My dear Kuki Students of KSO, Nagaland.
First of all I thank you for inviting me to attend at your 25th General Conference which is to be held at Bongkolong village on 4th—6th February 2011. But I am deeply regretted and tender apology for my inability to attend due to my bad health. But I hope you will surely pardon me for this.
My dear Kuki students, kindly allow me to say a few words though I am not presence here physically.
The world that we are living in is constantly changing without a single stop and along with that every nation and people is also changing their political, economy and social status. No one can stop this because this is the nature of our world today. Let us look around the world and watch the changing of the world. Where is that mighty USSR today? It is gone and it won’t come back again. Once the sleeping lion—China is rising up and started threatening the world super power, USA. Some experts predicted that after 2020 China would become world super power.
We the Kuki people have to go down to the ground reality and search our future. We should not live in illusion and confusion. One thing we much acknowledge or accept is that apart from living with our Naga brothers, Kukis do not have our future. The wisdom of our fathers should not be discarded easily. When we were small and scattered our fathers had taken the right decision for our people. So they formed Kuki Tribal Union (KTU) in the early 60s with the understanding of Naga brothers and joined in NNC. Many had died while discharging their duties and many are still alive. Many Kukis thought that Nagas would drive away other peoples including the Kukis, who are now living in Naga territory after attaining their independence. This is wrong. This is not Nagas politics. I personally met with the Collective Leadership of NSCN and many senior leaders and discussed the future our people with the Nagas. They assured the Kukis that if we fight together with our adversaries as a people and share the burden while struggling for our freedom, we will live together as a people. There is no different between Nagas and Kukis. Under their able leadership the KTU was once again re-affirmed and allowed us to work hand in hand with NSCN and established our head office in Council Headquarters, Hebron.
Today, there are many scholars, intellectuals and academicians in Kuki society who do not think seriously for the future of our people. Some had shown the seeds of hatred between Nagas and Kukis and some are still campaigning against the Nagas. It would be our suicidal. Let us not forget the saying of the wise, “Where there is no vision the people perish”. Our people those who are living in the so-called Manipur state are still siding with the non-Christian Meiteis and fight against our brother Nagas. Nagas and Kukis have two common things though we are from different community. Firstly, we are Christians, and secondly we are hill people. What do we have common things with the Meiteis? They are Hindus and plain people.
Funny things are happening there in Manipur with our Kuki brothers. Many Kuki militant groups who are claiming to be the fighters for Kuki homeland are openly declared that they would firmly stand for the territorial integrity of Manipur before having even a single round of talk when arriving at an agreement--SOO (Suspension of Operation) with the Government of Manipur. Where will they establish Kuki homeland? Inside the Kangla? The whole world is laughing at us.
Therefore, let us be realistic while dealing with the future of our people. Kukis and Nagas may have many bitter events in the past but we can forgive and forget each other in the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ and become one family, because we are all His children. The Saviour and Forgiver Jesus said on the cross before He gave up his Saul, ‘Father forgive them for they do not know what they do’. Pu Lengjang Kholhou had written our history with the Nagas and had given his signature in the memorandum submitted to Sir Simon Commission with our brother Nagas in 1929. His wisdom will prevail.
Long live KSO!
Long live NSCN!
Long live Kuki-Naga brotherhood!
Kuknalim!.
( L.H. Paohao)
President
Kuki Tribal Union (KTU)
National Socialist Council Of Nagalim
In a press release, the outfit’s commander-in-chief SS Haokip appealed to both the Government of Mizoram and HPC-D to sincerely take the peace dialogue to its logical end for a lasting peace, development and harmonious co-existence among the Chin-Kuki-Mizo fraternity in Mizoram in particular and elsewhere in general.
The UKLF further appealed to the Mizoram Government and all right thinking CHIKIM people in Mizoram to extend their bit of contribution in fostering unity and fraternity among the CHIKIM group residing in the State of Manipur so that the ongoing Suspension of Operation between Government of Manipur, Government of India on one side and armed Kuki UGs under UPF and KNO and subsequent political dialogue is brought to its logical end.
~ TSE
A press release issued by its Secretary, Information and Publicity, Hangsai said that the outfit would certainly find out the truth and punish the culprits even if they fail to surrender.
~ TSE
‘The KNO bemoans such poor professionalism which reeks of sensationalism and mischief aimed at pre-emptive sabotage of discord-resolution between communities,’ said a KNO statement signed by T Stephen Kuki, its under-secretary Information and Publicity.
