the Ukhrul district administration, seeking a political settlement regarding structural inequalities and illegal immigration.
The TNL and four other Tangkhul organisations alleged that violence involving Meiteis and Kuki-Zos, which started on May 3, 2023, reached Naga areas after an alleged assault on a Naga civilian on February 7.
The memorandum further claimed that armed Kuki militants, including members of groups under the suspension of operations (SoO) agreement, were responsible for killings and arson, and that over 32 Nagas had been killed.