Founding History
Tangkhul Shanao Long (TSL) was founded in 1974, born out of the collective vision and determination to fight against the injustice inflicted against women and children and the gross violation of human rights committed by the Indian army in our territory.
Traditionally, women are known as “PHAKHREILA or PUKREILA” which means “Peace keeper” in Tangkhul language. Their peace emissaries extend beyond the tiny village republic and are respected by the society. Morung is the only traditional institution where they imparted their live skills from. Women folk, clad with kongsang and zeithing, gracefully carry out their farming activities without any threat and no one dares to harm them until the arrival of Indian army. The tranquillity of their peaceful existence was disrupted by the Indian army combing operation.
- Proto Credit: Number 1 Photo Studio
Indian armed forces; each day people endured tortures, unimaginable brutality and violation of their rights. In one of such incidences, the 95th Border Security Force (BSF) committed mass rape from one village to another in Kamjong area for a week long and the ordeal reached Kumram village on the 4th of March 1974. One of the victims was Miss Rose; a 19 year old girl who was betrothed for marriage, she couldn’t bear the brutality and loss of her chastity and gave up her life, leaving a clear message to the world to end the atrocities and injustice against women.
Following this, a mass gathering took place in protest joined by entire Tangkhul Community. Recognizing the need for a unified voice to address the issues faced by women; these trailblazers thus formed the Tangkhul Shanao Long on 8th May 1974. And each year till today, 4th March is commemorated as TSL Day of Prayer.
The formation of TSL inspired other communities to form their own women’s platform in the region. In our early years, we focused on grassroots initiatives, such as literacy programs, health camps, and small-scale economic projects, which laid the foundation for our future endeavors. As our organization grew, so did our scope and impact and began collaborating with other community organizations, government bodies and NGOs to amplify our efforts and reach more women.
Over the decades, we have achieved numerous milestones, including the establishment of women’s network and cooperatives, an archive of our handlooms, the introduction of scholarship programs for young girls, and the creation of platforms for women to engage in cultural and political discourse. Our advocacy work has led to significant policy changes that have improved the lives of women in our tribe.
Today, the Tangkhul Shanao Long stands as a testament to the resilience, strength and unity of the Indigenous women in our community. We continue to evolve and adapt to the changing needs of our community, always guided by our founding principles and the unwavering spirit of our members.
Join us as we continue our journey towards a future where every woman is empowered, respected and celebrated.