TNWL clarifies Tangkhuls’ position vis-à-vis tribal leaders’ forum

Tangkhul Naga Wungnao Long (TNWL), the apex Tangkhul headmen’s association, has stated that the Tangkhul tribe has nothing to do with the so-called Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), claiming that the latter never consulted the Tangkhul tribe or sought its consent to be a part of the forum.

In a statement, TNWL president SA Ramnganing said that the clarification on the matter was necessary to avoid public confusion.

He said that the ITLF had circulated a General Information dated 9 March 2023 on its letterhead with the tagline “Conglomeration of Recognized Tribes in Manipur” to invite the public to participate in a recent public rally to voice their grievances.

He mentioned that the use of “Recognised tribes in Manipur” tag may give the impression that all recognized tribes of the state are associated with the forum. “Hence, we would like to state that there had been no consultation whatsoever with the Tangkhul tribe to be part of the forum and in light of this fact we are to clarify that the Tangkhul tribe is, in no way, party to the conglomeration,” he added.

Ramnganing went on to state that if the forum by taking the names of all the recognized tribes of the state had given a wrong impression, “the Tangkhul tribe stands resolute that it had never sought our consent in this regard.”

“We consider the use of this particular term ‘Recognised tribes in Manipur’ without the consent of the respective tribes is nothing but a misnomer,” he added.

Stand against poppy, deforestation

The TNWL has reviewed and toughened its stance against poppy cultivation and the associated deforestation across its jurisdiction in Ukhrul and Kamjong districts.

Ramnganing mentioned that poppy cultivation continued to be a major problem in the region, as it is contributing to deforestation and environmental degradation. This is despite the fact that the chiefs’ association had already called for a ban on the illegal plantation.

Taking serious note of this, TNWL held a series of serious deliberation during its Annual Assembly on 22 February 2023, and came up with another resolution, reaffirming its standing resolution against illegal poppy cultivation and rampant deforestation in all villages under its jurisdiction, he said.

He said that as per the latest resolution, TNWL has endorsed the headmen of each village to oversee and enforce the collective resolution to ensure that poppy cultivation and its resultant destruction caused to the forest and environment do not continue in their respective villages. 

TNWL has been working relentlessly for the welfare of the Tangkhul community as well as other tribes settling in the districts of Ukhrul and Kamjong.

In recent years, it has taken up several initiatives to tackle varied social issues confronting the society. “One such is the movement launched and spearheaded by the TNWL in collaboration with other Tangkhul CSOs n line with the state government’s “War on Drugs” campaign,” he said. 

He continued that under the initiative, TNWL had taken a firm stand to eliminate illegal plantation of poppy and wanton destruction of forest and natural resources for the illegal purpose.

“In its Annual Assembly held on 22nd February, 2021, the apex Tangkhul Awunga (headmen’s) body had unanimously resolved that poppy cultivation and drug abuses in any form and wanton destruction of natural lands and forest for the same purpose be strictly prohibited in its entire jurisdiction with immediate effect (vide Resolution No. 7/ TNWL General Assembly dated 22/02/2021),” he recalled. 

Accordingly, TNWI launched an awareness campaign and conducted mass awareness activities as across villages under its jurisdiction to educate the villagers about the harmful effects of poppy cultivation on human population and the forests.

It had issued a collective directive of TNWL and other Tangkhul CSOs to all villages for immediate cessation of all activities related to poppy cultivation. 

However, during the course of its campaign and implementation of its resolution, it was observed that certain villages had failed to comply with the collective directive and continued the illegal poppy plantation causing unrestrained damage to the forest and environment. 

This prompted TNWL to pass another resolution to reaffirm its standing resolution to eliminate poppy cultivation and associated deforestation, he added.