Stephen further said that KNO would continue to prioritize promotion of peace in the region and commit to work towards bringing about peaceful co-existence based on mutual respect between neighbouring communities in Manipur and elsewhere.
CDSU joins KSO
Lamka, Jan 18: The Churachandpur Students' Union today joined rank with the KSO in voicing dissent against the State Government’s order to appoint senior MCS officer as Executive Director of the DRDA in hill districts.
The Union is displeased to learn that the Government has adopted a parallel stand on the issue despite minutely deliberating upon it with ATSUM on 13 January and assuring a positive review of the same, CDSU said in a release.
In total contravention of the Central Government’s guidelines, the State Cabinet decision is deemed as a case of betrayal and sell-out of the concern public wishes and aspiration, it added. It further asserted that CDSU shall stand united, undeterred and shall never reverse its adopted stand. The Union also resolved to take all possible course of actions to pre-empt the assigned MCS officer from discharging its powers and duties in Churachandpur district.
Meanwhile, a separate statement of the Union said it decries the unwarranted injustice perpetrated by Manipur Police Department on the aspiring candidates for the post of Sub-Inspector and Jamedar. It is bizarre to learn that hundreds of candidates were barred from appearing in the exam, which indeed is undemocratic, unfair and unheard of, it alleged. To ensure justice and fairness on the recruitment exercise that is manifested with tacit partiality, the examination should be rescheduled for the aggrieved candidates, the Union beseeched.
KIM refutes
Imphal, January 18(HNS): Following the news item published in this newspaper about the signing of a MoU between NSCN (IM) and KNO with the involvement of certain civil organizations, the Kuki Inpi Manipur refuted the news saying that neither they nor the Kuki Nampi Palai (KNP) and the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) were involved or witness to the signing. In a press release KIM said that the three organizations have no knowledge about the signing.
“Officers who choose to ignore this request can do so at their own risk,” warned the student body clearly indicating that the responsibilities should fall on the SPF Government and the officers concerned in case any untoward incident arises out of it.
The KSO further warned that the tribal students will be constrained to resort to any means deemed appropriate in their fight for ‘what is right.’ Launching of agitation is never a favorable option; but when the SPF Government chooses to be blinded solely by political consideration and the interest of the rural mass are trampled, the tribal students are left with no choice, it said.
The student body also expressed surprise over the Chief Minister ignoring his inner voice or conscience unlike the INC President Sonia Gandhi. The Chief Minister has allowed himself to be taken in by some Shylocks in his Cabinet; thus sacrificing the interest of the ‘Aam Aadmi,’ it alleged. Any attempt to politicise the DRDA will be opposed tooth and nail, it added.
UTLA refutes
IMPHAL, Jan 17 : Reacting to a press statement issued by 28 AR and 5 AR that K Khongsai and Ngamkholal Singson were its activist and advisor, the United Tribal Liberation Army (UTLA), through a press release issued by its information and publicity secretary Anaconda, has clarified that the outfit does not have any link with the said two individuals.
Zomi Council (ZC), an apex body of various tribes based in Churachandpur district submitted a memorandum in this regard during the minister's visit to the district on Wednesday.
The memorandum urged the visiting home minister to amend the power and functions of the proposed ATS to cater to the present and future needs of the tribal people of Manipur.
“The Sixth schedule of the Indian Constitution should be extended to the existing six autonomous district councils of Manipur (hill areas) under the proposed ATS,” the memorandum said.
Meanwhile, some of the Kuki armed groups including Zomi Re-unification Organisation (ZRO) and Kuki National Front (KNF) also submitted separate memorandums to the visiting home minister in Churachandpur and Imphal.
ZRO’s secretary information and public relations Kenneth Muana in a release here expressed happiness over the home minister’s visit to their designated camp in Churachandpur district.
“The proposition made by the organisation was found to be realistic and pragmatic for which he assured to take up the matter at the Prime Minister’s level,” the memorandum said.
KNF’s general secretarey Aaron Kipgen said that he expects a positive response from the visiting minister during their follow up meeting in New Delhi soon. “We remain firm in our demand for creation of Kukiland within the framework of Constitution of India,” KNF memorandum said.
“As a matter of fact, we would like to request the government of India to recognise that the Kukis only demand those districts and areas in Manipur that are predominantly inhabited by the Kukis for the formation of Kukiland.”
Both ZRO and KNF are among 16 Kuki underground organisations that have suspeded their operations after signing a tripartite agreement with the Central and State governments on August 22, 2008.
Earlier, Home Minister had a series of meeting with the public leaders and NGO representatives at Khuga dam site in Churachandpur and Raj Bhavan in Imphal before his departure to Delhi. He also met selected members of All Manipur Working Journalists Union at Raj Bhavan here.
