Lhajing 8: In a press release received from the Kuki National Organization, signed by its President PS Haokip, it is apparent that the Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) and the Kuki Liberation Army (KLA) have joined the Kuki National Organization, which is the political front of a conglomeration of most of the Kuki revolutionary groups. ‘As president of Kuki National Organisation, I am pleased to extend heartfelt felicitations to Kuki Revolutionary Army and Kuki Liberation Army/ KLO for taking the step to share the KNO political umbrella in order that we may achieve the political objectives of the Kuki people of Zale’n-gam.’ stated the release. The KNO espoused the ideology of Zale’n-gam, the restoration of Kuki ancestral land to the Kuki people. Welcoming the two new armed outfits, the KNO lead-er stated, ‘The unity of our people under KNO – engendered by and expressed through the ideology of Zale’n-gam - is the first of its kind in the last fifty-plus years. The disunity prevalent in previous years has taken a severe toll, socially and politically. However, by our joint efforts we are in the process of reversing that pitiable state of affairs. By God’s grace and by virtue of the principles inherent in Zale’ngam, today, those of us who espouse this ideology are in the process of creating history.’

The KNO leader also invited the few other Kuki armed groups still under the UPF, another grouping of some
Kuki outfits, to come forward and work with the KNO, an umbrella organization formed to engage the Government of India in political dialogue to fulfill Kuki aspirations. To quote the release, it stated further ‘I heartily welcome all the Kuki revolutionary organisations, who are still under UPF group to come forward to work with the Kuki National Organisation. KNO is an organic body forged to engage in political dialogue with the Government of India. Joining KNO does no imply any sense of inferiority or superiority, but signals a strong purpose to express our organisations’ unity for the common benefit of the Kuki people.’

The release also appealed, ‘To faithfully serve our people, I would like to formally invite the remaining members of UPF to join KNO to be a part in the talks with the GOI. Other organisations that have joined KNO are Kuki National Army, Kuki National Front (Military Council), Kuki National Front (Zogam), United Socialist Revolutionary Army, Zomi Revolutionary Front, United Komrem Revolutionary Army, Zou Defence Volunteers, Hmar National Army, Kuki Liberation Army, Kuki Revolutionary Army (United), United Old Kuki Liberation Army, and Pakan Army. Each of these organizations has formally signed a Deed of Agreement with KNO.’

In an apparent reference to the identity debate within the Kuki people, the KNO leader concluded saying, ìIt is not the time to indulge in petty squabbles over what we should call ourselves. History referred to us as Kukis, and that is how the rest of the world recognises us, which also is the only legal and documented identity and firm basis for our claim over our land and heritage. Our entire clansmen, represented in alphabetical order from A-Z:

Aimol, Anal - Vaiphei and Zou, need to come and join this noble march to politically stabilize our rightful place given to us by the Almighty God.’