The move follows a high-level meeting with NTPL leaders, including village authorities and civil society groups, signalling strong grassroots backing.
BY PC Bureau
April 27, 2026:
In a notable development aimed at easing tensions in parts of Northeast India, the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) has issued a formal declaration committing to peace, restraint, and non-violence.
The statement, released from the group’s council headquarters at Camp Mount Ararat, follows a high-level meeting held on April 27 with leaders of NTPL, including village authorities and civil society organisations from the South Zone. After what it described as “prolonged deliberations,” the ZUF said all participants unanimously agreed to avoid any actions that could trigger or escalate conflict.
Reaffirming its stance, the group said it remains committed to “stability, mutual understanding, and tranquillity” in Zeliangrong-inhabited areas, while continuing to pursue what it called the “genuine issues” of the community through peaceful means.
This development is also being interpreted as a significant political signal within the broader Naga landscape. Analysts suggest that by committing to restraint and prioritising local stability, the Zeliangrong United Front is unlikely to align itself with Tangkgul Naga groupings and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah), which has been at the forefront of tensions involving the Kuki-Zo community in districts like Ukhrul and Kamjong in Manipur.
The statement indicates a preference among Zeliangrong groups to distance themselves from ongoing inter-ethnic confrontations and instead focus on maintaining peace within their own areas of influence.
ZUF’s latest statement is being seen as a constructive step in a region long affected by insurgency, ethnic tensions, and periodic violence. By committing to restraint and working with grassroots institutions like NTPL, the group is signalling a possible reduction in factional clashes and a move toward community-led peacebuilding.
NTPL, which includes traditional chiefs, village authorities, and civil society organisations, plays a critical role in maintaining order in tribal societies. Their involvement suggests that the peace commitment has broader local backing, increasing its chances of implementation on the ground.
The declaration also aligns with ongoing peace efforts involving Naga groups and the Government of India. In a region still dealing with security challenges and the aftermath of recent unrest, such initiatives can help stabilise conditions, rebuild trust, and create space for dialogue.
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What is the ZUF? (History and Background)
The Zeliangrong United Front was formed in 2011 as an armed-political organisation representing the Zeliangrong community—comprising the Zeme, Liangmai, and Rongmei (Inpui) Naga tribes. These communities inhabit a contiguous region spread across parts of Manipur (notably Tamenglong and adjoining hill districts), Nagaland (especially Peren district), and Assam (Dima Hasao region).
The group emerged from a sense of political and cultural marginalisation among Zeliangrong leaders within the broader Naga movement. It sought to assert a distinct identity and voice for the community, particularly in negotiations concerning Naga political aspirations.
ZUF’s key objectives include:
- Protection of ancestral land, identity, and customary practices
- Advocacy for a unified administrative arrangement or greater autonomy for Zeliangrong-inhabited areas
- Opposition to illegal activities such as narcotics trade and poppy cultivation
- Resistance to perceived domination by larger insurgent groups, particularly the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) (NSCN-IM)
In its early years, the group functioned as an underground insurgent outfit and was involved in occasional factional tensions. Over time, however, it entered into a Suspension/Cessation of Operations (SoO/CoO) agreement with the Government of India and the Manipur government, signalling a shift toward dialogue while maintaining its organisational structure.
