Residents of Nongsum in Imphal East have alleged that the Manipur Government is attempting to withdraw cadres of the Pambei-led United National Liberation Front (UNLF-P) from the village, a move they claim could seriously compromise the security of the area.
According to local residents, UNLF led by Pambei cadres stationed at Nongsum had begun packing their belongings to leave the village when a large number of local women intervened and prevented their departure. The residents maintained that the cadres should remain in Nongsum, arguing that their withdrawal would weaken the area’s security and allow Kuki militant camps in nearby Khamenlok to regain a foothold.
The villagers questioned whether the government’s reported move was part of an attempt to hand over parts of Imphal East district to Kuki groups. They also referred to earlier public assurances made by the Union Home Minister and the Chief Minister regarding the protection of the state’s territorial integrity, asking what had become of those commitments.
Residents stated that Nongsum, along with Pukhao and Uyumpok, has served as a strategic frontline protecting the northern approaches to Imphal East since the outbreak of the ethnic conflict in May 2023. They asserted that any withdrawal of the Pambei led UNLF cadres would leave the area vulnerable and force many local families to move to relief camps out of fear for their safety.
The villagers warned that they would not allow the cadres to leave the village and maintained that any attempt to relocate them would be viewed as a threat to the security of the Meitei-inhabited areas in the region.
