TODAY -

Excerpts from the 1958 : Kuki Tribal Chiefs' Memorandum to the Union Home Minister

Yenning *



On 31st July 1958, "some" Kuki Chiefs submitted a memorandum to the Union Home Minister of India through the Chief Commissioner of Manipur (JMN Raina, IAS), who was visiting Imphal. Thirteen chiefs signed the memorandum.

1. Replacement IFAS (Indian Frontier Administrative Service) cadre officers by local officers in Manipur : Six IFAS from the Defence Forces are manning key posts of Deputy Commissioner, Additional Deputy Commissioner, the Sub-Divisional Officers of the tribal areas and Assistant Political Officers i/c Tribal Development.

These officers do not have adequate training in legal and judicial matters and do not know the local language and tribal customs, traditions and mode of living. Therefore, they must be replaced by local officers.

2. Appointment to Government Posts: The Manipur administration lacks proper rules and regulations regarding the selection and appointment of aspiring candidates to Government posts and fails to adhere to rules even if they exist. We condemn the selection of A Daiho as one of the 20 youth farmers sent to the USA from India for agricultural training.

Daiho was the first President of Free Naga State when the Britishers transferred power to India in 1947. He sowed the seeds of discontent and enmity among various tribes inhabiting the Manipur hills and canvassed for the support of the Naga hostiles whenever he went to the hills of Manipur. All the lawlessness in certain parts of Manipur is the inevitable outcome of his activities against the State.

3. Moreover, he was also said to have contributed Rs 4000 in cash to further the cause of Naga Rebels, and there is nothing yet to show that he has undergone a change in beliefs and ideologies.

His presence in the USA when India has taken a stand on the Kashmir and Naga problem is extremely undesirable and dangerous at this critical time, especially when the Nagas problem still remains unresolved. The Naga rebels have still been making persistent efforts to have their case heard at the United Nations, for a man as fickle as he is may as well be the spokesman of the Naga rebels in the USA.

4. Appointment of Chief Secretary: The officer holding the post of Chief Secretary, coming as he always is, on deputation from outside Manipur, has to serve only for a fixed period, which rarely extends to more than three years at a time.

This fixed term of office is too short and inadequate to enable him to have some knowledge about the similarities and differences in customs, practices, culture, tradition, history, desires, aspirations, needs and requirements of the people of Manipur. And thus, he cannot carry out his duties efficiently for the good and progress of the people of Manipur. Therefore, the senior, experienced, efficient and industrious local officer already in the Secretariat should be promoted to the post of Chief Secretary.

5. Reservation of Posts in the non-Gazette Class III & Class IV Services for the Scheduled Tribes: The reservation of 20% of the post in the non-Gazetted Class III and IV services for the Scheduled Tribes of Manipur is put into effect only at the time of recruitment.

The reservation should be put into effect department-wise, and a tribal should not be disqualified because there are better-qualified men than him. Finally, 20% reservation be given in both Class III & Class IV Services separately.

6. Exclusion from the Operation of the Village Authority Act, 1956: The Act ignores Kuki's ways of life in villages and imposes upon them something entirely foreign. It reduces the Village Chiefs to a state of impotence. It lacks definiteness and clarity. The Act makes Manipuri a compulsory language for the proceedings of the Village Councils. In contrast, the language of Kukis is Thadou Kuki.

Finally, appeals against the decisions of the village authorities have to be filed in Imphal. Therefore, the Act must be amended to the effect that the Act should not apply to the Kukis and a separate Act, if felt necessary, be enacted for the Kukis after a careful and minute study by the Government of our customary laws and rules and in consultation with the Kuki public leaders, to suit and coincide with our own way of living and customary laws which are quite distinct from that of other tribes of Manipur.

7. Forest Reserve: Your honour might be aware that Manipur has an area of over 8600 square miles and that more than 90 per cent is covered with forests spreading all around the Imphal Valley, which has only an area of roughly 700 square miles.

Now, within the space of a few years, all these forests have been one after another converted into 'Forest Reserve' irrespective of their location, proximity to means of communication in total disregard to the well-being of the tribal people and against the surging spirit of the age of modern concept of 'Welfare State' ostensibly to increase revenue of the State but in reality to harass the poverty-stricken tribal people into utter subjection and now the very existence of the tribals is threatened and their economic life kept at a standstill.

