Manipur Naga councils declare non-cooperation with ZUF-J after attack on Naga Village Guard
Joint Tribes Council Manipur and councils of four Naga tribes announced a non-cooperation movement after an attack on the Naga Village Guard at Bitiang village,
The Joint Tribes Council Manipur (JTCM) and the councils of four Naga tribes—Inpui, Liangmai, Rongmei and Zeme—have declared a non-cooperation movement against the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF-J). The decision was taken after what the councils called an “anti-brotherhood action” involving an attack on the Naga Village Guard (NVG) at Bitiang village in Noney district.
Emergency meeting and decision
An emergency meeting of the tribes’ communities was held by the JTCM Working Committee on Thursday. In a statement, the council said the four communities have previously supported the ZUF-J and made repeated appeals to armed groups and villages to avoid actions that could trigger conflict and break unity.
The JTCM said the NVG came under attack on Wednesday at around 7:20 am in Bitiang village. The council described the NVG as a force carrying out protection work for the ancestral territories of the Inpui, Liangmai, Rongmei and Zeme communities.
Non-cooperation and strict enforcement
After deliberations, the JTCM said the house unanimously resolved that the ZUF-J will receive non-cooperation from the four tribes’ communities. The statement framed the move as a response to what it called aggression against the security and sovereignty of the tribes.
The councils also alleged that the ZUF-J has been operating with support from outside forces, and it mentioned the presence of Kuki forces in its claims. The statement further alleged that the ZUF-J was involved in serious harm against Naga civilians, including mention of mutilation.
The JTCM said the resolution would be implemented immediately and communicated to relevant stakeholders. It added that any intimidation toward individuals, leaders, organisations or villages would be met with zero tolerance by members of the four tribes acting in concert, and it said no further warnings would be issued in cases within their territorial jurisdictions. The councils also said they would continue cooperation with groups from Naga communities that take steps to safeguard territorial integrity and protect their people.
