Kuki solution echoes in Kangpokpi rally, memorandum submitted
Source: The Sangai Express
Kangpokpi, October 30 2019:
Ahead of the proposed signing of final pact between the Government of India and NSCN-IM tomorrow, and to consider the situation of the Kukis in the true spirit of 'Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas', the Kukis across the country including in Manipur took out a mass rally demanding the Government of India to strike a final deal in the presence of Kukis' emissaries.
Reaffirming its stand on Indo-Naga Framework Agreement, Kuki Inpi Manipur had directed all its constituent units to organize a sit-in and mass rally in all Kuki dominated areas in the State and following the directive, Kuki Inpi Kangpokpi District also held a mammoth public rally today at Kangpokpi DHQs.
Thousands of Kuki people across Kangpokpi mostly donned in traditional attire congregated at Brig M Thomas Ground, Kangpokpi this morning at around 11am where the mammoth rally was kicked off amidst tight security from Kangpokpi Police and Assam Rifles.
Sit-in protests were also staged at Saikul Hill, Phailengmol, New Keithelmanbi, Kangchup, Saparmeina, Motbung, T Waichong as directed by Kuki Inpi Kangpokpi District under the banner, "Ink final pact with UPF and KNO (emissaries of the Kuki people)".
The rallyists at the mammoth public rally at Kangpokpi DHQs hold placards that read "Expedite Kuki political solution", "Kuki want Territorial Council, We want it now", "Strike and honourable solution in the form of Territorial Council", "TC for Kukis is long overdue, it's now or never" etc.
Similar placards were also displayed in all the sit-in sites.
The almost 2 hours long rally culminated at DC office Kangpokpi where a memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister was submitted to the Deputy Commissioner after rounding the district headquarters via National Highway 2 and Inter Village Road.
The Kuki Inpi Manipur in its memorandum to the Prime Minister said that it acknowledge the commendable works done by the BJP Government across the length and breadth of the country that resulted in the unprecedented growth and improvement in the quality of life.
It mentioned that Kuki people, prior to the invasion of British colonialism, enjoyed complete freedom over their territory with no external interference.
The Kukis in defence of their alleged land and freedom revolted against the mighty British Imperial power during 1917-1919, it alleged.
"Today the Kukis have been socially, politically and economically marginalised and have been rendered as a third class citizens even in their own land.
They have also been even threaten with total annihilation during the 1992-94 in which more than 1000 innocent civilians were killed and more than one lakh Kukis were displaced and 360 villages totally uprooted by NSCN IM.
Heavy loss of lives and parts of territory at the hands of NSCN IM has resulted in a serious deprivation over the last several years.
This predicament primarily prevails because the Kukis were never given appropriate political recognition in respect of their ancestral lands and distinct identity," it alleged and added that the impending Naga solutions has also sparked fear that vast territory of their land will be included in the Naga integrated land.
It continued that the Kukis can't forget the ethnic cleansing carried out by the NSCN IM and any attempt to pamper the NSCN-IM at the cost of the Kukis' land and political interest will not be tolerated and may lead only to violent uprising.
The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) then urged the Prime Minister to consider the situation of the Kukis before finalization of the Framework Agreement and establish a strong political institution so that the Kukis as an indigenous people of India can govern their own affairs.
Meanwhile, Thangminlen Kipgen, president of KSO Sadar Hills said that their demand for Kukiland Territorial Council is not only a justified demand but a constitutional, a legal and a demand which need urgent solution.
"Thuingaleng Muivah also made an attempt to erase our history but it is something God's given that cannot be erased by any community whatsoever," he asserted.
Comment
