02/06/2026
|| NPCM Holds First Native Peoples Convention, Calls for Abrogation of SoO
The Native Peoples' Committee Manipur (NPCM) organised its first Native Peoples Convention under the theme "Unified Response" at a relief camp in Makhan Village, located in Saitu-Gamphazol Sub-Division of Kangpokpi District.
The convention was attended by resource persons including K. Timothy Zimik (Retd. IRS), Dr. Y. Premananda, Head of the Department of Law, Manipur University, Dr. R.K. Narendra, Demographer, and Homen Thangjam, Assistant Professor at IGTU. Jurist Abonmai and Ashem Prince served as moderators for the event.
Speaking on the occasion, NPCM Convenor Ashang Kasar stated that the convention was organised to unite indigenous communities in response to the growing challenges, threats, and uncertainties faced by native peoples in Manipur. He described NPCM as a broad-based platform committed to protecting the interests of indigenous communities.
Ashang Kasar said the convention focused on three key demands: the abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement between the Government of India and Kuki armed groups, the withdrawal of Assam Rifles from Manipur, and the updating of the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
He asserted that as long as the SoO agreement remains in force, the ongoing conflict and the insecurity faced by indigenous communities will persist. According to him, the SoO arrangement has become one of the root causes of the present crisis and cannot be separated from the current unrest.
He further stressed the need for all indigenous communities to stand united against what he described as external aggression and coordinated activities by external forces affecting Manipur.
Ashang Kasar also announced that NPCM would conduct awareness programmes across districts and localities to educate people on these issues. Following the convention, the committee plans to initiate consultative meetings involving Naga and Meitei legislators.
He added that NPCM would take up issues related to the Manipur crisis, census operations, and NRC implementation with the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister, while also exposing concerns surrounding these matters at various levels.