~ AT
The six cadres of the so called UKNLF were members of the KRA (United), taking shelter at Karbi Anglong but later they were expelled by KRA (U). Thus the UKNLF came into being, said a press release issued by the outfit’s ministry of information and public relations secretary Anaconda.
If the present trend of multiple Kuki militant groups and civil societies is not checked immediately, they would sink to another mayhem and grave disaster, it cautioned.
In another press release, the outfit informed about the expulsion of one Lt Ngamkhohao alias Haopu alias Max (27) s/o Lamkhomang of Gamphajol, Moreh for extortion of Rs 10 lakhs without any knowledge of the party’s central authority.
~ TSE
On account of slight misunderstanding that cropped up amongst the KNO armed wing, the KNA some cadres deserted the camps with arms in 3rd September, 2010 reveals the missive that express appreciation of the cadres who flooded back to the organisation unconditionally on the leadership’s appeal. The KNO also negates news reports on the formation of KLT maintaining that the said group is non-existent.
The missive signed by one Johnson, Secretary, Information and Publicity KNO as well appeals to all its cadres not to swayed off by myriad elements but to rather ever strictly adhere to the organisation’s ideology and its cherished principles until embarking on the definite destiny of attaining Zale’ngam.
~ TSE
According to a highly placed source, the emergency meeting was summoned yesterday evening started from 4.30 pm till 6.30 pm at 1st MR Banquet hall with the representatives of Kuki underground groups with the government representatives chaired by the chief secretary of Manipur, DS Poonia.
The source further mentioned that the SoO meeting yesterday evening was called in a hurry to enable the Kuki undergrounds groups under the SoO to formally make request for calling another round of tripartite meeting making opportunity of meeting with the visiting BS Bansal, Secy. Internal Security of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, Sambhu Singh, Joint Secy. NE incharge Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India who were in the state to attend the first round of tripartite meeting with the representatives of United Naga Council (UNC) which was held yesterday at DC office, Senapati.
The source further said, the sudden meeting of the SoO yesterday has discussed strategies to prevent any form of activities relating to extortions, kidnappings and threatening of the civilian populations by the cadres of the Kuki undergrounds groups which are signatory of the SoO pact.
The meeting as attended by official representatives from the Army, Assam Rifles, CRPF and BSF apart from DGP Manipur and official of the state home department.
The tripartite meeting of SoO was also attended by BS Barsal, Secy. Internal Security (MHA), Sambhu Singh Joint Secy. NE in charge (MHA) representing the Government of India.
The source further mentioned that the matter relating to early completion of the already designated camps for the cadres and timely payment of the monthly honouriums for recognised cadres and enhancement of monthly honorioum were the main proposals from Kuki underground present during meeting yesterday.
--IFP
Among others the meeting, attended by officials of the State and Central Government and leaders of various Kuki armed groups, is informed to have focused on the issue of abduction cases involving activists of Kuki armed groups and acts of violence in violation of ceasefire (SoO) ground rules.
An informed source said Government officials at the meeting conveyed strong annoyance to leader of the Kuki armed groups against the recent spate in violent activities that had resulted in loss of life.
~ TSE
In a statement, information and publicity secretary of the outfit JM Zou said that the rescued operation of Dr Singsit by NSCN (IM) is praise worthy and any party or group which are not complying with the SoO ground rules should be strictly dealt by the State and the Central forces.
Asserting that the active involvement of late Ngamlet Baite in forming new UG groups such as CNA, ZPC, KNLF was the main reason for his punishment by UKLF despite repeated warning, Zou warned that UKLF would not tolerate any group or individual indulging in such kind of act in future.
TSA condemns
IMPHAL, Dec 3: Thadou Students’ Association (TSA), GHQ has strongly condemned the abduction of Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) Dr S Singsit from his Keithelmanbi residence where he had gone to attend the funeral of his mother.
In a statement, president of the student body Nehlal Haokip described the abduction of the IFS officer who is in bereavement as very unfortunate and inhumane act.
While appealing to all concerned to shun abduction/kidnapping and killing within Thadou society in particular and among the Kukis in general, the student body has also sent its condolences to the bereaved family.
~ TSE
It was a first of its kind mass programme to rehabilitate surrendered militants, and it involved not just giving them technical or vocational skills for jobs but also imparting them behavioural and soft skills to help them adjust in states away from home — taking some to even positions in reputed companies.
