Imphal: If you were to Google Manipur violence, you will find thousands of articles, reports, and analyses that almost exclusively focus on the two warring communities: the Meiteis and the Kukis. However, any violence that goes on for this long and damages a state this bad is likely to hurt everyone in the state. The state of Manipur is home to around 30 ethnic populations, including the three major communities: Nagas, Meiteis and Kuki-Chin, which account for much of the state’s population. Over the decades, the state has witnessed several conflicts among the ethnic communities for several reasons, including ownership of land and complex indigeneity.
The recent violent clashes between the two major communities, Meitei and Kuki-Zo, which rocked the state since May 3, 2023, have affected not only the two warring groups but all communities residing in Manipur.
Nagas are considered one of the original inhabitants of Manipur, especially in the hills. Though the Naga tribe was not directly involved in the ongoing ethnic clashes and decided on a ‘position of neutrality’, the Nagas have faced violence, intimidation, deaths and several other ‘collateral damages and atrocities’ in the conflict.
Last year, the United Naga Council, an apex organisation of Nagas in Manipur, issued a list of atrocities committed on Nagas by members of the two warring communities and asked the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities to keep the Nagas out of their conflict. The UNC stated that common admission of mistaken identity has been cited in all these acts of violence, intimidation, disrespect, and insult.
“In the interest of peace despite the extreme provocations, Nagas have addressed the many sensitive situations and sought to resolve them through customary laws and practices. Yet time and again, our people have been attacked with impunity, making a mockery of the many agreements and resolutions for restoration of peace and good relations,” the UNC said.
Talking to EastMojo, Vareiyo Shatsang, UNC general secretary, said the historicity of the Naga movement should not be compared to that of the Meiteis and Kukis at any cost. “Although we stand as neutral, we have been badly impacted economically, socially, and politically, apart from property-related losses. However, the Government of India and the Government of Manipur at the helm of affairs haven’t been sincere enough to address the issue at hand, and thus, we feel neglected,” he added.
“Political factors such as the need to maintain an alliance with certain ethnic groups to crush the Naga movement, manage coalition with certain groups and appeasement policy to few constituencies might have influenced the decision-making processes of the GoM and the GoI,” said the UNC leader.
Echoing the sentiment, a Naga legislator who refused to be named said the ongoing violence has impacted Nagas economically. “The Naga narrative has been hijacked, and few people talk about the Naga political issue now,” he added.
According to Rd David Boyes, vice-president of the Naga Hoho, most media houses, while addressing the economic, social, emotional and psychological sufferings attributed to the conflict of Manipur had sided with the parties involved and neglected the collateral damages completely.
“The entire state machinery has collapsed and the functioning of departments went paralytic. Sympathizers focused on providing support to either side (Meitei and Kukis), and the Nagas and others were completely ignored,” said Boyes.
The Naga leader from Chandel district also alleged that the ongoing conflict is part of Centre’s plan to put in place the ‘Anti-Insurgency’ strategies in the troubled water. “How can Chief Minister N Biren Singh continue to remain in the seat if it is not supported by the Center? So, it is simply too obvious,” he asked.
Role of Nagas in restoring peace in torn-strife Manipur:
The outbreak of an ethnic conflict between the two major groups, Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, in Manipur on May 3, 2023, had extremely important ramifications. Despite making up about 20 per cent of the state’s population, the Nagas made their stand clear, ‘to remain neutral’ and not be involved in the conflict.
During his recent visit to Senapati, a Naga-dominated hill district, Chief Minister N Biren Singh sought the support of the Church and leaders of the Naga community to take a greater role in overcoming the ongoing crisis in the state.
“I want to appeal to the Naga communities that a third party is required to resolve the current issues and restore peace. For this, church and community leaders need to take responsibilities and initiatives,” said the Chief Minister during a programme at Maram.
“Whatever happened has happened. As I said during my New Year’s message, it’s time to forget and forgive. We must jointly walk on the path of peace and bring back the former Manipur. We need to work together to resolve this crisis,” he added.
