IMPHAL, March 29: The Liangmai Naga Council, Manipur (LNC-M), has firmly declared its stance against the Government of People’s Republic of Nagalim (GPRN) over a long-standing dispute regarding ancestral land. The council reaffirmed that Maremei is a Liangmai village with well-established traditional boundaries that have been respected for generations.
In a statement, the Liangmai Naga Council emphasized that, according to Liangmai customary law, land ownership is communal. No individual has the authority to sell land or sign agreements such as a Compromise Deed or Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) without the consent of the village. The council alleged that the GPRN Secretariat Kilo Affairs issued multiple orders in October 2024, November 2024, and March 2025, which they claimed were attempts to undermine the existence of Maremei village in the Tahamzam (Senapati) area.
The council also accused R.K. Remping, an individual identified as a collaborator with Lengkhomang Chongloi, the Chief of Kuki Taphou, of unlawfully signing a Compromise Deed and an MoA on 21st May 2022, without consulting the Maremei Village Authority. This action, the council argued, violated traditional Liangmai practices and caused significant unrest.
Tensions escalated when, on 10th January 2025, 11 houses belonging to Maremei villagers in Senapati District were allegedly vandalized. Two days later, cadres of the NSCN-IM (Maram-Thangal Region) reportedly attacked in collaboration with R.K. Remping and his grandsons, R.K. Roland and R.K. Roshan. The attack included allegations of sexual harassment involving six women from the village.
In response to these incidents, the Liangmai Naga Council passed a resolution during its annual assembly, citing a growing sense of subjugation and distrust by the NSCN-IM/GPRN towards the Liangmai community. As a result, the council decided to impose a ‘No Tax Payment Stance’ against the GPRN/NSCN-IM in Manipur, starting from 25th March 2025, at Ariang Khunkhu Village in Kangpokpi District. The tax boycott will remain in effect until the Kilo Ministry withdraws what the Liangmai Naga Council termed as arbitrary and biased orders against the Liangmai community.
The Liangmai Naga Council also accused the GPRN of failing to protect Liangmai ancestral land and instead supporting external elements, particularly the Kukis, in encroaching upon Liangmai territory. The council stressed its unwavering commitment to defending the land, identity, and dignity of the Liangmai people against any form of suppression or external intrusion.
