Nagalim Voice-June 2026
EDITORIAL
INDIA – OUTSOURCING VIOLENCE
Manipur’s hills have long simmered with ethnic rivalries, but the recent flare-up of violence between the Kuki refugees and the Naga communities underscores a deepening crisis that threatens to erode the fundamental fabric of the region’s indigenous inhabitants.
While Nagas slumber, their adversary has patiently consolidated power through narcotics, international lobbying based on fabricated narratives, and the instrumentalization of religion to justify territorial claims. Historically, the establishment of Kuki settlements in Naga hill areas constitutes illegal incursion. This demographic engineering has been facilitated by the Government of India, effectively providing a ‘blessing’ to landless Kuki refugees at the expense of Naga’s indigenous rights. However, the Indian government has no legal or moral right to cede Naga ancestral land to refugees.
New Delhi’s attempts to integrate the Northeast through “Act East” policies will largely falter if the pursuit of a meaningful political solution for the Nagas keeps stalling. Furthermore, traditional tactics of control are losing their efficacy. The old colonial-era policies are failing due to a growing affinity among the general populace. Government of India’s attempt to use religious identity during the Meitei-Kuki conflicts as a wedge have proved unsuccessful and the continued imposition of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) has only bred deep-seated resentment without offering a path to resolution. Current Political opportunism further destabilizes the region. Manipur’s leadership remains stubbornly valley-centric, ignoring the volatile fault lines of the hills, and perhaps the most dangerous development is the strategic use of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreements. It has become increasingly evident that India is utilizing Kuki groups as proxies to wage a shadow war against the Naga national resistance movement. While these groups may be content to serve as a proxy force in exchange for the promise of “separate administration,” this is a short-sighted and reckless strategy on India’s part. Outsourcing “state terrorism” to the SoO groups undermines long-term peace and erodes India’s international credibility. Proxy warfare cannot be contained and India will eventually loss control over her proxies, intensifying an already fragile situation that has already spilled across the border into Myanmar.
There is, however a glimmer of hope amidst the geopolitical manoeuvring. If a global power like India must resort to proxy warfare because it has failed to defeat the Naga cause through diplomacy even after 29 years, it reveals a fundamental weakness in their strategy. Nagas should think outside the box, claims of legitimacy to the land and history alone will not suffice to attain the ultimate goal of freedom. Nagas must come together and contribute as one entity for the common goal. Nagalim is a ‘Nation’, so it’s time to think and act like a Nation.
In these times of crisis, the Naga women deserve the highest applaud and respect for their resilience, halting the militarization of the Naga villages. Day in and day out, the women folk have prevailed against the heavily armed Indian Para-military and security forces and their aggression. It is from these spirited souls that national fighters must draw their inspiration as they navigate this precarious chapter of history.
KUKNALIM!