Over 200 Naga Households Displaced in Manipur: Zeliangrong Leaders Demand Urgent Relief and Highway Security

Recent escalating tensions and suspected arson in Manipur have led to the displacement of over 200 Naga households. Residents from dozens of homes across at least eight villages in the Noney, Tamenglong, and Kangpokpi districts have been forced to flee their residences^[1]. Vulnerable settlements, including Sempat Naga, Gaidunluang, and Chamripeu, have been largely abandoned as communities fear further attacks and violence.

According to a memorandum submitted to Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on October 1, 2026, by the Former & Senior Leaders’ Forum of Zeliangrong Civil Organisations (FSLFZCOs), the situation is rapidly deteriorating^[2]. Local news outlets, including Northeast News and Imphal Times, report that the forum highlighted how the growing unrest between the Naga and Kuki communities, exacerbated by recent civilian deaths in the Kamjong district, has amplified insecurity throughout the region^[3].

Urgent Demands for IDP Status and Border Security

In their direct appeal, Zeliangrong leaders urged the state government to officially recognize the displaced families as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)^[4]. Granting IDP status is critical for these households to immediately access standard humanitarian relief benefits.

Furthermore, the FSLFZCOs identified several border villages, such as Konsaram and Chawangkining, as highly vulnerable flashpoints. The civil bodies called for the immediate deployment of state security personnel to protect these areas and prevent further displacement^[5].

Strengthening Security on National Highway 37

A primary concern raised in the memorandum is the safety of civilians traveling along National Highway 37 (the Imphal-Jiribam corridor), a vital economic and transit artery^[6]. The forum demanded robust security escorts for civilian vehicles operating from Monday to Saturday, proposing strategic staging points at Keithelmanbi and Tupul Bazar, or alternatively, a continuous 11-hour daily security presence along the route^[7].

To underline the gravity of the threat, the forum recalled a tragic 1994 ambush during historical Kuki-Naga conflicts, where an insurgent attack on a passenger bus killed 40 civilians on this highway^[8]. The leaders argue this historical precedent justifies strongly managed highway security protocols today.

Addressing Inter-District Boundary Disputes

To achieve long-term peace, the FSLFZCOs proposed a formal reorganization of inter-district boundaries^[9]. The forum stressed that resolving these deeply rooted land and jurisdictional disputes is essential to ending the continuing conflicts and securing lasting stability for all communities in Manipur^[10].

Footnotes

1. Bit Irom, "Manipur: Over 200 Naga households displaced in three districts amid escalating Naga-Kuki conflict," Northeast Now, October 2, 2026, https://nenow.in/north-east-news/manipur/manipur-over-200-naga-households-displaced-in-three-districts-amid-escalating-naga-kuki-conflict.html.

2. "Over 200 Naga Households Displaced Amid Naga-Kuki Tensions," ManipurArticles.com, October 2, 2026, https://manipurarticles.com/manipur-over-200-naga-households-displaced-amid-naga-kuki-tensions/.

3. "Zeliangrong civil bodies seek security escorts, IDP benefits," Imphal Times, October 1, 2026, https://www.imphaltimes.com/news/zeliangrong-civil-bodies-seek-security-escorts-idp-benefits/.

4. "Zeliangrong civil bodies seek security escorts, IDP benefits," Imphal Times, October 1, 2026.

5. Irom, "Manipur: Over 200 Naga households displaced."

6. "Over 200 Naga Households Displaced Amid Naga-Kuki Tensions," ManipurArticles.com, October 2, 2026.

7. Irom, "Manipur: Over 200 Naga households displaced."

8. Irom, "Manipur: Over 200 Naga households displaced."

9. Irom, "Manipur: Over 200 Naga households displaced."

10. Irom, "Manipur: Over 200 Naga households displaced."

Bibliography

Irom, Bit. "Manipur: Over 200 Naga households displaced in three districts amid escalating Naga-Kuki conflict." Northeast Now. October 2, 2026. https://nenow.in/north-east-news/manipur/manipur-over-200-naga-households-displaced-in-three-districts-amid-escalating-naga-kuki-conflict.html.

