Tangkhul apex body does not recognise Biren’s authority to define blood relation of Tangkhul tribe, rejects Ukhrul becoming Manipur's summer capital

The Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), an apex body of Tangkhul, has declared that it did not recognize the authority of N. Biren Singh to define the blood relation of the Tangkhul tribe - either as head of a State government or in his individual capacity.

In response to the public declaration made by the Chief Minister N. Biren Singh three days ago at Ukhrul about the Tangkhul and Meitei being blood brothers, the Tangkhul apex body stated that it did not dismiss or disregard instances of relationships between certain families or clans of Tangkhul and Meitei communities. However, trying to blanket the entire Tangkhul community under such stray historical and genealogical definition is bereft of any sound logic. Such a declaration holds no bearing for and meaning of TNL, it said.

TNL also stated that the Tangkhul people are competent enough to know their own history and the tribe also believed in their destiny as an integral part of the Naga nation and did not wish their land to become a summer second or any other Capital of Manipur.

In its statement on Saturday, the TNL stated that they were constrained to issue a statement to clear the air in the backdrop of widespread public outrage and confusion regarding the visit of N. Biren Singh, Chief Minister of Manipur, to Ukhrul and related activities thereof.

"Tangkhul Naga Long, as the apex Tangkhul body, is in no way connected to the State Cabinet meeting held in Ukhrul during the Chief Minister’s visit and it is also not a party to the joint memorandum submitted by certain Tangkhul civil voluntary organisations," it said.

Further, TNL stated that they welcomed and appreciated every move by the State government regarding development works in the district and called for an understanding that the State government was merely doing its mandated duty and not bestowing any extraordinary largesse to Tangkhul tribe.