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India Aims for Insurgency-Free Northeast by 2029 Deadline

5/21/2026 11:53:00 AM No comments

THE Indian government has set its sights on a significant milestone: making the Northeast insurgency-free by 2029. After seeing real progress in reducing Maoist violence in other parts of the country, the focus has now shifted to the beautiful but often troubled states like Manipur, Assam, and Nagaland. It is a bold move that involves moving elite security forces, such as the specialized CoBRA units, into these areas once their current duties elsewhere are finished. This isn’t just about moving soldiers around; it’s a clear signal that the authorities are ready to wrap up decades of unrest and bring a lasting sense of security to the region.

Manipur is right at the heart of this new plan, and for good reason. Officials have made it the priority because it remains the most affected state, accounting for a staggering 77% of all insurgency cases in the Northeast in 2024. The numbers tell a tough story: out of the 16 active insurgent groups in the entire region, Manipur alone is home to eight of them. In comparison, Assam has three, while Meghalaya and Tripura have two each, and Nagaland has one. With 226 insurgency-related cases reported in Manipur last year - the highest in the region - the government is sending in bulletproof vehicles and extra kit to ensure the safety of both the public and the officers on the ground.

What makes this strategy interesting is that it doesn’t just look at the fighting. There is a deep understanding now that insurgency is often kept alive by dirty money, specifically from the drug trade. By bringing in the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) to work alongside the police, the government is trying to cut off the oxygen that keeps these armed groups going. It’s a bit like fixing a leaky tap; you can’t just keep mopping the floor, you have to find the source of the water. By hitting the smuggling networks that fund these groups, they hope to make it impossible for them to continue their operations.

As we look toward 2029, the goal is about more than just ending conflict; it’s about opening the door for the Northeast to finally thrive. When people feel safe, businesses grow, schools flourish, and tourism can take off. This five-year deadline is ambitious, but it provides a clear roadmap for a region that has waited a long time for stability. If this plan succeeds, the Northeast will no longer be seen through the lens of troubled borders, but rather as a vibrant, peaceful gateway to the rest of Asia.

Setting a deadline like 2029 is a double-edged sword. While it shows strong political will, true peace in the Northeast requires more than just moving troops and arresting smugglers. The real victory will come when the local communities feel that their voices are heard and their futures are secure. Security forces can clear the path, but lasting peace is built on trust, development, and the healing of old wounds. If the government can balance its tough security measures with genuine empathy and local investment, 2029 might truly mark the beginning of a golden era for the region.

(This is a live RPG along with live ammunition found near the site of the bomb attack that took place on 7 April 2026 at Tronglaobi near Moirang in Bishnupur district, Manipur, India. The blast struck a civilian house at around 1:00 a.m., resulting in the death of two children and leaving their mother critically injured.)

~ Zogam Today | Editorial | 21.05.2026

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Unity and Digital Ethics in Lamka’s Future

5/20/2026 02:39:00 PM No comments

THE recent joint meeting between the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the Zomi Re-unification Organisation (ZRO) marks a vital step toward stability in our region. On 11 May 2026, leaders gathered at the ZRO President’s residence to address the most pressing issues facing our community today. It was a moment of reflection and resolve, reaffirming the shared political goal of a Union Territory with its own Legislature. While the debate over nomenclature “whether we call ourselves Kuki-Zo or Kuki-Zomi” continues with a spirit of mutual respect, the core message was clear: unity is our strongest asset, and our political path remains firm despite the complexities of tribal identity.

However, the most significant outcome of this meeting was the focus on a modern threat: communal disharmony spread through social media. In the vibrant town of Lamka, where Kuki, Mizo, Zomi, and Hmar communities live side-by-side, the digital world has often become a battlefield. Platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram are being used by a few ill-intentioned individuals to “pour oil on the fire”. By spreading fake news and communal vitriol, these hate-mongers create panic and distrust. The formation of a Joint Monitoring Cell by the KNO and ZRO is a welcome move to curb this digital toxicity and ensure that our shared peace is not shattered by a viral message or a misleading post.

