Manipur: ANSAM Stands Firm for Naga Rights, Supports SDSA’s Non-Cooperation Against Senapati Police Officials

ANSAM stressed that a series of democratic protests, especially those on June 2 and 3, 2025, clearly expressed the collective will of the Naga people.

The All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM) has reiterated its firm commitment to defend the legitimate rights of the Naga people and voiced strong support for the non-cooperation movement initiated by the Senapati District Students’ Association (SDSA) against senior police officials in the district.

In a press release issued on Thursday, ANSAM said, “We shall stand unwavering in our commitment to defend our people’s ancestral land, unique history, and inherent rights.” The association strongly condemned the Central government actions, particularly the scrapping of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and the imposition of border fencing in Naga areas. It said these moves disregard the Naga people’s voice and violate the spirit of the 2015 Framework Agreement signed on August 3, which recognises the Nagas’ flag, constitution, and integration as inalienable rights.

ANSAM stressed that a series of democratic protests, especially those on June 2 and 3, 2025, clearly expressed the collective will of the Naga people. However, it alleged that the Central government continues to deny and depoliticiae the Naga people’s legitimate movement, which is backed by international legitimacy under Article 36 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), 2007.

“The government’s actions reflect a failure of governance and a breakdown of democratic principles before the world,” the release said.

ANSAM strongly criticised the actions of the Senapati District police during the 48-hour office picketing held as part of the people’s peaceful democratic movement. According to the release, all hill districts observed the protest peacefully, except Senapati, where the police allegedly provoked and disrupted the protest under the orders of the Superintendent of Police and Additional SP (Law and Order).

“The chilling and biased attitude of the authorities is an insult to the sentiments of the people and a direct challenge to the rights of the Nagas,” ANSAM stated. “Such unprofessional conduct contradicts democratic governance and cannot be tolerated.”

While expressing full solidarity with SDSA’s plea against the police officers, ANSAM extended support for the ongoing non-cooperation movement against them. The student body warned that the Central government will be held solely responsible for any untoward incident arising from its actions and mishandling of the situation.

The association also expressed shock over what it called the “outrageous and illogical” filing of FIRs against ANSAM, SDSA, and other student unions, including the Maram Students’ Union (MKS), Mao Students’ Union (MSU), Poumai Naga Students’ Union (PNTM), Thangal Students’ Union (TAJ), and Zeliangrong Students’ Union-Senapati Zone (ZSU-SZ). It described the move as “a direct assault on the collective conscience of the Naga people and an authoritarian attempt to criminalise civil voices.”

“We condemn the autocratic actions of the Senapati District Police in the strongest terms,” said ANSAM. “The filing of FIRs against student organisations for voicing the rights of the people is a disgraceful abuse of power.”

ANSAM urged all right-thinking individuals, organisations, and civil bodies to condemn the unjust criminalisation of student voices. It called upon its constituent and subordinate units and the entire Naga populace to “remain vigilant, united, and ready for any eventuality in the days ahead.”

“We will continue to walk with our people until the FMR is reinstated and the construction of the border fencing is stopped,” ANSAM added.

Also Read: Free Movement, IDP, Recent Shutdown Among Key Issues Discussed with HM Shah: Manipur Ex-CM Biren Singh

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