KHALVONTAWI - Voice of the Voiceless from Northeast India

GUITE ROAD UPDATE

1/05/2026 01:00:00 PM No comments

Ahun- 10.30 am
Ani- 05.01.2026

GRCA Chairman pu panlakna in NH102B Guite Road sial na toh kisai in meeting poimoh tak DGM, NHIDCL Office ah om hi. Tua meeting ah DGM, NHIDCL Manager, a team te, GM, MNS Company leh a team te leh Global Infrastructure team te kihel uhi. Meeting ah Songtal leh Khuanggin kikal a zohlouh a ompen, buaina dang omkeileh, tukha sung ngai a, nasep apat dingun thukim uhi. Huan mun tuamtuam a Lei (Bridge) kibawl te leng speed up hon bawl ua, tu khaal sung a atamthei pen honsep ding un gen khawm uhi.

Lampi bawlna toh kisai in mipi kuapeuhmah in akul leh poimoh omleh thasiallou a zui a, kithuman nawn siausiau dingin iki ngen in ikizak hi.

Info & Publicity
GRCA
6009447920
8119939388
9862133461

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Lamka–Mualpui Heli Service Booking Starts Jan 6

1/05/2026 12:53:00 PM No comments

Lamka, Jan 5, 2026: The district administration has announced that booking of slots for the Lamka–Mualpui heli services for the month of February will begin on January 6, 2026.

According to an official notification, booking will start at 10 a.m. at Room FF-04 of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Mini Secretariat, Lamka. The booking process will be conducted offline, and online or phone bookings will not be accepted.

The authorities have informed that a maximum of two seats will be allotted per token. It has also been clarified that bookings will not be conducted on Mondays and Fridays.

Passengers intending to avail the heli service have been advised to take note of the booking date, time, and conditions to avoid inconvenience.

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Liangmai People’s Organization Condemns Murder in Jalukie Town

1/05/2026 12:49:00 PM No comments

The Liangmai People’s Organization, Kabaikam (LPO), has strongly and unequivocally condemned the brutal murder of Mr. Lt. Withinbou, son of Mr. Rangthiulungbou of Jalukie Colony, Ward-9, Jalukie Town, in Peren district, Nagaland.

According to a condemnation statement issued by the LPO on January 4, the victim was cold-bloodedly murdered in his own bedroom on the night of January 3, 2026. Terming the incident as cowardly and inhuman, the organization stated that such an act is an affront to humanity, peace, and the rule of law.

The LPO said that senseless violence of this nature has no place in a civilized society and must be condemned by all right-thinking citizens without hesitation or silence. Expressing deep sorrow, the organization conveyed its complete solidarity with the bereaved family during this time of profound grief and pain.

The Liangmai People’s Organization assured that it will continue to stand firmly with the family until justice is delivered and the perpetrators are brought to account under the law.

The organization urged the concerned authorities to conduct a thorough, impartial, and time-bound investigation to ensure that justice prevails. It also appealed to the public to collectively denounce acts of violence and uphold the values of peace, justice, and human dignity.

The LPO further offered prayers for the departed soul to find eternal peace and prayed that God grants strength, comfort, and courage to the grieving family in their darkest hour.

The statement was issued under the signatures of Koping Npung, President, LPO, and Namdatbou, Secretary, LPO.

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Kuki-Zo Council Condemns Bombing incident Near Seitol Area in Churachandpur

1/05/2026 12:45:00 PM No comments

Lamka, Jan 5, 2026: The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) has strongly and unequivocally condemned a bombing incident carried out by unknown miscreants at Gamnomphai village near the Seitol area of Churachandpur district on Monday morning.

According to the council, the incident occurred between 5:40 a.m. and 8:00 a.m., during which several people were reported to have sustained injuries due to the explosion. Terming the act as deeply disturbing and irresponsible, the KZC stated that such violence poses a grave threat to peace, public safety, and communal harmony.

In a press statement issued by its Information and Publicity wing, the KZC noted that the incident took place in and around a buffer zone area established by security forces with the sole purpose of preventing confrontation and protecting civilian lives. The council reiterated that buffer zones are neutral and sensitive areas and must be strictly respected by all parties at all times.

The KZC warned that any violation of the buffer zone undermines the efforts of security forces and fuels fear, mistrust, and insecurity among the general public.

Expressing concern over the timing of the incident, the council described it as particularly unfortunate that such violence occurred during the ongoing Christmas–New Year festive season, a period meant for peace, reflection, and togetherness. Instead, the incident has disrupted normal life and heightened panic among innocent civilians, it said.

