Overview
- They issued a joint communique on Monday refusing land compensation or negotiations until their political demands are met and peace returns to Manipur.
- The leaders demanded an immediate halt to construction in affected villages and called for the withdrawal of forces and equipment to prevent confrontation.
- The statement opposes both the border barrier and the scrapping of the Free Movement Regime, citing risks to identity, mobility and ancestral lands.
- The chiefs noted that the United Naga Council raised similar objections with the government but reported no consensus from those discussions.
- More than 15 chiefs from Tengnoupal district, including New Shijang, Leijangphai and Huolenphai, signed the declaration as conflict since May 2023 has left over 260 dead and displaced more than 60,000.