Naga Students’ Union Delhi (NSUD), joined by tribal leaders, students, scholars, civil society organisations and concerned citizens, organised a one-day peaceful solidarity protest at Jantar Mantar on Friday, raising strong concern over the escalating violence against Naga communities in Manipur and demanding urgent intervention from the Government of India.
The protest, held under the theme of justice, security and protection of indigenous Naga people, witnessed participation from several apex Naga organisations and rights groups. According to the NSUD, the gathering was organised in response to what it termed as “systematic aggression” against Naga civilians in Ukhrul, Kamjong, Senapati and surrounding districts of Manipur since the outbreak of the ongoing ethnic crisis on May 3, 2023.
In its press release issued on May 9, the NSUD alleged that illegal Kuki armed militants have carried out repeated attacks on Naga villages and civilians while accusing the Government of Manipur and certain security agencies of failing to protect indigenous communities. The organisation stated that despite maintaining “principled neutrality” throughout the conflict, the Naga people have repeatedly faced violence and intimidation.
The union highlighted several incidents, including the killing of two Naga civilians near TM Kasom on April 18, 2026, and the alleged cross-border attacks carried out on May 7 on Wanglee, Namlee and Z. Choro villages by armed militants. The NSUD also referred to incidents of arson, sniper attacks, attacks on village leadership and alleged encroachment into ancestral Naga lands.
Addressing the gathering, the NSUD President said the protest was not merely a student demonstration but a “civilisational cry from the Naga soil,” asserting that the violence in Naga areas was not random but part of a deliberate pattern of targeted aggression. The organisation demanded immediate scrapping of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki militant groups, deployment of impartial central forces in vulnerable Naga villages and conclusion of the Indo-Naga political talks with an honourable settlement.
Representatives from Global Naga Forum, All Naga Students’ Association Manipur, Naga Scholars Association, Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights and other organisations also addressed the rally, presenting historical, political and human rights perspectives on the ongoing conflict.
The Global Naga Forum alleged that National Highway-202, considered the lifeline of Ukhrul and Kamjong districts, has repeatedly faced disruptions despite the presence of security forces. The forum questioned how armed groups were able to dominate sections of the highway despite heavy deployment of central and state forces.
Meanwhile, All Naga Students’ Association Manipur presented a detailed timeline of attacks on Naga civilians and villages between 2023 and 2026, including incidents in Konshakhul, Leimakhong, Keilungwiram, Sankhai and PM Kasong. The organisation urged the Government of India to intervene sincerely and ensure a peaceful solution based on historical realities.
The Naga Scholars Association stressed that Naga identity and ancestral land are inseparable, while calling upon all communities to pursue peace and coexistence with sincerity. The organisation also appealed to the Government of India not to ignore the grievances of indigenous communities in the Northeast.
In one of the strongest speeches of the rally, representatives of the Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights criticised decades of violence and alleged human rights violations in Naga areas, questioning the continued silence and inaction of authorities.
The protest concluded with a unified set of demands, including immediate revocation of the SoO agreement, deployment of impartial central security forces in vulnerable Naga villages, protection of National Highway-202, investigation into alleged collusion between security personnel and militant groups, condemnation of cross-border militant attacks and an early conclusion of the Indo-Naga Framework Agreement signed on August 3, 2015.
The NSUD stated that the Naga people seek peace, dignity and security in their ancestral homeland and reiterated that silence in the face of violence cannot continue. The protest ended peacefully with participants calling for unity among Naga communities and justice for all affected civilians.