To truly fix this, we cannot rely on political leaders alone. There is an urgent need for a massive boost in cyber security and digital awareness across our town. Our youth are constantly glued to their phones, often unaware of how easily they can be manipulated by misinformation. It is time for government agencies and the police to step up and host workshops on cyber ethics. We need to teach our children and ourselves how to spot a fake story before hitting the “share” button. When the truth is distorted, the entire community suffers, and the only way to prevent this is to build a culture of caution where every internet user verifies facts before believing them.

The responsibility also lies with our most trusted institutions: the church and our tribe-based NGOs. These organisations hold the moral authority to guide the community toward a more responsible use of technology. We must move away from the “panic culture” where every incident is instantly broadcast with a communal twist. Instead, we should foster a spirit of patience and truth-seeking. By working together, from the highest political offices to the local church pews, we can ensure that our digital tools are used to build our future rather than tear our society apart.

The path to a peaceful Union Territory is paved not just with political agreements, but with digital integrity. In an age where a single false post can undo months of peace-building, our greatest act of resistance against disharmony is critical thinking. By treating every viral message with a healthy dose of doubt, we protect the unity of Lamka from those who wish to divide us from behind a screen.

~ Zogam Today | Editorial | 20.05.2026

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The Guardian Angel of Lengpui Airport

5/18/2026 03:35:00 PM No comments

The Unique Coffin Ministry of Mizoram

PERCHED atop rocky mountains, Mizoram offers breathtaking landscapes that are mesmerizing to travellers. Yet, beyond its natural beauty, the state holds a deeply compassionate peculiarity - something rarely found anywhere else in the world.

For travellers landing at Mizoram’s Lengpui Airport, the first introduction to this unique cultural warmth often comes in the form of a dedicated airport chaplain. For nearly three decades, this ministry has been devoted to helping, consoling, and praying for travellers, particularly those arriving on the most painful journeys: accompanying the mortal remains of their loved ones.

Whenever a coffin arrives at Lengpui Airport, the chaplain steps forward to hold a brief fellowship right at the arrival terminal. He reads comforting Bible verses and offers prayers for the bereaved families and relatives. In heartbreaking instances where no one is present to receive the deceased, the chaplain himself steps in, tenderly covering the coffin with a traditional Mizo shawl to ensure the departed is honoured.

On 11 March 2026 at 1:48 PM, Major Biakthuama read from John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” He summed up the passage beautifully: “There is peace if we have Christ. If we have Christ, that is all we need.” He also quoted from Ephesians 2:6, sharing that God has “raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus”. In his short message and prayer, the Major deeply touched our hearts and brought a sense of true peace to our minds.

The body was respectfully covered with a traditional Zou Puanlaisan shawl
by the Zou Welfare Aizawl, along with Nu Zovi (Pu H. Thanga) and her sisters on 11 March 2026 .

This extraordinary airport chaplaincy began alongside the inauguration of Lengpui Airport on 12 December 1998. From its very inception, the ministry has been solely undertaken and funded by the Salvation Army Mizoram Territory.

The current chaplain carrying the mantle of this heavy yet vital service is Major K. Biakthuama, who is now 71 years old.

Major Biakthuama’s journey into the ministry began decades ago when he completed a two-year theological programme at the Salvation Army Training College in Kolasib, Mizoram, spanning from 1985 to 1987. He was ordained as a minister in April 1987 and dedicated his life to the church, eventually retiring with the rank of Major in 2019 at the age of 63.

Though officially retired, his calling never ended. After briefly serving in a temporary capacity late last year October-November, he was officially re-employed as the airport chaplain in March of this year. While his wife, his seven children (six daughters and one son), and his grandchildren all live healthily in the capital city of Aizawl, the Major chooses to rent a house in Lengpui to be right beside his station. Because Lengpui Airport is located about 32 km away from Aizawl, living locally ensures he can serve the people immediately during their darkest hours.

