Kanglei Yelhou Cheingak calls for hill-valley unity

Kanglei Yelhou Cheingak observed World Indigenous Peoples’ Day at its head office in Sanskrit Tol, DM University Campus, with a solemn function highlighting the urgent need for unity between the hills and the valley. Speakers underscored that Manipur’s strength lies in its diversity and that only through unity can the state build a secure and prosperous future.
Chief Guest Ningthoukhongjam Thanil cautioned that indigenous peoples are increasingly becoming targets of bureaucratic exploitation, with their natural resources eyed for control. He urged the public to remain vigilant, avoid dependency traps, and safeguard self-reliance. While the government provides rations and schemes in the name of “food security,” he said the true goal should be “food sovereignty,” where communities retain control over their resources and way of life. Dependence on handouts, he warned, risks eroding traditional self-sufficiency.
Presiding over the event, Nongthombam Sanahal stressed that unity among Manipur’s indigenous peoples, irrespective of hill or valley, is essential in the face of forces seeking to divide the state. He described the situation as one where Manipur is “almost half-buried” in political manoeuvres aimed at disintegration, calling for collective awareness before irreversible damage occurs. Sanahal described unity as not just a request but a humble demand from all indigenous people, rooted in shared heritage and identity.
Salam Pravapati Devi attended as Guest of Honour. Members of Kanglei Yelhou Cheingak reaffirmed their commitment to defending the rights, resources, and future of Manipur’s indigenous communities through solidarity and vigilance.