Manipur BJP MLA D. Gangmei has expressed serious concerns about the rapid emergence of new villages along major highways, alleging that “outsiders” are claiming ancestral lands belonging to the Zeliangrong community. In a Facebook statement, Gangmei highlighted that the swift growth of settlements along Tamei Road and the Kangpokpi region has instilled fear and anxiety among local residents.
“Our concern now is the growing issue of infiltration and land encroachment in our areas where the Zeliangrong people reside,” he noted. He emphasized that new villages are appearing along these highways, with outside groups asserting rights to ancestral lands. As a peace-loving community, the Zeliangrong people feel increasingly targeted and vulnerable, according to Gangmei.
The Zeliangrong community is a significant segment of Manipur’s Naga population. Gangmei has connected the rise of these settlements to illegal immigration, alleging that unidentified groups are occupying land and making ancestral claims without any historical basis. “Let’s go and see these highways — the Tamei side in Naga-dominated Tamenglong district and the Kangpokpi side. There are many new villages. They are occupying our land and calling it their ancestral land. Encroachment is happening right in front of us,” he stated.
Gangmei also referred to National Highway 37, which traverses Tamenglong district, and NH-2, which runs through Kangpokpi district, both of which are reportedly experiencing these encroachments. He criticized the “silence” of community leaders and institutions regarding the situation, arguing that their inaction is detrimental to the collective well-being of the Zeliangrong people. He called for unity and vigilance, urging the younger generation to defend their traditional lands.
“It’s time for the present generation to stand up and protect our rights, our land, and our identity,” he asserted, advocating for enhanced coordination, assertiveness, and solidarity within the community to ensure the future of the tribe.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/manipur/video/new-villages-emerging-along-highways-outsiders-claiming-ancestral-land-manipur-bjp-mla-1309115-2025-11-26?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2025-11-26 18:25:00
