The Former and Senior Leaders’ Forum of Zeliangrong Civil Organisations has urged Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla to strengthen security along National Highway-37 and extend Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) benefits to Zeliangrong families displaced by the ongoing conflict.
In a memorandum submitted to the Governor, the forum sought regular security escorts for public vehicles travelling between Imphal and Noney. It proposed escorts from Monday to Saturday, with vehicles from Imphal gathering at Keithelmanbi at 7 am and those from Noney gathering at Tupul Bazar at 3 pm.
Alternatively, it demanded dedicated security deployment along the Keithelmanbi–Tupul Bazar stretch from 7 am to 5 pm.
Citing incidents during the 1992–1996 Kuki-Naga conflict, including the reported killing of around 40 passengers after a bus was pushed into a gorge in October 1994, the forum said adequate precautionary security could have prevented such incidents.
The forum also urged the government to recognise displaced Zeliangrong families as IDPs and provide them assistance on par with other displaced persons. It cited affected households from villages in Noney, Tamenglong and Kangpokpi districts, alleging that several Zeliangrong Naga villages had been burnt and their residents forced to seek shelter elsewhere.
It further sought enhanced security for vulnerable Zeliangrong villages, particularly those near Kuki-dominated areas of Kangpokpi and Churachandpur districts, and called for reorganisation of inter-district boundaries, which it said could help address recurring land-related disputes and contribute to lasting peace.
The forum urged the Governor to intervene and ensure immediate action on its demands.
