Tamenglong, May 21, 2025, Virthli (ONP): The Rongmei Naga Council Manipur (RNCM) has issued a public appeal urging widespread support and participation in a rally scheduled for May 23, 2025, in Tamenglong. This rally, organized in response to a joint communiqué from multiple regional bodies including ZNCM, LNCXM, INU, ZWSAVC, BWSAVC, ZMWSAVC, VACC, and CSAT, is aimed at defending the indigenous rights of the Rongmei people and opposing external exploitation of local land and natural resources.
In an official press release dated May 21, RNCM emphasized that the call to action is a collective responsibility of every "right-thinking" Rongmei individual. The council voiced deep concern over ongoing attempts by external agencies and groups to exploit forest lands and resources without the free, prior, and informed consent of indigenous communities. RNCM denounced such acts as a direct threat to the inherent rights and traditional way of life of the Rongmei people.
The release underscored the communal ownership of land and the traditional village governance system, asserting that decisions must be made based on mutual consensus within the community. The imposition of the Forest Act and similar laws, according to the council, forcibly severs the community from its ancestral lands and natural habitats including forests, rivers, lakes, and mountains.
Citing controversial conservation projects such as the Makru Wildlife Sanctuary, Buning Wildlife Sanctuary, and Zeilad Wildlife Sanctuary, the RNCM alleged that these initiatives have been used as tools to dispossess indigenous tribes of their land and dignity. The council called the classification of these lands under forest reserves a "sinister design" by the Union Government, warning that it allows for the exploitation of natural resources with little regard for local tribal custodians.
RNCM also advocated for "Direct Community Assessment" and the involvement of indigenous communities in forest governance, aligning their stance with globally accepted norms for sustainable land and resource management.
The statement concluded with a fervent appeal to all members of the Rongmei community, including social media activists, to rally behind the cause and use every available platform to promote awareness and participation in the event. The council described the rally as a crucial moment to stand united in defense of the community’s rights, heritage, and future.
