The flag display representing seven Meitei clans at the top of the Shiri in the Ukrulian district of Tangkhul Naga Majority Manpur caused a series.
The Arambai Tengolu unit, the radical group Meitei, which won the notorious during the ethnic conflict with the Kuki-Zo tribes, allegedly built the seven color flag “Salai Taret” during the Shiri Lily Manipur festival. Part of the festival is the scaling of the peak of Shiri at an altitude of 9 304 feet.
Tangkhul groups responded to the display and shouted the slogans by a group of men – the video became a viral on social media – standing on what looked like the top of the hill. They interpreted it as a desecration of their worshiped hill, sources of many rivers and streams in the Ukrul district.
Tangkhul Naga Long, the top social body of the community, said that this act was “an absolutely shameful and contemptible attempt by Arambai Tengol to drip and thwart the spirit and importance of the Shiri Lily for the petty and dirty political gains in the wrong place and time”.
Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong, a student body of peak, said the festival embodies peace, ecological consciousness and cultural pride of the Nagasus inhabiting the region. “Therefore, it is an act of serious provocation that individuals, allegedly associated with Aambai Tengol, specifically identify the faction as the COBRA 58 team unit, the Meitei flag raised,” he said.
Isak-Muivah The faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim, or NSCN (IM), said that Arambai Tenggol consulted on a joyful opportunity with an unfounded narrative.
It claimed that the “Salai Taret” flag has no cultural, historical or political connection with Tangkhuls. “Ambai Tengol has again proven anything but a bunch of” Warmongers “evoking the nerves of peace loving Tangkhuls,” the extremist group said on Saturday, looking for an unskilled apology from a radical group within 48 hours for “lifting” in the area “far from their socio-late”.
“It’s not a territorial claim”
Ambai Tengol issued a statement later during the day and urged Tangkhul bodies to carefully explore the context of the video related to the flag. He said that the slogans, including “Long Live Manipur”, were a message of love and unity, and did not miss or endanger any community.
“The valley of the manipuro and the inhabitants of Aambai Tengolu accepts and honors the spirit of peaceful coexistence between all indigenous communities that respect the unity and integrity of manipure,” the group said.
Arambai Tengol said the flag should not be interpreted as a territorial claim or provocation, as well as the flag of any country on the Himalayas does not mean the ownership of the peaks.
“We have deep respect for the indigenous community of Tangkhul, their habits and their sacred hills. Our intention was never to offend or incite, but only the state in solidarity with our traditions, as well as the others in our diverse state and nation,” he added.
The Shiri Lily festival, which took place after a two -year gap, was inaugurated with the Governor of Manipur Ajay Kumar Bhallu 20 May. At the end it was closed on Saturday.
Published – May 24, 2025 11:06
