The real face of the Tangkhul-led Naga groups has been exposed by their own statement. On October 1, 2026, Tangkhul Aze Katamnao Long (TAKL), also known as the Southern Tangkhul Students’ Union, President Yarchuiso Kashung openly threatened in Imphal that if the Centre and the Manipur government fail to act, Nagas will seek help from China. If a group living in Manipur can so easily seek political and security assistance from Beijing, it proves where its true allegiance lies and strengthens historical evidence that they are not indigenous to Manipur but migrants from China.
This is not an empty threat. If Manipur Naga groups or the NSCN-IM can seek political help from China, it proves that Nagas are Chinese and originated from China. As Tangkhul scholars like Dr. Nelson Vashum and Kharingyo Shimrah have themselves revealed, Tangkhuls originated from China’s Yunnan province and migrated to Manipur in the 13th century along with other Kacha Naga tribes. When a community openly invites China to interfere in India’s internal affairs, it confirms its foreign origin and contradicts its earlier claim of originating from Manipur’s Khangkhui Cave – a claim once used to label Kukis as refugees.
The Times of India report further exposes this dangerous mindset. Kashung stated, “When the Manipur state government doesn’t care, and the Central government doesn’t care, then we, the people living in the border areas, feel like we are not part of Manipur, and not part of the central government, not part of India.” This self-declaration that they are not part of India, combined with an open invitation to China, is a direct threat to India’s sovereignty. A community that feels no belonging to India but feels close enough to call China for help has itself proven that India’s ceasefire with NSCN-IM is nothing but sheltering Chinese proxies on Indian soil.
The NSCN-IM, a Tangkhul-dominated militant group, is allegedly sponsored by the Chinese government, which raises serious questions about its true allegiance and the implications of India’s ceasefire agreement with it. There are consistent and credible reports of NSCN-IM militants being trained by the Chinese PLA and supplied with modern arms, uniforms, and logistical support to wage war against India.
The situation demands thorough and urgent scrutiny from national security agencies and policymakers in New Delhi. Signing and continuing a ceasefire agreement with a militant group that is openly backed by a hostile foreign power like China is a grave national security concern. It is time for India to reassess its priorities and take a firm and uncompromising stance.
The people of Northeast India urgently urge the Government of India to abrogate the ceasefire agreement with NSCN-IM and immediately address the presence of Chinese illegal immigrants in the region. The security of the nation and the entire Northeastern region must not be compromised for political convenience. It is high time India takes decisive and strong action to protect its interests and sovereignty.
What is most shocking is that India mistakenly signed a ceasefire agreement with the NSCN-IM, thereby legitimizing Tangkhul Kacha Naga militants. Since 1990 till today, these militants have killed more than 1,100 Kuki civilians in Manipur and Nagaland, including women and children, and around 800 Naga civilians in Nagaland who opposed their extortion and authoritarian rule. A group with such a bloody history of killing both Kukis and its own Naga brethren cannot be a partner for peace. India needs to be very careful; it cannot maintain a ceasefire with a terrorist organization that is armed and funded by China and has the blood of thousands of innocent Indians on its hands.