The Kuki-Zo Council has appealed to the concerned authorities to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the incident and to identify and bring the perpetrators to justice at the earliest. It also urged security forces to further strengthen vigilance in and around buffer zone areas to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.

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CCTOA Rejects Assam Government Move to Grant ST Status to Six Communities

1/04/2026 10:59:00 PM No comments

The Coordination Committee of Tribal Organisations of Assam (CCTOA) on Thursday rejected the recommendations of the Assam government's Group of Ministers (GoM) to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six communities in the state.

The decision was taken based on the recommendations of a Consultative Committee chaired by human rights activist Suhas Chakma. A summary of the committee's report was released through a press statement at a press conference held in Guwahati on January 2, 2026.

The six communities proposed for inclusion in the ST list are Tai Ahom, Chutia, Moran, Motok, Koch-Ranbongshi and Tea and Ex-Tea Garden Tribes.

Explaining the reasons for rejection, the CCTOA said that under the Constitution of India, Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) are distinct categories. While SCs are identified on the basis of caste hierarchy, STs are identified based on specific tribal characteristics such as distinctive culture, geographical isolation and social backwardness, as laid down by the Lokur Committee in 1965.

The CCTOA pointed out that in 1993, after research by the Assam Institute of Research for Tribals and Scheduled Castes, these six communities were recommended as Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and later notified as such by the National Commission for Backward Classes. Once classified as OBCs or Scheduled Castes, they cannot be reclassified as Scheduled Tribes for political reasons, the committee said.

Regarding Tea and Ex-Tea Garden Tribes, the CCTOA stated that all expert committees since Independence have opposed granting them ST status. It cited the 1947 report submitted to the Constituent Assembly, which clearly excluded tea garden labourers from the list of Assam's tribes, as well as the Lokur Committee report of 1965, which did not recommend them for ST status.

On the Koch-Rajbongshi issue, the CCTOA said Koch and Rajbongshi are two distinct communities and should not be treated as one. It noted that Koch were identified as a Scheduled Caste in West Bengal under the 1950 Constitutional Order and therefore cannot be classified as Scheduled Tribes in Assam.

The committee further stated that Tai Ahoms, Chutiyas, Morans and Mataks are part of the mainstream Assamese society and were not included in the ST list under the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950, nor identified as STs by the Lokur Committee.

The CCTOA also questioned the credibility of expert committees whose recommendations were used by the Assam government, stating that many members were nominated by community organisations and were not independent. It added that expert findings cannot be selectively ignored or altered by the state or central authorities.

According to the CCTOA, the demand for ST status by the six communities is primarily aimed at securing political reservation, especially in Panchayats, Autonomous Councils and the State Assembly, as there is no seat reservation for OBCs in the Assam Legislative Assembly. The committee said these communities already enjoy educational and employment benefits through 27 per cent OBC reservation and various development councils.

The CCTOA warned that granting ST status to the six communities would severely affect the political and constitutional rights of existing Scheduled Tribes, reducing their representation at all levels, including Panchayats, Autonomous Councils, the State Assembly and Parliament.

It also highlighted that Assam's reservation quota already stands at 59 per cent, exceeding the 50 per cent ceiling fixed by the Supreme Court in the Indra Sawhney case. Inclusion of more communities under the ST category could push the reservation level beyond 70 per cent, which would be unconstitutional.

The committee said the Assam government's recommendations violate the assurance given by an all-party delegation of the Assam Legislative Assembly that the rights of existing STs would not be affected.

Calling the recommendations illegal and unconstitutional, the CCTOA formally rejected the proposal to grant ST status to the six communities.

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Zogam Thuthang | PDA & Zoland

1/02/2026 09:05:00 PM No comments

02 Jan 2026 -- PDA-Tedim: PDA in CC tawh Tedim la-nuam cih pen i theihtek sa hi. Ahizong in, Mipite'n Zoland tha pia zaw, muangzaw, lunggulh zaw ahihman in Mipite' lunggulhna akhualna uh tawh kizui in, 2025 kumsung kila lo hi, cih gen uh hi. Tedim khuasung bomb puak, Leilum zum haaltum, Lawaka zum haaltum, Tedim CNF Bomb puakkham mawtaw hawlte pen PDA te ahi hi. Tu'n ahihleh 2026 sung bangcibang in kalsuan ding? cih PDA Facebook pan tangko ta uh hi.