"Over 200 Naga Households Displaced Amid Naga-Kuki Tensions." ManipurArticles.com. October 2, 2026. https://manipurarticles.com/manipur-over-200-naga-households-displaced-amid-naga-kuki-tensions/.

"Zeliangrong civil bodies seek security escorts, IDP benefits." Imphal Times. October 1, 2026. https://www.imphaltimes.com/news/zeliangrong-civil-bodies-seek-security-escorts-idp-benefits/.

Zeliangrong - Basic Nouns

 

 Chapter Two: BASIC NOUNS

2.     Dress and Ornaments

Zeliangrong - Alphabet

 1. Alphabet

Capital Letter Small Letter Pronunciation As in (English)

1. A - a - a = afternoon

2. B - b - ba = barter

3. C - c - ca = chapter

4. D - d - da = darling

5. E - e - e = egg

6. F - f - fa = father

7. G - g - ga = garden

8. H - h - ha = half

9. I - i - i = if

10. J - j - dzei = jean

11. K - k - ka = kabaddi

12. L - l - la = laugh

13. M - m - ma = mother

14. N - n - na = narcotic

15. O - o - o = olive

16. P - p - pa = pen

17. Q - q - qiu = queen

18. R - r - ra = ram

19. S - s - sa = Saturday

20. T - t - ta = target

21. U - u - u = urdu

22. V - v - va = varnish

23. W - w - wa = water

24. X - x - x = x-ray

25. Y - y - ya = yam

26. Z - z - zet = zebra

Vowels: a, e, i, o, u,

Consonants: b, c, d, f, g, h, j, k, l, m, n, p, q, r, s, t, v, w, x, y, z.

Diphthongs: ai, ao, au, eu, ia, oi, ou, ua ui,

Pronunciation Guide:

1. Three vowels, namely “a,” “o,” and “i” can sometimes stand alone.

E.g.: a = my; a pui = my mother; o! = o!; I = I

2. Four diphthongs, namely “ai”, “au”, “ei” and “eu” can either stand alone or form a separate syllable.

E.g.: ai = I (in Rongmei); au = is (in Zeme); “ei”= okay; “eu” = yes (in Zeme).

3. With the exception of the letters “m” and “n” all other consonants cannot stand alone. They form syllables only with the help of either vowels or diphthongs.

E.g.: bata = ba.ta; herakesia = he.ra.ke.sia; mina = mi.na

But mta = m.ta (free); mpet = m.pet (come out); kemtak = ke.m.tak (rest)

nda = n.da (in the past); nsung = n.sung (remember); nroi = n.roi (axe)

4. The nasal sound “ng” is written with the combination of the letters “n” and “g” = “ng”:

E.g.: nang = nang; hangna = hang.na; ngkap = ng.kap (lost/destroy)

5. If double consonants (other than “ng”) appear in word, the first consonant goes with the preceding vowel, and the second consonant goes with the following vowel.

E.g.: rampau = ram.pau; hangdeu = hang.deu (earth)

6. The letter “w” is used at the beginning of the syllable or word.

E.g., wang = come; wige = there

7. The letter “u” comes always after a consonant.

E.g., heguang = king; hekuak = plate.

8. Proper nouns will start with capital letter 

E.g., Haingambe, Peren, Tening, Tamenglong, etc.) but all other nouns will be written in small letters.

9. We use the letter “e” when a word ends with a consonant

E.g., bam e; wang e; din e); but “ye” when a word ends with a vowel (sa ye; ke ye; wi ye; kambo ye; and ku ye).

