Dear Respected Tani Leaders,
We write to you today with a heavy heart, filled not with anger, but with deep pain and confusion. We write to our Tani brothers and sisters, seeking to understand: Why is there so much opposition to us, the Nagas, standing united? What have we done to deserve this treatment? For generations, we have walked side by side, as fellow indigenous people, enduring the same struggles, facing the same challenges. Yet now, when we try to affirm our identity and stand together, we face resistance from those we considered family. Why?
As Nagas, we have always looked at the Tani people with respect and kinship. We share this land, this history, and many of the same struggles. So why does it seem that you view our unity as a threat? Why can’t you find peace in seeing the Naga people coming together? We have never tried to divide you, so why do you seek to divide us?
Even within the Tani community, there is so much internal strife. Your own brothers, the Mishing people, face threats of being cast out, discriminated against, treated as lesser by their own kin. Yet, despite the challenges we Nagas face, we hold tight to one another. We do not turn on our own. We stand united, not because we are perfect, but because we understand that unity is our strength. We pray that one day, the Tani people will find that same strength within your own community. But why must our unity cause you discomfort? If your house is divided, why tear apart ours? What harm have we done to you?
We ask you, where were the Tani leaders when the people of Tirap, Changlang, and Longding (TCL) were suffering? When we endured human rights abuses, discrimination, and isolation from the rest of Arunachal, where was the Tani voice? There was silence when we needed solidarity. There was no support when we were treated unjustly, when we were marginalised by others in Arunachal. Yet now, as we rise together to claim what is rightfully ours, there is resistance. You settle outsiders in our lands, diluting our presence, turning us into a minority in our own homeland. Why this hostility towards us, your fellow indigenous people?
TCL is rich in resources, yet our people live in poverty. Our contributions to the state are immense, yet we receive so little in return. This is why we ask for autonomy—not to separate ourselves out of hatred or malice, but to secure a future where our people receive their fair share, where we are no longer marginalized. Do we not deserve that?
We have never held hate in our hearts for the Tani people. This letter is not written in anger but in a plea for understanding. We appeal to those in organisations like AAPSU—please, do not seek to divide us. Respect our desire to stand as one Naga people. You may hold the majority in Arunachal, with Tani being almost 90% of the state, but that should not give you the right to undermine our identity, our unity, our history. Legislation that tries to fracture the Naga family will only bring more division and hurt.
We are not asking for much. We only want to be allowed to live in peace, to stand together as we always have. We Nagas have always seen the Tani people as part of our broader family. Even now, we extend our hand in brotherhood. But why is that hand met with hostility? Let us stand together, not divided.
We all share the same responsibility in preserving our culture and identity. The children of both the Naga and Tani people are losing their languages. Our beautiful indigenous languages are being eroded by the spread of Hindi. Should we not be working together to promote our mother tongues in schools, to ensure that our cultural heritage is not lost? English has its place in the global world, but it should not come at the cost of losing our identity. Let us unite in this effort instead of sowing division.
And while we are speaking of unity, we also must address the presence of non-APST (Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribes) individuals who have overstayed their Inner Line Permits. These outsiders threaten the very fabric of our communities. Yet, instead of standing together to address this, we find ourselves divided. Why?
We know that the Tani people are a majority in Arunachal, but this should not be a tool to dominate or silence the minority. We, the Nagas of Arunachal, are in the minority in this state, yet our voices are just as important. Please do not use your position to pass laws that seek to weaken us, that seek to break the Naga family apart. We ask you, with sincerity, to respect our wishes, our identity, and our unity.
Let us remember that we are all part of this land. Tani, Naga, Monpa—we are all indigenous people of Arunachal and the Northeast. Our ancestors walked these lands long before modern borders divided us. Let us work together for the future of our people, our children, and our cultures.
This is a heartfelt plea from your Naga brothers and sisters. We do not want division, but unity. We do not seek conflict, but peace. Let us stand together, not as enemies, but as family.
Kuknalim!
Jajin Ja to you all!
Clara Langching
Director Media and Press
The Wesean Naga Students’ Union
Estelle Sankey
Education Secretary
The Wesean Naga Students’ Union