The Liangmai Naga Council (LNC) has condemned the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) for its recent statement regarding Chief Minister N. Biren Singh’s visit to Senapati district for the Liangmai Chaga Ngee celebrations on October 30. The LNC criticized CoTU’s claims of the visit being “provocative” and its characterization of certain areas as “Kuki-majority,” asserting that these are ancestral lands of the Liangmai people.
The LNC accused CoTU of attempting to disrupt peaceful celebrations and warned that such actions could exacerbate tensions between Kukis and Meiteis, potentially involving neutral Naga communities. They emphasized that the Chief Minister’s presence is a gesture of unity and reconciliation, crucial for healing divisions in the region. The LNC pledged to ensure the safety of the Chief Minister during the celebrations and condemned any threats as violations of their customs and an affront to their hospitality. They also expressed concern over the marginalization of Liangmai and Naga populations amid increasing illegal immigration and the proliferation of Kuki settlements.
