Imphal: The Liangmai Naga community has strongly denounced what it calls an “arbitrary and unilateral action” by a group identifying itself as the Sadar Hill Chief Association. The association reportedly summoned Gorkha village leaders from Irang Part 1 and Part 2, a move the Liangmai deem a serious breach of traditional customs and authority.
In a formal statement, Liangmai representatives voiced deep concern, asserting that the act directly insults the dignity and self-governance of Naga tribes, especially the Liangmai people. They stressed that Gorkha (Nepali) families were settled in Irang Part 1 and 2 decades ago by the Liangmai themselves, living peacefully on land within the ancestral jurisdiction of the Liangmai Naga, stretching from Kangpokpi town to Tamei Subdivision along the Imphal-Tamei Road.
“This relationship between the Liangmai and the Nepali communities is rooted in decades of peaceful coexistence, trust, and mutual respect,” the statement read. “Any engagement with our tenants must be preceded by prior consultation with us.” The Liangmai leaders vehemently objected to the summoning of Gorkha village heads without their knowledge or consent, calling it an infringement on their customary rights and a potential trigger for unnecessary tension.
In what they termed a “measured yet firm counsel,” the Liangmai Naga community urged the Sadar Hill Chief Association to immediately stop further provocations. They warned that continued overreach could damage long-standing inter-community harmony and destabilise the region’s delicate social fabric.
Reaffirming their commitment to peace and unity, the Liangmai people appealed to all communities to uphold principles of dialogue and respect, reminding everyone of the peaceful legacy that has long defined the region. “We remain committed to peaceful coexistence and the spirit of brotherhood with our Nepali brethren,” the statement concluded. “But we will resolutely safeguard our ancestral land, our traditions, and the sanctity of our customary governance.”
Read More: Miracle in Agartala: Seven-Month-Old Beats Critical Kidney Failure