A massive democratic rally was held today at Tamenglong Headquarters demanding the protection of indigenous land and natural resources. The protest was organized by the Joint Action Committee (JAC), a coalition comprising the Zeme Naga Council Manipur (ZNCM), Liangmai Naga Council (LNCM), Rongmei Naga Council Manipur (RNCM), Inpui Naga Union (INU), and affected village committees of Zeilad, Buning, and Jiri Makru Wildlife Sanctuaries, along with the Village Authority Chairman Council (VACC) and the Chairmen Secretaries Association Tamenglong (CSAT).

Protesters voiced strong opposition to wildlife sanctuary declarations, reserve forests, protected forests, and seismic surveys labeled D2 and D3 in Tamenglong and Noney districts. Demonstrators carried placards reading “Our Land, Our Lives, Our Right,” “We Are Guardians Not Encroachers,” and “Development Must Be With Us, Not Against Us.”

Currently, three wildlife sanctuaries — Zeilad, Buning, and Jiri Makru — exist in Tamenglong district. The affected communities allege that these were declared without their knowledge or consent, violating both domestic and international protocols, including the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP 2007). They claim the government failed to obtain Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) from the indigenous landowners.

Organizers stated that today’s rally recorded the highest turnout of any protest ever held in Tamenglong. Participants came from across the district, including Noney, Tousem, and Tamei subdivisions, leaving behind their daily work to join the demonstration.

The protest march began at Apollo Ground and concluded at Jadonang Park. In solidarity with the rally, all shops, commercial transport, and businesses remained closed.

Following the protest, JAC executive members submitted a memorandum addressed to the Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Mini Secretariat, Farmland. Copies of the memorandum were also sent to key officials including the Secretary, Ministry of Environment, the Governor of Manipur, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, the Chief Wildlife Warden, and the Divisional Forest Officer of Tamenglong.