Common Syllables.

          a e i o u ai au eu ia oi ua

b =     ba be bi bo bu bai bau beu bia boi bua

c =      ca ce ci co cu cai cau ceu cia coi cua

d =     da de di do du dai dau deu dia doi dua

f =     fa fi fo fu fua

g =     ga ge gi go gu gai gau geu gia goi gua

h =     ha he hi ho hu hai hau heu hia hoi hua

j =     ja Ji Jo Ju jai

k =     ka ke ki ko ku kai kau keu kia koi kua

l =     la le li lo lu lai lau leu lia loi lua

m =   ma me mi mo mu mai mau meu mia moi mua

n =     na ne ni no nu nai nau neu nia noi nua

p =     pa pe pi po pu pai pau peu pia poi pua

q =     qa qi qu

r =     ra re ri ro ru rai rau reu ria roi rua

s =     sa se si so su sai sau seu sia soi sua

t =     ta te ti to tu tai tau teu tia toi tua

w =    wa we wi wo wai wau

x =     xa xi xu

y =     ya ye yi yu yau yia

z =     za ze zi zo zu zai zau zeu zia zoi zua

The Indigenous Identity of the Rongmei Tribe: A Socio-Legal Analysis

Introduction

The discourse on indigenous identity in Northeast India is a complex tapestry of historical continuity and legal classification. Central to this discussion is the Rongmei Naga tribe, a group whose presence across Nagaland, Manipur, and Assam defines the regional socio-political landscape. As part of the broader Zeliangrong community—comprising the Zeme, Liangmai, and Rongmei sub-tribes—the Rongmei people embody the criteria for "Indigenous Peoples" as framed by international standards and regional traditions.

I. Defining the Indigenous: Global and Local Frameworks

The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) identifies indigenous peoples as distinctive groups with historical ties to a particular territory prior to later settlement or occupation.1 These groups are characterized by a close attachment to ancestral lands, the presence of customary institutions, and a distinct language.2 On an individual basis, an indigenous person is defined through self-identification and acceptance by the indigenous community.3

In the context of Manipur, "indigenous" status is often linked to the "Yek Salai" system—a clan classification historically recognized by the monarchy.4 The Manipur kings, starting from 33 CE, assigned this unique identity to indigenous communities.5 Consequently, those belonging to the recognized Yek Salais are regarded as the original inhabitants or "First Settlers" of the region.6

II. The Rongmei Tribe and the Zeliangrong Heritage

The Rongmei people are an integral part of the Zeliangrong collective, which emphasizes the common ancestry shared by the Zeme, Liangmai, and Rongmei.7

• Ancestral Continuity: The Rongmei tribe maintains a deep historical connection to the hills of Manipur and adjacent areas in Nagaland and Assam.8

• Archaeological Ties: Scientific excavations at sites like the Tharon Cave—historically linked to the Liangmai Nagas—indicate human settlement in these hill regions dating back at least 23,000 to 25,000 years.9

• Historical Integration: The Rongmei (often grouped with Kabui and Inpui in older records) have been recognized as indigenous to the region for millennia, with a written history in Manipur stretching back over 3,000 years.10

III. Legal Status: The Scheduled Tribe List

While the Indian Constitution does not explicitly define "Indigenous People," Article 366(25) refers to "Scheduled Tribes" as those communities notified under Article 342.11 The Supreme Court of India has unequivocally asserted that "Scheduled Tribes are indigenous peoples of India."12 In Manipur, the legal recognition of tribes is cataloged through census records and presidential notifications.

Scheduled Tribes in Manipur (Selected Groups as per 2001 Census)13

1. Rongmei, Kabui, Inpui: Grouped together (Population: 62,216).

2. Liangmai, Zeme, Kacha Naga: Grouped together (Population: 20,328).

3. Other Naga Tribes: Tangkhul (112,944), Mao (38,350), Maram (10,510), Poumai (78,249), Maring (17,361), and Thangal (1,200).

4. Kuki-Chin-Mizo Tribes: Thadou (115,045), Hmar (42,690), Paite (44,861), Vaiphei (27,791), and Zou (19,112).

5. Neighbouring Groups: Aimol (3,643), Anal (13,853), Chiru (5,487), Chothe (2,675), Gangte (15,100), and Kom (15,467).

IV. Regional Nuances: Nagaland and Assam

The status of the Rongmei tribe varies across state borders, leading to complex identity debates.

• Nagaland: In Nagaland, the definition of an indigenous inhabitant is often strictly tied to "Naga blood" and birth within the state.14 Former Chief Minister S.C. Jamir noted that while a Naga from Manipur is indigenous in their home state, they do not automatically hold indigenous status in Nagaland.15

• Assam: In the Cachar and Dima Hasao districts of Assam, the Rongmei are recognized as a Scheduled Tribe, maintaining their identity as part of the broader indigenous fabric of the state.

