Factional Violence in Northeast India: ZUF-NSCN-IM Clash Sparks Concerns

Pic Source: Imphal Times

(Afsara Shaheen)
On December 14, 2025, Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) cadre, Paogaigam Gangmei, was killed in a
gunfight with National Socialist Council of Nagaland- Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) militants in an area between Joupi and Khoirok villages, near Dolang village, under the jurisdiction of Khoupum Police Station in the Noney District of Manipur.

On December 18, 2025, the ZUF accused NSCN-IM of intimidation, exploitation, and human rights
abuses against the Zeliangrong community, demanding the immediate withdrawal of its operations from Zeliangrong areas. In a statement, ZUF said the Zeliangrong political movement has shifted to democratic and peaceful means to seek a final settlement with the Government of India, describing its formation as a historical necessity following the Zeliangrong People’s Convention to achieve a homeland for the community. While stating it does not oppose the Naga national movement, ZUF accused NSCN-IM of misinterpreting its demands to assert dominance and fuel ethnic tensions since the 1990s, rejected allegations of harassing neighbouring communities under an anti-narcotics drive, cited the killing of a ZUF cadre in the Dolang area, and called for resistance to divisive narratives and
restoration of peace and stability.

On December 1, 2024, a gunfight broke out between ZUF and NSCN-IM cadres at Longsai (Nungsai) Chingkao Part I under the Khoupum Police Station in the Noney District. No casualties were reported.

On November 28, 2024, a gunfight took place between ZUF and NSCN-IM cadres in the inter-village areas of Sangji and Dollang, under the Khoupum Police Station in Noney District. No casualties were reported.

On April 11, 2024, a suspected ZUF cadre, identified as ‘joint secretary’ Alur Chiru (48), was killed in captivity by suspected NSCN-IM cadres at Chuwangphu Nungang Village, under the jurisdiction of New Keithelmanbi Police Station in the Kangpokpi District of Manipur. The incident occurred when six to seven armed NSCN -IM cadres reportedly fire bullets after overpowering the ZUF cadre at gunpoint. Chiru died on the spot.

On March 11, 2024, an exchange of fire took place between NSCN-IM and ZUF cadres, near Zeikulong village in the Churachandpur District of Manipur. The clash resulted in minor injuries to two militants.According to partial data compiled by the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP), the formation of ZUF in 2011 has been followed by sustained factional violence with NSCN-IM. Since its inception, at least 27 armed confrontations have occurred between the two groups, resulting in 42 fatalities, including 20 ZUF cadres, 15 NSCN-IM cadres, six militants of unidentified affiliation, and one civilian killed in crossfire. In addition, ZUF has been responsible for the deaths of four civilians and two Security Force (SF) personnel. Further losses within ZUF have been recorded between February 25, 2022, and December 22, 2025, during which another 21 cadres were killed – 10 in encounters with SFs, nine in intra-factional clashes, one by unidentified assailants, and one lynched by villagers in Tamenglong District. Collectively, these figures indicate a total of 67 ZUF-linked fatalities.

This pattern of violence has persisted despite parallel political engagement between ZUF and the Government of India (GoI). Notably, the ninth round of dialogue between the two sides was held in New Delhi on December 10-11, 2025. Discussions reportedly focused on issues of Zeliangrong territorial integration across Assam, Manipur, and Nagaland, as well as the feasibility of existing administrative arrangements in addressing Zeliangrong political aspirations. According to a ZUF press release, the talks also examined demands for maximum autonomy to allow self-governance within the region, with both sides agreeing to continue deliberations toward a pragmatic settlement framework.

Earlier, on March 19, 2025, ZUF issued a public appeal for the restoration of peace in Manipur amid continuing sub-tribal violence. ZUF ‘chairman’ Jenchui Kamei criticised the proposed establishment of an NSCN-IM camp in Zeliangrong areas without GoI approval, alleging that such a presence would suppress Zeliangrong political voices across Assam, Manipur, and Nagaland. He further warned that it could facilitate extortion, illegal taxation, and other anti-social activities in Zeliangrong-inhabited regions.

ZUF has simultaneously projected optimism regarding its engagement with the GoI. On February 25, 2025, during its 15th Raising Day celebrations, the group announced progress in peace talks conducted under the Zeliangrong Statehood Working Committee. Kamei cited positive developments during the fifth round of negotiations, expressing confidence in the eventual resolution of Zeliangrong political demands.

