Imphal: The Rongmei Naga Students’ Organisation Manipur (RNSOM) has strongly opposed the 24-hour total shutdown along the Imphal-Jiribam road in Kuki-dominated areas, scheduled to begin from Monday midnight onwards.
The shutdown was jointly called by various Kuki organizations, including the Kuki Inpi South West Sadar Hills, Kuki Students Organisation South West Sadar Hills, and Kuki Women Union Moltam Region, along National Highway 37.
In a statement, the student body clarified that there is no total shutdown along NH-37 in all Rongmei Naga territory, stretching from Jiribam to Imphal. They asserted that the entire stretch of land from Imphal to Jiribam is Rongmei Naga ancestral land, despite claims made by the Kukis, who are regarded as ‘new settlers’.
The RNSOM firmly stated that the total shutdown along NH-37 called by the Kuki organizations is unjustified, as the land belongs to the Rongmei Naga community. They warned that any untoward incident arising from the proposed shutdown would be attributed to the Kuki community.
Furthermore, the RNSOM emphasized that NH-37, a lifeline passing through the heart of Rongmei land, belongs to all communities living in and outside Manipur. They emphasized that NH-37 cannot be used as a platform for terrorism by any organization or individual, both now and in the future.
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The student body also condemned the indiscriminate attack by Kuki militants on state police and a team of the chief minister’s Special Protection Group (SPG) along the highway. They expressed concern that such attacks could exacerbate tensions and lead to further crises, inviting communities to join the conflict.
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