Silent war or calculated provocation ? Is the Kuki-Zo community pushing the Nagas to the edge ?

Dirinamai Liangchi
THE RECENT actions and rhetoric from sections of the Kuki-Zo community have raised serious concerns among the Naga people. Since the beginning of the Kuki-Meitei conflict in May 2023, a series of provocative incidents in Kangpokpi Sub-division, particularly in the Saitu Gamphazol area, has tested the patience and neutrality of the Naga community.
While the Nagas have refrained from involvement in the ongoing conflict, the persistent provocations by the Kuki-Zo community have escalated to a point that now demands accountability and introspection.
A Troubling History of Provocation
The Naga community has endured a series of escalating provocations and assaults at the hands of Kuki militants and their supporters, highlighting a troubling disregard for peace and coexistence.
1. The pattern of hostility began on June 18, 2023, when members of the Kuki-Zo community deliberately burned down the home of a Liangmai Naga in Chingmang Leimakhong, despite a sign clearly identifying it as a “Naga House.” This act was carried out by local Kuki volunteers, supported by illegal refugees from Myanmar, who roam freely in the foothills of Manipur, armed with sophisticated weapons under the pretense of protecting “Kuki lands”—a claim lacking historical or geographical legitimacy.
2. The provocations escalated on September 7, 2023, when Z Hotngambou, a Liangmai Naga, was brutally assaulted by members of the Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) in Chalwa along the IT Road in Kangpokpi Sub-division. Despite the KRA being bound by a Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement with the Government, this attack blatantly violated peace agreements. On June 19, 2024, suspected Kuki miscreants burned a truck in Senapati, further stoking tensions.
3. Later, on August 31, 2024, Naga volunteers were manhandled during a rally organized by the Kuki Students’ Organisation-Sadar Hills (KSO-SH) in Tumnoupokpi Naga village.
4. The violence intensified on September 6, 2024, when an unidentified Kuki individual threatened Makui Naga villagers in Kangpokpi Sub-division using a walkie-talkie. Referring ominously to the Joupi incident of 1993, he warned that the villagers were like “fish in a pond,” suggesting their annihilation. The Kukis and some Kuki organisation is trying to tarnish the Naga fabric which is strongly woven by terming few Naga section as “Kacha Naga” and “wanabe Naga”.
5. Again on November 12, 2024, Kuki militants sprayed bullets at Tangkhul Naga farmers in Shanti Khongbal, injuring one of them.
6. On November 30, 2024, illegal Kuki refugees looted construction materials intended for a Church in Leimakhong, and instead of condemning the act, the Kuki-Zo community formed a fabricated organization called the “Leimakhong Area Protection Committee,” issuing a press statement with the derogatory term “Kacha Naga” to insult the local Naga population. The Kukis and some Kuki organisation is trying to tarnish the Naga fabric which is strongly woven by terming few section of Naga tribe as “Kacha Naga” and “Wannabe Naga.”
7. The provocations reached new heights on December 22, 2024, when three top leaders of the Senapati District Students’ Association (SDSA) were assaulted by Kuki volunteers in Gamgiphai, Kangpokpi.
 8. On January 7, 2025, a Naga woman in Kangpokpi Sub-division was brutally molested by Kuki volunteers while leveling her land in K Lungwiram Naga village. This heinous act, along with the broader pattern of violence, stands as a direct affront to the dignity and identity of the entire Naga community.
These examples represent only a fraction of the numerous provocations and incidents aimed at undermining the Naga community. They include looting from Naga businesswomen, attempts to disrupt revered Naga festivals (such as those of the Mao and Liangmai Naga communities), and issuing threats to intimidate Naga special guests.  Together, these actions reflect a concerted effort to provoke unrest and harm the Naga identity.
A Pattern of Deception
Certain Kuki organizations have consistently portrayed themselves as victims while simultaneously instigating conflicts. This dual narrative requires close scrutiny to uncover the deceitful and aggressive tactics used to manipulate public opinion and perpetuate violence. By exploiting their victimhood, these organizations divert attention from their provocative actions and their role in destabilizing peace.
The 1993-1998 Kuki-Naga Conflict: Lessons in Restraint
The Kuki-Naga conflict of 1993-1998 has often been mischaracterized. It was not a full-scale war between the two communities. Initially, the conflict involved the entire Kuki tribe and a segment of the Tangkhul Naga before narrowing to a confrontation between the Kuki tribe and the Zeliangrong Naga. Importantly, no Naga communities from Senapati district participated in the hostilities. This historical restraint by the Nagas underscores their commitment to peace, even amidst provocation.
A Call for Accountability
 The Nagas have repeatedly extended opportunities for reconciliation and mutual respect. However, instead of embracing peace, certain sections of the Kuki-Zo community have taken to social media and other platforms to openly declare hostility toward the Nagas, further straining relations.
To those Kuki intellectuals advocating for conflict, if you believe you are prepared for war, declare it openly instead of resorting to cowardly provocations. The Nagas will not tolerate these games of hide-and-seek, nor will their patience be mistaken for weakness.
A Warning and a Path Forward
History has shown the unyielding resolve of the Naga people when pushed to the brink. If these provocations persist, the consequences will be irreversible. However, this is a time for wisdom and reconciliation, not recklessness. The Naga community urges the Kuki-Zo community to reflect on their actions and choose a path of peace and mutual respect. The future of both communities depends on rejecting old animosities and fostering harmony.
It is important to emphasize that the entire Naga populace, along with our civil society organizations (CSOs), remain fully aware of these provocative developments. Our silence should never be mistaken for weakness. It is not too late for the Kuki-Zo community to humble themselves and seek repentance.
The time has come for the Nagas to rise above the deceptive narratives of the Kukis, which distort the truth and falsely cast themselves in the guise of victims while appealing to the Naga leaders.

The author is a freelance writer and can be reached at liangmai367@gmail.com. Views are personal.
Courtesy Ukhrul Times