However, the group’s commitment to non-violence has been periodically questioned. On April 6, 2025, suspected ZUF militants attacked two commercial vehicles on National Highway-37 in Noney District in Manipur, pushing them into a gorge and looting mobile phones and SIM cards, although no casualties were reported. Such incidents underscore the persistence of coercive activities despite ongoing negotiations.

Historically, some of the deadliest confrontations between ZUF and NSCN-IM occurred during the early phase of ZUF’s existence. On October 7, 2011, six NSCN-IM militants were killed and five wounded in a clash at Leishok village in Tamenglong District. Similarly, on September 25, 2012, six militants of unidentified affiliation were killed and one civilian injured during factional violence in the same district. Geographically, ZUF-linked fatalities have been confined to Assam (three) and Manipur (64), with no such incidents recorded in Nagaland to date. ZUF itself emerged on February 25, 2011, following the defection of NSCN-IM cadres who joined with elements of NSCN-K, subsequently forming the Zeliangrong Tiger Force (ZTF) as its armed wing. Jenchui Kamei remains the group’s ‘commander-inchief’.ZUF, a Manipur-based Naga group, was formed on February 25, 2011, when around 10 NSCN-IM cadres, who deserted the group with their arms and ammunition, joined up with some NSCN-Khaplang (NSCN-K) cadres. The outfit also raised an armed wing, the Zeliangrong Tiger Force (ZTF), with Jenchui Kamei as its ‘commander-in-chief’.

At its inception, ZUF articulated a political programme centred on Zeliangrong identity and territorial unity under the slogan Zeliangrong Ringtelo – ‘Long live the Zeliangrong people’. The organisation asserted its intent to protect Zeliangrong land, resources, culture, and customary habitats, while maintaining cooperative relations with other insurgent movements in the Northeast. It further stated that ZUF would strive to protect the interests of other minority groups and tribes in the region.

On February 25, 2017, ZUF clarified its political stance, stating,Our present struggle is not seeking secession from India but we are demanding a common homeland within the Union of India for the fragmented Zeliangrong territory which was divided by the British rulers and continues in independent India… The Zeliangrong United Front is ready for talks with the Government of India provided it recognizes the demand for bringing together the Zeliangrong community scattered across the North-eastern States under a single administrative unit.Subsequently, on December 27, 2022, a Cessation of Operations Agreement was signed between the GoI, the Manipur Government, and ZUF. According to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA), Representatives of the armed group agreed to abjure violence and join the peaceful democratic process as established by the law of the land. The agreement provides for the rehabilitation and resettlement of the armed cadres. A Joint Monitoring Group will be constituted to oversee enforcement of the agreed ground rules.

The UMHA described the agreement as a “significant boost to the peace process in Manipur.” Nevertheless, internal divisions surfaced shortly thereafter, with a ZUF faction rejecting the surrender of arms and cadres, and reiterating its commitment to the Zeliangrong homeland cause. The ZUF faction led by its ‘ministry of information and publicity’ (MPI) in-charge, G. Nguiba, expressed strong
condemnation of the complete surrender of arms and cadres by the Jenchui Kamei group. A statement released by Neguiba declared that the Zeliangrong movement remained “very much alive and moving ahead with renewed zeal in the right direction,” and that ZUF would continue to stand for the cause of the Zeliangrong Homeland, adding, “We will never surrender our cause nor give in to any amount of pressure from within and without.”

Despite continued engagement – including meetings with the Chief Interlocutor A.K. Mishra and multiple rounds of talks – the broader insurgent landscape remains unresolved. As with the protracted negotiations involving NSCN-IM since 1997, ZUF’s trajectory illustrates the persistent gap between dialogue frameworks and ground-level violence, reinforcing concerns over the durability and coherence of peace processes in Manipur.

Overall, the ZUF-NSCN-IM dynamic underscores the persistence of factional violence despite parallel political engagement with the GoI. Continued armed confrontations, coercive activities, and internal fractures within ZUF reveal the limited effectiveness of dialogue mechanisms in ensuring ground-level stability. The coexistence of negotiations and violence highlights unresolved disputes over territorial
authority and political legitimacy among Naga groups. As with the prolonged NSCN-IM peace process, the ZUF case illustrates how weak enforcement, factionalism, and ambiguous outcomes constrain the durability of peace initiatives in Manipur, as well as in the wider Northeast.

Author Afsara Shaheen is Senior Fellow at Institute for Conflict Management.
(The views expressed in the above piece are personal and of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Bharat Fact views.)