According to Shatsang, the UNC Peace Committee was formed to restore peace and normalcy in the state; however, the civil society organisations of both the warring communities weren’t forthcoming for a peaceful settlement.
“Since it was as good as flogging a dead horse, the Peace Committee was disbanded,” said Shatsang.
What happens to the Naga political issue now?
Expressing concern over the delayed settlement of the Naga political issue, Shatsang said the biggest issue arising out of this violence is the deviation of the Naga issue, negligence of the Framework Agreement which is the ‘Magna Carta’ for all ethnic communities living within the domains of the Nagas as well as our neighbours.
“Unfortunately, the state government was never sincere and serious about bringing genuine peace because there could not be peace without justice. The efforts, if any, were mere tokenism,” added one of the Naga legislators.
However, the Naga MLA lauded the Chief Minister for expressing his deep regret for the turmoil in the state and expressed hope that the ‘apology’ sincerely comes from his heart.
Meanwhile, the Naga Hoho leader David Boyes feels that the entire episode (conflict) is targeted at reducing the influence of the Naga Nationalism: why would the Center want the Nagas to mediate?
“The Naga movement has been secretly hacked by arming both the groups to the conflict. Imagine: both parties have been against the Nagas so far. But the Nagas have withstood them with our superior training and possession of weapons. Today, with this conflict, both parties are well-armed, trained and organized. In the long run, these two groups can be used to fight against the Nagas,” he asserted.
The Naga leader further stated that the insurgency counter strategies have been planted. “The Centre can take a nap now watching us reduce the Nagas to engage in the communal game than from National aspirations,” he said.
“The Framework Agreement 2015 has been plugged. At this juncture, Nagas need a renewal movement with fresh thinking. However, disunity within the Naga community is weakening us. Trust deficit among the leadership is gripping us with no options if we restrict ourselves to thinking with the current approach,” lamented David Boyes.
We have not forgotten the Framework Agreement
While the Centre is working hard to restore peace in the ethnic conflict state of Manipur, the Nagas have been pressing the Government of India to expedite the Naga Peace talks based on the Framework Agreement 2015.
The Center’s move to fence the Indo-Myanmar border and withdrawal of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) has given yet another challenge for the tribals, especially the Nagas as many families and relatives are also residing across the border in Myanmar.
The Nagas have collectively voiced against the Center’s move to fence the border in Naga areas and resolved to stand united and determined to resist any attempts to fence the border in Naga’s homeland.
On January 27, 2025, the United Naga Council (UNC) reiterated its opposition to the border fencing along the Indo-Myanmar border.
In its latest statement, UNC president NG Lorho directed all its units and subordinate organisations to initiate stringent steps to prevent the border fencing activities at their respective jurisdiction in unison without fear and favour.
“No activities relating to the purported construction of border fencing along the imaginary artificial India-Mayanmar border would be allowed in the Naga ancestral homeland. Esteemed units and subordinate bodies of the Council of the impacted areas are requested to initiate stringent steps to prevent the fencing activities at their respective jurisdiction in unison without fear and favour,” the UNC president stated.
It added that the Naga population in Manipur is called to remain steadfast to “fight against such sinister design of the colonial power to alienate the Nagas from their lands by the sinister move of the government — constructing walls and fencing along the “imaginary” India-Myanmar border.
According to UNC vice-president Shatsang, the Government of India is indifferent to the Naga people’s concerns; particularly the Framework Agreement is a complex issue with multiple factors at play.
Shatsang said that the cautious approach regarding FMR could alienate or bifurcate the Nagas and keep them divided as well as weaken the Naga’s movement for self-determination.
“Only God knows the end time for signing a pact honourable to the Nagas. God will turn the table and make a way we never know,” said Shatsang, underscoring the importance of having faith in the Creator.
FMR removal is one of the strategies the Center planned and made the Meiteis demand, purely targeting the Nagas. The Union Home Minister has already declared that the construction of the fence will be only in the Naga areas. So, it is too clear. And the Nagas are fractured already in Nagaland, added David Boyes.
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