The Haomee Youth Front has announced its support for the ongoing agitation launched by the Foot Hills Naga Coordination Committee. In a statement issued to the media, the organisation noted that the region known as Manipur or Kangleipak had been inhabited since long before the year 2000 and identified it as a historically established land of various indigenous communities. According to the statement, as many as 25 native communities have been living in the area for generations with distinct traditions and ways of life.
The organisation pointed out that when Manipur merged with India, six well-defined regions had already existed since 1951. Over the years, individuals from outside the state, particularly from Myanmar, allegedly migrated and settled in the region. These migrants were said to have encroached upon forest areas and established unauthorized villages, gradually displacing indigenous populations.
The statement alleged that in many of these settlements, forests were cleared to facilitate poppy cultivation, which had become a major source of drug production. It added that those involved had begun to claim victimhood while trying to establish ownership over the land. In response to this, members of indigenous communities were said to have started returning to reclaim their ancestral lands, leading to tensions.
It was further mentioned that Meiteis residing in the foothills had come under threat while attempting to protect their land. Referring to the outbreak of violence on May 3, 2023, the Haomee Youth Front claimed that many Meiteis were attacked and displaced during the unrest.
The group also claimed that those responsible for the violence had fortified their presence in the hills and had begun blocking roads and restricting the movement of others. It alleged that some individuals, despite being recent settlers, had started identifying themselves as Indian citizens and were now seeking constitutional benefits.
The Haomee Youth Front expressed concern that the situation could lead to further conflict between indigenous communities of the hills and the valley. They alleged that a significant number of Kuki individuals had crossed into Manipur illegally and settled there, and warned that such migrations were continuing and might lead to serious consequences if not addressed in time.