PDF-Zoland: Zoland in kumsim sumlut-sumpusuak leh kum 1 sung sepna bawlna report nei in, Mipi' tung tangko zel uh hi. Ahizong in, abeisa 2024 leh 2025 kum 2 report tangkona om lo ci hi. Tua kum 2 pen Supporter te' kiang pan Dollar million 3 dektak angah kumte uh hi citciat hi.

Hih Dollar million 3 huhau in huihlak thuging tampi om a, tuate' sungpan alunglut huai pawl khat pen:*
1. Kum 2 sum report om lo ahihman in supporter kiamtuam ci hi.
2. Zoland van kaikhawm gamsung makaite'n thauvui-thautang alei'teh Zoland Supporter te' kiang pan ပွဲစား man la, cih zong thuging om a; ei leh ei neihval-lamval hi lo, huhna kipia in makaite'n ပွဲစား man hong nek behlai, cih tawh Supporter pawlkhat in naasa mah² ci hi.
3. 2026 sung Tedim la zo lo ve², Zoland kalsuan zia Mipite leh Supporter pawl khat in hungaih phot ni, ci uh hi.

©𝐙𝐨𝐠𝐚𝐦 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭

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KNA(B) Attacks Manipur Insurgents in Teijang on New Year

1/02/2026 11:51:00 AM No comments

It has been reported that the Kuki National Army–Burma (KNA-B) launched an attack on Manipur-based insurgents who were taking shelter at Teijang, a Kuki village in Myanmar, early in the morning on New Year's Day, January 1. Teijang falls under the Myothit sub-division and is located about 25 kilometres north of Tamu, the district headquarters of Sagaing Province. The village lies barely one kilometre from the Indo-Myanmar border.

The villagers of Teijang reportedly fled the area in 2024 to save their lives. Since then, the village has allegedly been occupied by Manipur-based Meitei separatist insurgent groups, including the Manipur People's Army (MPA), People's Liberation Army (PLA), and United National Liberation Front (UNLF). All these groups belong to the Meitei ethnic group and are reportedly backed by China and the Myanmar military.

In addition, sources claim that Myanmar military-backed proxy forces, known as Pyu Saw Htee (PST), along with the Manipur Naga insurgent group NSCN-IM, are also present in the village.

According to local sources, these insurgent groups are actively operating in the border areas, supporting the military regime in Myanmar, and engaging in armed activities against Indian forces along the Indian border.

*Pic via social media.

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Report: Khalvontawi Meet 2025 | M. Saalzang Village, Lamka

12/30/2025 09:47:00 PM No comments

The Thangkhal community in Lamka joyfully celebrated Khalvontawi Meet 2025 with the theme “Celebrating Thangkhal Songs, Heritage, History & Culture” at M. Saalzang Village on the night of 29 December 2025. The event was marked by happiness, unity and strong cultural pride.

The programme was graced by Mr Mangminlal, social worker, as the Chief Guest. Pu T. Khaikhanhau, President of the Thangkhal Tribe Organisation (TTO GHQ), attended as Guest of Honour. The Functional President was Pu Lianminthang, President of the Thangkhal Sinlai Pawlpi (TSP GHQ), while Pu Thangkholian, Chief of S. Munhoih, served as the Chief Host.

The first session began with an invocation prayer by Pastor T. Chinminlian, followed by a welcome address from Mr T. Mungnou, Vice-Chairman of Khalvontawi Meet 2025. This was followed by the singing of the TPO (Thangkhal Peoples' Organisation) Anthem, led by elder Zalianpau and his team.

A colourful showcase of traditional Thangkhal attire and costumes delighted the audience. The popular We Dance Academy, Lamka, presented stunning choreography with energetic dance performances.

Mr M. G. Muanlal Thangkhal, Chairman of Khalvontawi Meet 2025, presented tokens of gratitude and awards to outstanding Thangkhal personalities. The awardees included Pastor Thangdoulal for translating the Old Testament Bible into the Thangkhal dialect; Pastor Ginkhankap, for translating the New Testament Bible into Thangkhal dialect; Late Kapsuanthang, member of the Zomi Fins band and composer of the TSP Anthem (Thangkhal Sinlai Pawlpi); Late Thangkhanlam, the longest-serving President of the Thangkhal Peoples’ Organisation (now Thangkhal Tribe Organisation) and composer of the TPO Anthem; and elder Zalianpau, youth leader and lyricist of the TPO Anthem.

