FNCC rejects Manipur govt’s talk invite

The The Foothills Naga Co-ordination Committee (FNCC) has declined the Manipur government’s invitation for talks to resolve the ongoing indefinite bandh in Naga-inhabited areas, citing failure to honour past commitments and alleged inaction against militants involved in recent incidents.
The indefinite bandh, jointly imposed by Ireng (Liangmei Naga) village and the Joint Tribes Council (JTC), continues across Naga-dominated hill areas of Manipur, restricting the movement of Kuki commuters through Naga-inhabited regions. The agitation was launched following alleged intimidation, vandalism and threats to residents of Ireng village by cadres of Kuki National Front (KNF), a signatory to the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement, on the night of January 11.
Fully endorsing the bandh, FNCC, in a statement issued on January 15, warned that the agitation would be further intensified and extended to restrict Kuki movement across Foothills Naga areas, Old Cachar Road and NH-37 unless Manipur government implements the August 8, 2025 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in letter and spirit and ensures the safety and security of Naga villages.
In an apparent bid to defuse the situation, the Manipur commissioner (home) invited the convener and secretary of FNCC for discussions at his office chamber in Imphal on January 19. However, FNCC declined the invitation, citing two primary reasons- the government’s alleged failure to honour the three-point MoU signed on August 8, 2025, and absence of concrete legal action against KNF-P/UPF cadres allegedly involved in the Ireng incident.
In a letter addressed to the secretary (home), FNCC said the decision was taken after detailed deliberations with the JTC and its affiliated councils and executives. It alleged that instead of arresting and prosecuting KNF-P/UPF cadres and their leader Thangboi Kipgen for alleged involvement in multiple illegal activities, including the January 11–12 Ireng incident, the government was “inviting the victims for negotiation.”
FNCC further pointed out that KNF-P/UPF had issued direct threats against Ireng village on January 12. It also criticised the invitation letter, received via WhatsApp on January 18 evening, describing it as poorly drafted and containing factual errors.