A group of 128 youths belonging to the Kangleipak Communist Party (Lallumba faction) in Manipur undertook the 90-day behavioural, spiritual and technical training programme at Triveni, an ashram in Markal village near Pune, that began on August 16. Several are now placed with reputed companies or are in the process of being recruited.
Five, who got training in computers, have been hired by Tata group company Syntel. Another 33, who took mobile repairing as their subject during training, have been absorbed by Ever Electronics, an LG vendor. LG itself, besides Hitachi and Kirloskar, has evinced interest in recruiting some others.
The programme was a Union Ministry of Home Affairs initiative to successfully absorb the 128 youths in mainstream society. Several of those who surrendered were leaders of the group, who decided to give up arms disillusioned by the violence.
With Union Home Minister P Chidambaram taking personal interest in making the rehabilitation programme work, the National Skills Development Corporation, a public-private partnership under the Finance Ministry, took up the responsibility of working out the logistics. The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DONER) funded the programme, amounting to Rs 300 per day per militant.
Encouraged by its success, the ministry now plans to have more surrendered militants undergo similar programmes. It also hopes that others will be encouraged by the programme’s success to give up the path of violence.
Among the KCP militants who underwent the programme were 12 hardened members, comprising its leadership and all in their late 20s or early 30s. Rest of the cadres were mostly in their teens or early 20s. The 128 had surrendered in March following tripartite talks between the Centre, state and the KCP (Lallumba faction). “The terms of surrender included a compensation of about Rs 3 lakh per person,” Shambhu Singh, Joint Secretary (North East), MHA, told The Indian Express. Besides, they were promised a stipend during the training period.
It wasn’t quite easy to get the youths on board even after their formal surrender. The first time, after all the arrangements had been made to take them for training by train, the group suddenly refused to board. Finally, the group, which included spouses of four militants and their three infants, were handed over to the Sri Sri Ravi Shankar-founded International Association for Human Values (IAHV) by the MHA on August 6.
Escorted by security forces, they were brought from Manipur to Dimapur, the nearest railway station, in Nagaland.
The spiritual and behavioral aspects of the training were provided by the IAHV and the vocational training in trades such as information and computer technology, electrical, and AC, refrigeration and mobile repairing, by the Kohinoor Technical Training Institute. Trainers at the ashram had to also deal with addiction.
The IAHV later got them to Guwahati, where they were lodged for about three days. On the insistence of the leaders, exclusive coaches were booked at much higher costs for the 128 surrendered militants to take them to Mumbai, and then on by chartered buses to Pune.
Despite all this, the authorities ran into a problem. Many of the youths had undertaken such long train and bus travel for the first time in their lives, and fell sick.
Once the youths had settled in though, everything else fell into place. Sources said that when they were in the Army camp, they would escape in spite of the best security cover. Here, they stayed on.
~ Sinlung
Chaired by Commissi-oner (Home), the meeting of the JMG was held separa-tely with KNO and UPF, the two umbrella bodies of the Kuki UG groups which have signed SoO with the Government of India and Mani- pur, according to an official source.
Along with reviewing progress of the construction works over setting de- signated camps for armed UG cadres both under KNO and UPF, the meeting has given strong instruction for speeding up the construction work, the source disclosed.
As construction of a de-signated camp of KNO is yet to be started, the meeting also discussed on selec- tion of a site and accordingly resolved that a joint team of Assam Rifles, Police and other representatives concerned would be deputed for site selection and finalisation.
For setting up solar lighting system and water sup- ply scheme in all the designated camps as well as for construction of community halls at suitable locations, the meeting discussed that relevant projects should be worked out under Manipur Development Society so as to implement them at the earliest possible.
As construction of a de-signated camp of ZRA is also still pending, the meeting decided that a joint in- vestigation team should be deputed for preparing a pro-gress report and the same team would be pressed into the service for reviewing progress in other designated camps as well.
The source explained that there is no separate provision for the leaders in the stipend being given to the armed UG cadres by the Go-vernment of India. Every group members are being treated as cadre and they are being provided a stipend amount of Rs 3000 every month.
The stipend for the KNO and UPF cadres have been cleared till June and it is yet to be cleared for the ZRA. The fund for payment of stipend for the months of July, August and September to the cadres of KNO and UPF have already been sanctioned and the same is likely to be released very soon, the source disclosed.
All the SoO signatories UG groups are given strong instruction against violating the ground rules, source added.
