KANGPOKPI, July 19: The Eastern Liangmai Naga Chief Chairman Association (ELNCCA) has come out strongly in support of the Foothills Naga Co-Ordination Committee (FNCC), backing its recent demands concerning Indigenous Naga rights and territorial integrity.

In a press statement issued Friday, the association expressed deep concern over what it described as deliberate and unauthorized alterations to place names, as well as the growing threat of land encroachment in Naga ancestral territories.

According to the ELNCCA, the efforts to rename roads and alter traditional nomenclature within Naga-inhabited regions are being carried out without public consultation or the consent of Indigenous communities. The association accused certain Kuki elements, allegedly with the support of some government agencies, of pushing these changes as part of a broader territorial agenda. These acts, the association said, undermine the historical and cultural identity of the Naga people.

Drawing from historical narratives, the ELNCCA reminded that the Kuki communities were initially granted refuge by Naga ancestors fleeing from conflict in Burma. However, what was meant to be an act of humanitarian compassion has, according to the ELNCCA, evolved into an ongoing pattern of land encroachment and betrayal. The association described this as a form of aggression that threatens not only land ownership but the cultural survival of the Indigenous population.

In its statement, the ELNCCA criticized the continued presence and proposed expansion of Suspension of Operation (SoO) camps and alleged militant training centres within Naga territories, particularly along the proposed Haflong-Imphal highway corridor. The association argued that these camps are perceived by local communities as strategic tools to establish control and instigate future conflict.

The ELNCCA also condemned provocative remarks and actions from certain emerging Kuki organizations, such as the Young Kuki and the World Kuki-Zo Intellectual Council (WKZIC), saying these statements could escalate tensions and destabilize fragile peace in the region. It recalled previous instances where such provocations led to unrest, often followed by inadequate reconciliatory gestures in the form of livestock or financial compensation.

While reiterating their commitment to peace and Christian values, the ELNCCA issued a firm warning that it would no longer tolerate any further compromise on issues concerning land, identity, or dignity. The association urged all stakeholders to act with responsibility, cautioning that attempts to manipulate peace processes or expand territorial claims will be firmly resisted.

The press statement concludes with a prayerful appeal for wisdom, peace, and justice, even as the community braces for what it views as a critical moment in safeguarding its ancestral rights.