Ashinpou Gangmei Calls for Unity Among Indigenous Groups Amid Manipur Conflict

Imphal: Social worker Ashinpou Gangmei recently addressed the ongoing ethnic tensions in Manipur, calling for closer cooperation between the Naga and Meitei communities. Speaking at a condolence event in Pongringlong for Chunjanlung Panmei, who was killed by Kuki militants, Gangmei stressed that unity among native groups is essential during this crisis.

Gangmei claimed that the current conflict, which began between Kukis and Meiteis in May 2023, has increasingly impacted the neutral Naga population. He asserted that Meiteis and Nagas are the indigenous people of the state, while describing Kukis as immigrants from Myanmar. Regarding the loss of life during the unrest, Gangmei stated, "In this ongoing ethnic conflict, both Meiteis and Nagas have also died in defense of their ancestral lands, while the illegal Kuki immigrants have died as land encroachers."

The social worker urged the state and central governments to protect indigenous rights by establishing a formal mechanism to identify and deport illegal immigrants. He cited the example of West Bengal, where Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari recently facilitated the departure of 4,800 illegal immigrants, as a model for Manipur to follow. Gangmei concluded by calling on Naga and Meitei lawmakers to collaborate on policies that secure native land and resources against further encroachment.