~ TSE
KUKI NATIONAL ORGANISATION
GOVERNMENT OF ZALE’N-GAM
ZG/PR 02-61/08 Dated Manmasi, 15 Nov. 2010: The Kuki National Organisation welcomes the release of Daw Aung san Suu Kyi by the Military Junta of Myanmar (Burma). KNO sincerely hopes this is an event that will herald genuine National reconciliation and democracy in Burma and mark a new beginning which will usher in peace and prosperity to all its citizens, including the Kuki people.
The Kuki ethnic people have long been denied proper recognition by the Burmese Government. Their political rights as citizens of Burma have been trampled by the Military Government, and their ancestral lands have been alienated from them through the forcible displacement of their settlement with Burman settlements.
With this release of the icon of Democracy in the country, the KNO express its sincere hope that the struggle for freedom from authoritarianism will regain full momentum under her inspiring leadership; that lesser minority ethnic groups like Palaung, Wa, Lahu, Paoh and Kuki will be given equal rights to govern their own affairs over their ancestral territories in the form of federal states of the Union as part of the National reconciliation; that the military will finally be sent back to the barracks where they belong; that under her capable and just leadership, all ethnic groups of the country will march ahead in all walks of life in the spirit of mutual respect and peaceful co-existence.
KNO trusts that the political will of the Kuki people for a Kuki state under the Union will be respected and proper measures adopted by the government to give them this right as citizens of Burma.
Long live democracy! Long live Burma!
Yours faithfully,
PS Haokip
President, Kuki National Organisation
Zale’n-gam
MANMASI
“Nobody knows of his whereabouts or his situation” a statement said adding the matter is disgusting.
It said RK Meghen was held captured by the Indian Army from Bangladesh but the news itself was claimed to be baseless by his captors.
Meghen’s capture is unfortunate not just for one particular organization but also for all other who strive for the unification of Northeast under a sovereign banner.
The whereabouts of the leader should be made clear and reveal to the media for future understanding, it said.
The statement said, UTLA strongly condemns the brutality and atrocities of the Indian Security Forces against the revolutionary groups of the Northeast.
It said the UTLA sternly believes that the problems of the Northeast arising out of the struggle of what is their birthrights should be solved politically and not by brute forces.
If the Government of India tries to solve the political demands of the Northeast only through the barrel of gun then the people would shift their stand and declare that not only Arunachal Pradesh but the whole northeast is part and parcel of China, it said.
In fact, we are divided by India thus far, it said adding this was followed by a step motherly treatment.
India’s role is also inconsistent with the principles embodied in various charters of the United Nations, particularly the Right to self-determination, it added.
The Government of India should be sincere and faithful to the revolutionary groups and the people, failing which they will face another grave war the whole Northeast.
If the Government of India treats us as their people they should not play hide and seek against us when they apprehended RK Sanayaima, it said. - IFP
Joint secretary (North East) Naveen Verma of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs will take part in the talks as representative of the Central government. Chief secretary, DS Poonia will preside. Over the meeting which will be held at the Banquet hall of 1st Manipur Rifles starting from 10 am.
General Officer in Command (GOC) of 57 Mountain Division DS Hooda, Inspector General of Assam Rifles (South) CA Krishnan, Inspector General of CRPF (Manipur & Nagaland), DIG of BSF, DGP, Y Joykumar and Inspector General (Intelligence) LM Khoute are likely to take part in the scheduled meeting.
Separate rounds of meetings will be held with the UPF (United People Front) and KNO (Kuki National Organisation). The first round will begin from 10 am, the official source added.
Among others, the meetings will also review the progress of construction of designation camps, deposition of arms and ammunitions, etc. From the state government’s side, cases registered by the police regarding violation of ground rules by cadres of the signatory outfits will be discussed, the source said.
At least 12 cases of violation of ground rules by the Kuki based militant outfits under the tripartite suspension of operation (SoO) were registered with the police during the last three months since August 22, the last date of extension of the agreement, the source maintained.
Among other cases, the recent killing of a village chief in Churachandpur district by suspected United Kuki Liberation Front (UKLF) is also included. Cadres of UKLF shot dead 58-year old chief of Soheiphai village, Paokhothang Haokip on October 23 last in front of a pan shop in his village.
The matter of drafting of conditions for starting a political dialogue is also likely to discussed in the meeting. Chief Secretary DS Poonia had recently hinted of starting a political dialogue with Kuki militant groups under the tripartite agreement on Suspension of Operations (SoO) while speaking at the inaugural function of a designated camp.
The separate tripartite Suspension of Operation (SoO) with the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the United People's Front (UPF) and the Central and the State governments were signed on August 22, 2008 for a duration of one year. The agreement had been extended two times, the last one was in the last week of September this year.