V. Land Rights and Customary Governance

For the Rongmei and their Zeliangrong kin, land is a sacred heritage. The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) affirms the right of such groups to own, use, and control lands traditionally possessed.16

• Ancestral Land Claims: Unlike groups historically categorized as "Aliens and Refugees" in British-era standing orders—such as specific Kuki settlements mentioned in the 1941 Standing Order—the Rongmei are recognized as original occupants with established ancestral villages.17

• Customary Institutions: The maintenance of distinct juridical and social systems is a key marker of Rongmei indigenous identity, allowing them to practice and revitalize their cultural traditions.18

Conclusion

The Rongmei tribe, alongside the Zeme and Liangmai, represents a cornerstone of indigenous heritage in Northeast India. Their identity is defined by a deep historical continuity in their ancestral lands and a robust cultural framework recognized by traditional systems like the Yek Salai. While the Indian legal framework focuses on the "Scheduled Tribe" designation, the Rongmei's claim to being "Indigenous" is rooted in millennia of residence and spiritual connection to the land.

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Footnotes

1 Fifteenth Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), Report on Indigenous Issues, May 2016.

2 Summary of Resolutions of Workshop on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Struggle for Right of Self-determination and Self-government in India, UN Doc. E/CN.4/sub.2/AC. 4/1994 /4/Add. 1.

3 UNPFII, Report on Indigenous Issues, 2016.

4 Federation of Haomee (FOH), Resolution on Indigenous Communities and the Yek Salai System, 2019.

5 Manipur State Constitution Act, 1947.

6 FOH, Resolution on Indigenous Communities, 2019.

7 M.T. Laiba, Geography of Manipur, (Imphal: Angomcha Longjam Langmeiba Thangmeiband, 1996).

8 Ibid.

9 O. Kumar Singh, Archaeological Finds in Manipur Caves, (Imphal: Anthropological Survey, 1983).

10 Laiba, Geography of Manipur, 1996.

11 Constitution of India, Art. 366(25).

12 Supreme Court of India, Kailas & Others v. State of Maharashtra, Criminal Appellate Jurisdiction, January 5, 2011.

13 Census of India 2001, Scheduled Tribes Population of Manipur.

14 S.C. Jamir, "Speech at the Launch of Nagaland Indigenous People’s Forum," Dimapur, October 27, 2019.

15 Ibid.

16 United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Art. 26, 2007.

17 T.A. Sharp, Standing Order of the President of the Manipur State Darbar, July 23, 1941.

18 UNDRIP, Art. 34, 2007.

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Bibliography

Census of India 2001. Scheduled Tribes Population of Manipur. New Delhi: Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India.

Government of India. The Constitution of India. Articles 342 and 366(25).

Jamir, Senayangba Chubatoshi. "Indigenous Identity in Nagaland." Keynote address at the Nagaland Indigenous People's Forum, Dimapur, October 27, 2019.

Laiba, M. T. Geography of Manipur. Imphal: Angomcha Longjam Langmeiba Thangmeiband, 1996.

Manipur State Darbar. Standing Orders of the President (PMSD). Orders No. 2 of 1933 and 1941.

Singh, O. Kumar. Prehistoric Archaeology of Manipur. Imphal: State Museum Publications, 1983.

United Nations General Assembly. United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Resolution 61/295. New York: UN, 2007.

United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. Report of the Fifteenth Session. New York: UN, 2016.

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Online Source Links

• UNPFII Report: https://www.un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/unpfii-sessions-2/sixteenth-session.html

• UNDRIP Declaration: https://www.un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2018/11/UNDRIP_E_web.pdf

• Supreme Court Judgment (Kailas v. State of Maharashtra): https://main.sci.gov.in/jonew/judis/37330.pdf

• Census of India (ST Manipur): https://censusindia.gov.in/census.website/data/census-tables

• Constitution of India (Article 342/366): https://www.constitutionofindia.net/articles/article-342-scheduled-tribes/