The United Naga Council (UNC) has issued a strong rejoinder to the recent statement of the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) on the creation of seven new districts and the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki militant groups, saying the public must understand the matter in its “right perspective.”
In the rejoinder issued by UNC Information & Publicity Secretary H. James Hau, the Council said it had “nothing to do with political mudslinging between parties,” but expressed deep concern over what it described as “inflammatory statements” made by Congress spokespersons Dr. Loken and Dr. Ratan Kumar. The UNC alleged that their remarks justified policies that had seriously affected the Nagas and Manipur as a whole.
Referring to the creation of seven new districts on December 8, 2016, during the Congress regime, the UNC said the decision was taken by bifurcating parent districts without the informed consent and knowledge of the stakeholders. It said the move dishonoured four memoranda between the Government of Manipur and the Naga people, as well as the 2011 assurance of the Government of India that no decision would be taken without consulting all sections of the people and stakeholders, including Naga bodies.
The Council stated that the 139-day economic blockade was launched only as a last resort after all constitutional means had failed. It alleged that instead of addressing the grievances of affected indigenous communities, the then Congress government ignored their voices.
The UNC further pointed out that after the BJP-led government came to power in Manipur, tripartite talks involving the Government of India, Government of Manipur and UNC began in 2017 at the invitation of the Union Home Ministry. According to the rejoinder, 13 rounds of tripartite talks have taken place so far, with the last round held on January 30, 2025. The Council said the Manipur government had assured that a concrete proposal would be placed in the next round, which was expected around April 2025.
The UNC said the issue of district rollback remains pending and “cannot be treated as a closed chapter,” especially after the state government was placed under suspended animation.
On the SoO agreement, the UNC said the pact signed in 2008 with Kuki militant groups during the Congress regime had given legitimacy and safe havens to armed groups without a time-bound roadmap for resolution. It described the pact as having serious consequences for the present situation in Manipur.
The Council also questioned why SoO camps were placed around the Imphal Valley and in the foothills of strategic Naga areas, saying such positioning had direct implications for the security of the capital and indigenous lands.
The UNC said the Congress spokespersons’ defence of the SoO pact went against the will of indigenous communities in the state, who, it said, have repeatedly demanded its abrogation to restore peace.
Calling the district creation and SoO agreement “political misadventures,” the UNC urged the Congress party to realise the consequences of these decisions and work towards correcting them. It alleged that the policies had benefited one community while putting the welfare and security of indigenous people at stake.
The Council reiterated that it has already apprised the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, of its position. It demanded that the pending tripartite talks be resumed in good faith and that the SoO agreement, which it said has outlived its purpose, be abrogated without delay.
The UNC also appealed to all stakeholders to refrain from political mudslinging and avoid rhetoric that could further inflame the already fragile situation in Manipur. It called for collective efforts to ensure security, check external aggression and bring lasting peace to the state.
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