Next round of talks with Kuki militants on November 10 registered with the police during the last three months since August 22, the last date of extension of the agreement, the source maintained.Among other cases, the recent killing of a village chief in Churachandpur district by suspected United Kuki Liberation Front (UKLF) is also included. Cadres of UKLF shot dead 58-year old chief of Soheiphai village, Paokhothang Haokip on October 23 last in front of a pan shop in his village.
- Hueiyen Lanpao
Hiche kinsung chun Pu T.S Haokip, Defence Secy KNO in houlimna aneichun Kuki National Organisation hi kum 22 alhinna ahitan chu in kipun khom akhoh dan akihet doh toh kilhon in 2005 kum in Kuki National Organisation kipumkhat na ahungmachal nan KNF(Z) leh KNF(MC) ahunglut masapen lhon in ahi. Chujouvin tukum 2010 in kipa umcheh in Kuki Army tha lhingset cheh KNF(S), KLO/KLA, chule KRA ama hon ahinbel toh kilhon in tunia hi KNO noiya Kuki Army 15 kiloikhom ahi tah jeh chun hitobang kipumkhat na nikho hi manpat thei ahi tia kigelkhom'a tunia hi kuki unity nikho kimang ahi ati.
Pu PS Haokip in Bible a Psalm sunga kimu bangchun sopi khat chenkhom anop kiseidan bangchun tilkhouna aneiyin ahi. Chutoh kilhonin tua namdang sunga vahmang/vaitham isopi chankhompi Kuki phabepho ahinau hetsah dinga lekhabu ajihdoh a panlahna aneidan hojong atahlang in ahi. Hitobang lunggel bulhitsah a gamsung huhbit nading le gamtum muthei nading hin Kuki Sepai jouse kipunkhom ding angaidan aseiyin chule KNO hopsunga um nailou UPF sunga nam sepai lamkai ho jengjong banjal a lemna aneijing dan jong aphongdoh in ahi. Kuki State muna dingin houlamkai ahin, mipiho ahin taonan geldoh jeng ute, chuleh pu le pa ten analo nagam jouse chu Kuki state kidel ahi atin ahi. Meilhei letna noiya Kuki chaten imacha imudiu umlou ahi, kuki State inei lou uleh khantouna umlou ding ahi, hetthei khat chu tuchung Census 2011 boina chung'a jong bailam thetía asuhthip thei u ahinlah meilhei letna noiya ium jeh un imacha muding umlou ahi tinjong aphongin ahi.
Pu Jeremy Khongsai, Secy Home KRA in houlim aneina ah, "India govt noiya Home dept. hon naki pumkhom loulai seuva hahsa ding ahi tia aseijing laiyun lunggel thuhtah akineiyin ajonan masangchun kito mona lentah analhunkha jongle lunglen keng in suhmil in akikoiyin mabanding gelnan KNO noiya kikhai khom a panlah khomding phatsahna akineito lhonin akibeltai tin aseiye. Tunia kin-gon kimanhi apatna hiding ahi, group 2 in kikhen nalai jong leuhen datmo ding ahipoi, India te chamlhat kon injong 2 in ana kikhen nai ahin mipi hon aphading pachu ana tosot uve.
Chuma banga chu kiloikhomna 2 kiso jong leuhen mipi tehon KNO atosot diuchu ginchatna kaneiye tin aphong doh in ahi. KNF (S) ahin KLO/KLA a kon ahin houlimna anei uchun kipunkhom apoimo dan atahlang un chule kuki nampi dinga phatnan ahin lonvuh tahding kinepna ahidan aphongun chule KNO in nikhat tengle nampi ngaichat chu ahinlhut diu kinepna aneidan ho aphong uvin ahi.
“The hegemony of the Indians which contradicts the tribal self determination for the motherland till its complete attainment shall be fought till our last breathe”, said a press statement issued by its General Secretary Abu Nidal.
The tribals are scattering over a vast region both in the Northeastern India and the neighbouring countries, he said and added that they inhabit in Sylhet, Somra tract, Chittagong hill tract region of Bangladesh and the region west of the upper Chindwin river in Burma now Myanmar.
Abu Nidal appealed all well wishers, sympathizers and supporters from all over the region, to put heads and shoulders together and fight united for our common cause.
He remembered that during the years from 1772-74, the Thadous with some other tribes like the Gangte, Vaiphei, Simte, Zou etc migrated to the present Lushai hills being subordinated to the Lushai chief Lallula who unified the whole tribes including the Ngente (Hmar) under him.
The customs, traditions, culture etc of these tribes were more or less the same, he added.