The ministry’s importance has grown immeasurably in recent years due to geopolitical and regional crises. It is undeniable that the Chin, Kuki, Mizo, Zomi, Kachin, and Karen communities belong to the exact same stock. Although the Zo people are today divided by three international boundaries, it was not so before India’s independence, and their deep-rooted kinship remains unbroken. Across the border, Myanmar has been reeling under turbulent violence between the Military Junta (SAC) forces and PDF civilian fighters since the February 2021 military coup. As a result, a large number of Myanmar’s Zo people have sought refuge in Mizoram, which currently houses a bulk of their cousins.

Zou leaders visited Sye Lalbawi at Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi on 8 March 2026.

Closer to home, the Meitei-Kuki ethnic violence that erupted in Manipur in May 2023 has left a devastating toll. So far, over 228 Kuki-Zo lives have been lost, 200 villages burned, 7,000 houses destroyed, and more than 360 churches andsynagogues razed. Over 41,425 Kuki-Zo individuals have been displaced, with many landing in Mizoram.

Once, the Kuki-Zo people loved Imphal city, but today it has become a valley of death; no Kuki-Zos live in this Meitei-dominated city anymore. For the Kuki-Zos, Imphal is now the capital of death, and they can no longer access its hospitals or airport. Consequently, Aizawl has become the safest city and the “Jerusalem” for all Zo people living across India, Myanmar, and Bangladesh.

Mr Hausuonlal Suontah @ Sye Lalbawi (1977–2026), a professional musician,
passed away after a prolonged illness at Safdarjung Hospital on March 9
and was finally laid to rest on March 12.

Though Aizawl is physically a long distance away: taking a minimum of 12 hours by road to travel from Lamka, it is emotionally much closer to the hearts of Manipur’s Kuki-Zos. Because of this displacement, flight and train services via Mizoram have become absolutely inevitable for the Zo people, leading to a massive increase in passenger footfall. Many who have succumbed to medical illnesses or unfortunate circumstances while away from home are brought back through this route. No matter who they are, Major Biakthuama is there to meet their coffins with a short scripture reading and a prayer of solace.

Remarkably, this essential service receives no financial assistance from the state government, nor does it receive funding from commercial airlines like IndiGo. It remains entirely sponsored by the Salvation Army, relying purely on faith, community support, and the devotion of its chaplain.

Reflecting on his profound daily duty, Major Biakthuama simply smiles and says:

“I have devotional prayers every morning before I begin my work. Sharing the word of God and praying for others - that is my job.”

~ Bruce K. Thangkhal

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Manipur: 33 AR CO’s Viral Status Sparks Reflection on Violence

5/18/2026 11:53:00 AM No comments

THE Commanding Officer of 33 Assam Rifles recently shared a WhatsApp status, now viral on social media, that read: “Jesus was crucified for peace but here followers of him are killing and kidnapping each other.”

His words carry a deep meaning at this painful moment.

The 33 Assam Rifles is one of the major battalions working in the conflict-hit areas of Nagaland and Manipur. Their officers often witness the suffering of ordinary people caught in violence and fear.

Since the shocking killing of three Kuki pastors on the morning of 13 May 2026, tensions between Kukis and Nagas have grown sharply. Innocent civilians from both communities were taken captive during the conflict. It leaves many people asking the same question — what wrong have these ordinary men and women done to deserve such suffering?

Both sides are still demanding the release of the remaining captives. It is heartbreaking to see tribal Christian communities, who once worshipped together under the same faith, now trapped in anger, hatred, and revenge.

If we look back at history, Christianity first reached Manipur through missionary William Pettigrew in the late 19th century. In 1896, after restrictions in Imphal, he moved to Ukhrul and began working among the Tangkhul Nagas. Over time, many Nagas and Kukis accepted Christianity, and the message of peace, love, and forgiveness slowly spread across the hills. The Gospel was planted with hope and sacrifice.

But today, it feels as though the true spirit of that message is fading away. Instead of peace in the name of Christ, people are taking up hatred in the name of tribe and community.

Where are we heading now?

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