IT News
Senapati, April 1:
The Liangmai Naga Council, Manipur (LNC-M) has issued an appeal to clarify the position of the Liangmai people and address concerns arising from repeated claims over Maremei village. The council alleged that certain individuals, falsely asserting ownership of the village, had been supported by cadres of the NSCN (IM) under the supervision of the Maram-Thangal Region.
According to a statement by R. Machundoubou, President of the LNC-M, Maremei has long been recognized as an ancient Liangmai settlement, with historical boundaries marked by the Maremei River to the north, Ngoki Stream (Mayangkhang River) to the east, Thonglang Akutpa to the west, and Katangkari River to the south. The statement referenced historical records, including the 1894 Hill House tax payment register of British India, which acknowledged Maremei as a Liangmai village. The village was re-established in 1983 and formally recognized as a hill revenue village in 1991, with R.K. Remping serving as its village chairman. Since then, the Liangmai people have worked toward developing the village into a modern settlement through mutual understanding and cooperation with neighboring communities.
The LNC-M acknowledged the support of neighboring villages in securing official recognition for Maremei and recalled a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Maram and Thangal Union with the Zeliangrong Union, which affirmed respect for traditional land boundaries. However, despite these agreements, the council accused the GPRN of falsely claiming Maremei village as part of the Maram-Thangal Region at the instigation of R.K. Remping and certain land speculators. The LNC-M strongly opposed this move, asserting that it disregarded traditional land ownership and excluded the primary stakeholders, the Liangmai tribe, from the decision-making process.
The council further condemned alleged acts of violence by NSCN (IM) cadres under the orders of its Kilo Kilonser. It accused them of committing atrocities, including physical torture and sexual harassment of six Liangmai women in Maremei village. The LNC-M described these acts as gross violations of human dignity and justice and called for immediate intervention. The council expressed shock over what it described as the GPRN’s unilateral and biased verdict favoring R.K. Remping and the Maram-Thangal Region while bypassing the customary justice system traditionally observed in Liangmai society.
The LNC-M also addressed allegations against R.K. Remping, claiming that he had engaged in secretive land transactions, including executing a Compromise Sale Deed with Lenkhomang Chongloi—an act deemed a betrayal under Liangmai customs. It further accused NSCN (IM) cadres of forcibly evicting more than 30 innocent Maremei villagers in the early hours of March 31, 2025. In addition to displacing the residents, the cadres, along with volunteers of R.K. Remping, reportedly vandalized homes and attempted to prevent the victims from seeking refuge in temporary shelters.
Appealing for justice, the LNC-M urged non-Liangmai neighboring communities to refrain from engaging in land transactions with R.K. Remping until a peaceful resolution is reached in accordance with Liangmai customary law. The council also called upon all neighboring communities to respect Liangmai traditions and customary practices to foster peaceful coexistence in Senapati town. It reaffirmed its commitment to justice, upholding traditional values, and promoting harmony among all ethnic groups in the region.