Abu Nidal quoted Grierson as, “Kuki is an Assamese or Bengali term applied to various tribes such as the Lushai, Hrangkhol, Thadou, Paite, Hmar, Zou, Kom, Anal, Gangte, Muyon, Monsang, Chothe, Lamkang etc.”
Thus it does not signify a particular tribe and not a single tribe ever called itself by this foreign name, he added.
On the naming of the whole tribes as Kuki, Dun writes, “The origin of the term Kuki is not certainly known; but it is said to be derived from a word applied to a system of cultivation by the Bengalese.
The whole of the wild tribe who dwelt in the mountain district contained between Bengal and Burma, Bangladesh, Cacher and Manipur and Arakan have received this designation.”
Abu Nidal said, the success of the British policy of the divide and rule was continued by the Indian political leaders.
UTLA will not and shall never bow down to the divide and rule policy of the Indian political leaders, he added.
According to an official source, G K Pillai's itinerary will consist of attending a development seminar at Hotel Classic in Imphal which will be organized by Government of Manipur aided by Department of North East Region (DONER). The seminar will delve on issue of development deficit faced by the State following unbridled stifling of naional highways while putting the people to abject hardship.
The official source, without confirming, also said that it is highly likely that the visiting Union Home Secretary will take a trip to the designated Kuki National Front’s (KNF) Ebenezer Camp at Natheljang, Sadar Hills, to inspect the arms that was deposited and locked up in a strong room following the tripartite Suspension of Operations (SoO) signed between Kuki rebel groups, the Union Government and Manipur Government.
The visit is expected to set the tone for further negotiation between the signatories of the pact as it is projected by official source as an attempt to ascertain if the Kuki rebel group which is among the signatories to the pact has been maintaining the sanctity of SoO.
Significantly, G K Pillai has visited Camp Ebenezer sometime in November/December 2009.
- IFP
They convened a meeting at least once in a month, though the agreement binds upon for a period of one year.
Yet, it can be and has been extended from time to time through mutual agreement uptill today and that there will soon be a discussion on its further extension. In analyzing the terms of the agreement, the Security Forces viz, the Army, Para-military Forces and the State police were not to launch any operations, neither could the UG groups were allowed to undertake offensive operations either by violent or non violent acts. Some of the important ground rules, set for the Suspension of Operations (SoO), signed between the Government of India (GoI), the State (Manipur) Government and the Kuki insurgent groups included the following given points: -
(i) The constituents of UPF and KNO will abide by the Constitutions of India, the laws of the land and the territorial integrity of Manipur,
(ii) They are barred from committing all kinds of atrocities and extortions,
(iii) Construction of designated camps, depositing of arms under a double locking system and financial assistance for the UGs, and
(iv) Submission of the list and recent photographs of all cadres along with their bio-data. In pursuance to this, all cadres will be issued Identity Cards etc.
The most controversial and debated agenda on the set ground rules that arose during the course of signing the SoO was ‘Maintaining Territorial Integrity of Manipur’. Many voices have been raised and discussed as the signing of the SoO involved abandoning their dream of Kukiland or Zalengam. However, Kuki Revolutionary groups under the umbrella of KNO and the UPF, in spite of the set ground rules on Territorial Integrity of Manipur, has signed the document by upholding a different perspectives. Some of the viewpoints are analyzed as under: -
First, the (Kuki insurgents and hereafter we will refer them as ‘they’) are of the view that the State/Manipur Government has nothing to loose or gain once the political dialogue got under way. Aaron, the Secretary General of the KNF in this regard has stated, “the hill areas of Manipur are not under the ambit of the State Government and that there is a specific location for establishing Kukiland within an outlined map” (TSE).
Second, they are of the opinion that prior to the British incursion on Kuki inhabited areas; the Kukis were living independently in their ancestral land, called Zale’n-gam or Kukiland. PS Haokip in his article “the Zale’n-gam and Kangleipak Equation” (www.kukination.net) has put forth that Kangleipak/Imphal valley (Manipur) which comprises 10 per cent of the present State of Manipur and Zale’n-gam (Kukiland) were in peaceful co-existence. They also claim to have begun asserting for the restoration of their ancestral land since 1917 [Kuki Rebellion, 1917-1919]. With this aim in view, the Kuki Insurgent groups’ were keen to sign the accord despite knowing the fact that the ground rules under SoO includes maintaining the territorial integrity of Manipur. Rather, they propagated that maintaining territorial integrity of Manipur has been the desire and aspiration of the Kukis since the very beginning of their movement.