A token of appreciation (Pahtawina) was given to the Talai leh Tuhun (The Past & Present) film team, including:

(Late) Rev. Khaikhanthang – Director

(Late) Kamsuanlal (Served as pastor in MELC until his last breathed in 2025)
(Late) Thangchinsuan – Author, Khanglui Taangthu
Rev. Dr. Pum Za Thang Tombing – Acted as Pu Thawngluan (Thangkhal missionary); author
Chinghaunuam – Acted as the wife of Pu Thawngluan
Nianghoihkim – Acted as the daughter of Pu Thawngluan
TK Hang Suantak – Acted as Doctor
Dalzakam (Now missionary-pastor)
Mangminthang (Now pastor)
Didim – Singer
Chinggohniang
Pauhoihching
Nianghauching
Pauchinkhup
Khupsuanhau
Khupkhanlam
Chinkhankap
Hangboi (Now Lecturer, Lawngtlai College, Mizoram)
Kamneithang
Kamkhanlian
Khupngaihniang, and
(Late) Thangkhal Khamminkhup Mate @ TK Mate – Director & Producer, Muanna Rose

The first session concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr Thangkhanlian, Chief of M. Saalzang Village and former President of the Thangkhal Students’ Union (TSP).

The second session featured a live concert by the Zomi Fins band, which thrilled the gathering and echoed across the Zo hills. The richness of Thangkhal songs, culture, costumes and history was clearly reflected throughout the performances.

Special invitees included leaders and representatives from the Thangkhal Tribe Organisation, Thangkhal Youth Organisation, Thangkhal Sinlai Pawlpi, Thangkhal Literature Society, all Thangkhal village chiefs, the Thangkhal Bible Church (IFCA-I) and the Thangkhal Baptist Church (ABA).

The fun-filled Khalvontawi Meet 2025 came to a memorable close under the smooth and lively compering of Mr Malsawm Thangkhal and Miss Ruthi Thangkhal, leaving everyone with lasting joy and pride.

For more photos, click KHALVONTAWI MEET 2025 | ALBUM

~ KHALVONTAWI MEDIA
(Voice of the voiceless)

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NCST Notice on PM-DevINE Health Project Grievance

12/30/2025 09:35:00 PM No comments

This notice informs the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Regions about an inquiry initiated by the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) into a grievance alleging discrimination under the PM-DevINE health project in Manipur. The complaint relates to the provision of super speciality healthcare infrastructure in remote and hill districts. The NCST has scheduled a hearing on 15 January 2026 in New Delhi. The concerned authority has been directed to appear in person with all relevant records.

****

The copy of the notice....

Date: 29.12.2025

Secretary,
Ministry of Development of North Eastern regions,
Room No.-233, Vigyan Bhavan Annexe,
Maulana Azad Road,
New Delhi -110011
Tel. No: 23022020

Sub: Grievance report regarding discrimination in respect of Central Financial Assistance under the Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North Eastern Region (PM-DevINE) for the project “Providing Super Speciality and Assured Speciality Health Care in Remote and Hill Districts (Infrastructure & Equipment) in Manipur” – Letter dated 28.11.2024 from Shri Pao Minlen Haokip, Committee for Protection of Tribal Areas, Manipur (Kuki Hills), Churachandpur District – 795128, Manipur.

Reference 1: Commission’s Notice of even number dated 10.01.2025 (copy enclosed).

Sir/Madam,
Whereas the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, as per the Constitutional mandate conferred upon it under Article 338A of the Constitution of India has decided to investigate in to the aforementioned matter. Shri Nirupam Chakma, Hon’ble Member, NCST has fixed Sitting on 15.01.2026 at 12:00 P.M. in the NCST Hqrs., Court Room, 6th Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan, Khan Market, New Delhi for investigation/inquiry to be taken in the aforesaid case.

Accordingly, you are requested to appear in person for examination before the Hon’ble Member on the above scheduled date and time along with full facts and all relevant original records/documents pertaining to the case.

Please take notice that in case you fail to attend the Sitting, the Commission is at liberty to exercise the powers of Civil Court under Clause (8) of Article 338A of the Constitution of India for enforcing your attendance before the Commission.

(K.D. Verma)
Deputy Secretary

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Kuki-Zo Council Holds 3rd Governing Council Meeting

12/30/2025 01:33:00 PM No comments

The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) today convened its 3rd Governing Council Meeting at the VTI Auditorium, Rengkai, to deliberate on various agendas related to the prevailing issues affecting the community.

Constituent bodies representing different Kuki-Zo districts gathered to take part in the meeting, reflecting broad participation from across the region. The meeting is expected to discuss key concerns and chart a collective course of action on matters of importance to the Kuki-Zo people.

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