Third, they are also of the opinion that, Kangleipak (Manipur) and Zale’n-gam (Kukiland) were in peaceful co-existence with mutual respect for territorial integrity and that the inhabitants vis-à-vis the Meiteis and the Kukis were living peacefully in their own respective territories without any interference in each other’s internal affairs. This may be well visualized from the events that have occurred in 1891 (Khongjom war) & 1917–1919 (Kuki war of Independence) in which the Meitei-land (Kangleipak/Manipur) and Zale’n-gam/Kukiland were subjugated and conquered successively i.e., one after another.
Fourth, they also vehemently assert that the ‘Kuki Nation’ which has a distinct ethnic and socio-cultural identity, has every right to self-determination, i.e. the freedom to decide their own future, and that would be possible only when political autonomy (self-governance) is granted to them within the fabric of the Indian Constitution.
Consequently, so far, ever since the implementation of the SoO there are no such major differences from both Government (SFs) and the Kuki insurgents till today. Though there have been some instances of misunderstanding on violation of ground rules; the killing of four cadres of KNO/KLA at Mongkot Chepu village by the personnel of 12 Maratha Light Infantry on the evening of September 7, 2009 is one such instance. Significantly, the rate of extortion, ransom, kidnapping, encounter, casualties and so on which often makes daily headlines in all local newspapers has declined considerably.
The Kukis yearn for peace and lasting solution can further be seen from the recent developments as mentioned in the agreed ground rules. Construction of designated camps like, Camp Ebenezer, Gamnom camp, Muvanlai camp, Camp Sinai, Nazareth camp and so on are completed and inaugurated. Indian Home Secretary, GK Pillai, had visited the designated camp of the Kuki National Front’s (KNF) “Ebenezer Peace Camp” much before it was officially inaugurated. Even the Deposition of arms under a double locking system has also been on the move (process).
Stage being set for political dialogue
The Kuki insurgency movement has started right from the late 80s. Since then the journey has begun with despondency and many revolutionaries have sacrificed/laid down their precious lives with a ‘Hope’. And today that is emerging with concrete hope towards the future—from ideal to objectivity.
A lot has been said and written as to whether the SoO would materialize or remain an enigma ever since it has been signed. For instance, there has been skepticism on the part of the Center and State Governments’. Commander of 59 Mountain Brigade Brig Anil Chauhan while speaking at the inaugural function of the administrative block of a designated camp built for KNF at Natheljang said that the tripartite Suspension of Operation (SoO) pact signed between the Central Government, the State Government and Kuki militant groups is now in transitory phase and no political dialogue has been initiated as yet. (TSE 28th Nov. 2009). After much hiccups, hopes and yearning of the Kuki people, the much-awaited political dialogue is on the track as most of the SoO signatories have deposited their arms. All these developments signal the beginning of a new era of bright hope for the Kukis.
The Kuki National Front (KNF), one of the oldest organizations of the Kuki armed groups took the initiative of being the first one to deposit their arms at their designated camp, EBENEZER at Natheljang, in the Koubru range of Sadar Hills. The General Secretary of the KNF maintained the fact that cadres were able to settle at one place and open a peace camp after over 23 years of struggle, which is considered a positive political step of the Kuki people. They also further appeal to all SoO signatories to do the same so that a political dialogue could be held at the earliest point of time.
Similarly, Calvin H, secretary of ZRO’s ministry of external affairs in his speech on the inauguration of ‘Camp Muvanlai’ remarked that their gesture is made as a confidence-building measure to signify their commitment to a durable and honorable political solution and to re-affirm that it believes in the goodwill and sincerity of the Government in taking forward their legitimate demands for political autonomy.
He further asserts that as we have shown that we wish to settle our political desires through peaceful means we expect reciprocal moves from the Government in the form of political dialogue.
As it has been highlighted, the main purpose of SoO is to engage in political dialogue to find a political settlement for the Kukis within the Constitution of India. The Kuki peoples’ political aspirations and Constitutional rights could be realized only with the creation of an autonomous State within the framework of the Indian Constitution. With this hope, today, the initiative taken by the Kuki insurgents has signaled their readiness for an early peaceful political dialogue.
Considering the recent positive development after the signing of SoO, the Kuki groups have reaffirmed their respect for democratic principles of the Indian Constitution. Their efforts and interests have entered into a new stage. This is definitely a breakthrough. It is also hopeful that once the dialogue begins the Government of India will show its commitment and sincerity to the democratic principles of the rule of law and good governance.
* The article is written by Ngamjahao Kipgen & Th Hethang George Haokip
*The writers can be reached at nkipgen@gmail.com & hethangmu@gmail.com