The Chiefs further contended that the tribal people have lived in forests since immemorial. They use their produce and also use them for 'Jhoom' cultivation. They further stated that more and more forests are converted into 'Forest Reserve' threatening the very existence of the tribals.

The reservation of forests should be scrapped, and the free use of forest products should be restored; should any tribal want to sell the forest products, let him be allowed to do so on toll payment at the toll gates.

8. Eviction of Nepalis who entered Manipur from outside : Some 3000 Nepali families have purchased land from the local tribals and are driving them out. Therefore, we demand that the Manipur administration take necessary action against these Nepalis and evict them immediately. In the event of the Administration's incapacity to take effective action against these Nepalis, we should be legally authorized and empowered to drive them out.

9. Treatment of Kukis as Political sufferers and payment of grants: The recent grant of Rs 500 each to several political sufferers of Manipur in May 1958 belies the fear and suspicion that the Government of India has totally forgotten and ignored those who have undergone great suffering, tribulation and even death for the cause of India's freedom.

It is, however, sad and disappointing to note that not only none of the Kuki chiefs and elders who waged war against the Britishers during the Kuki rebellion of 1917-19 and who rendered valuable assistance to the Indian National Army during the World War II was among the recipients of these grants, but even their exploits in these wars have been forgotten.

But now these facts of history have become so twisted and distorted that the wars the Kukis fought against the British are forgotten and insignificant and not at all a freedom struggle launched by Gaidilu (Nagani) not only has earned her an honoured place among the famous Indian fighters for freedom but also her a monthly pension of Rs 75.

Truly speaking her struggle was directed against the neighbouring Kuki Villages and not against the Britishers. Mention also must be made that Kuki Chiefs formed an association called the "Kuki Political Sufferers Association" and submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister of India in 1958 demanding (1) Relief in the shape of cash grants of Rs. 200/- in each case (2) Erection of war memorial in the heart of Imphal to commemorate the memory of Kuki martyrs; and (3) Inclusion of their activities in the freedom struggle of India.

10. Non-establishment of Special CD & NES Blocks in Kuki Areas:The grievance is that no Kuki areas have been covered by NES blocks, and no Kuki village has benefitted from the Tribal Welfare Fund. Therefore, all these discrimi-nations, malpractices and injustices against the Kukis must immediately be done away with so that all communities may march side by side in peace towards a better and happier India we envisaged.

11. Separate Kuki District: We also feel that the ultimate remedy to all our troubles lies solely in our having a separate district of our own, and so we reiterate once again our demand for a separate district so that we may become equal, free, unoppressed and useful citizens of India and we beg to bring to your kind remembrance the fact that a memorandum to this effect had been submitted to you when you last visited Shillong in 1957.

The Chief Commissioner or the Union Home Ministry received a horde of memorandums from the Kukis in successive years. The concerned authority made a series of "notes" on these representations. We will share these "notes" after our publication (excerpts) of another important memorandum submitted by the Kuki National Assembly in 1959.


* Yenning wrote this article for The Sangai Express
The writer can be contacted at hoiyenning(AT)proton(DOT)me
This article was webcasted on 21 September 2023.



* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • Relief Materials @Sawombung : Gallery
  • Violence in Manipur 2023 :: News Timeline
  • December Calendar for Year 2023 : Tools
  • Manipur champions 29th Natl Thang-Ta
  • Rollback of Kangpokpi District
  • India's G20 Presidency & multilateralism
  • 8th eNorth East Award 2023
  • Politics over dead bodies
  • The darker side of Kuki CSOs
  • Sagol Kangjei Esei #1 : Gallery
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2023 #5: Gallery
  • Petition to Rectify UN PR surpasses 100000
  • Workshop : Integration of Social Change
  • Homemade face packs with honey
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • Where have the guns come from ?
  • Securing future for the next 1000 years
  • Oinam Chaoba Devi: Sepak Takraw : Gallery
  • Mirik Memories
  • Program Explores Gender & Mental Health
  • Ensuring proper sanitation as careers
  • Purul Paoki (Paddy Plantation) #2 : Gallery
  • Young Adulthood: A Blank Canvas
  • Demand for Naga Flag, Constitution are hurdle
  • Meitei Alliance officially launched [Upd]
  • Indian fisheries : The sunrise sector
  • The descent of Radha-Krishna #12: Download
  • 6th NE Fashion Week : Final Report
  • Misuse of medicines is making infections ...
  • A unique initiative by Coal & Lignite PSUs
  • Relief Materials @Moirang : Gallery
  • Plant disease management in organic farming
  • AMEA - 40th foundation day
  • HPV Vaccination Services launched
  • 40th Foundation Day AMEA : Gallery
  • 43rd Foundation - Manipur Women's college
  • Is Myanmar on the brink of 'breaking apart'
  • Guideline for preparation of UPSC exams
  • Art Exhibition: RKCS Art Museum #3 : Gallery
  • Growing call to find all TB to stop TB
  • Ethnic strife in Manipur :: Poem
  • Meitei 'Tribal', almost ST now
  • Honouring tribal tradition and pride
  • Questions on sticking to SoO
  • Pinning hopes on justice delivery system
  • Naga-Kuki Clash 1992-94
  • Volcanoes of India
  • Climate in 2023, a tipping point for crisis
  • Day 3: 6th NE Fashion Week
  • Photography & Creative Writing Contest
  • Time to go after the big fishes
  • Political insensitivity to suffering of citizens
  • Interview : Ayekpam Maipak (Sepak Takraw)
  • Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival
  • Technologies in veterinary extension services
  • National Integration & Social Harmony
  • Paradox of ignorance & quest for knowledge
  • More than sighting a flying object
  • Seeking central help to end conflict
  • Relief Materials @Phubala : Gallery
  • Adolescence Crisis
  • European Higher Education Virtual Fair
  • Day 2: 6th NE India Fashion Week
  • Will govts firewall health from Big Tobacco
  • Missed call campaign from MTU
  • Questioning the legitimacy of Kuki history
  • The descent of Radha-Krishna #11: Download
  • For Whom the Bell Toll ?
  • Cancer Awareness at Imphal East
  • Winter Relief for IDPs at Moirang
  • Licypriya to miss UN Climate in Dubai
  • Careers related to controlling diabetes
  • Relief Materials @Sawombung : Gallery
  • Those responsible for 'removal' of RN Ravi...
  • Relief Distribution at Sawombung
  • JAC against Brutal Killing of Birchandra
  • National Lok Adalat at Lamphelpat
  • India's UPI: Global front-runner in digital
  • The ill-logic of ITLF's self-rule declaration
  • Frustrated call for 'self rule'
  • Sonia Khundrakpam: Yuva Puraskar Award
  • Moirangthem Nilamani: Lifetime Achievement
  • The Power of Poppy - 9 :: Poem
  • Maipak Inka: 1st Inpui Christian Convert
  • Cancer Awareness & Screening at Thoubal
  • World Diabetes Day 2023
  • The self-rule ultimatum of ITLF
  • Debate over ST for Meiteis demand
  • Designate Moreh as a Special Admin Zone
  • Relief Distribution at Keibi Heikakmapal
  • Black Rice & Glycemic Index
  • Innovative nanofertilizer for green agriculture
  • Art Exhibition: RKCS Art Museum #2 : Gallery
  • Surviving Pre-adolescence
  • Ride Against Narco Conspiracy
  • 15th Manipur State Film Award 2023 Results
  • In the stillness of night :: Poem
  • Skincare essentials for travellers
  • Dark Diwali & Fasting Chakkouba
  • Killing two birds with one stone ?
  • Morning : Mera Houchongba #1 : Gallery
  • Ningol Chakouba Funds to Support IDPs
  • A book & a story for the kids
  • World Diabetes Day - 2023
  • Burning hay is suicidal for farmers
  • NCC Car Rally - Nagaland Leg
  • Tasks before the Government
  • The sound of silence - missing teens
  • Tangkhul legends & Tenimiyas
  • Catch them Young! Early Childhood
  • Merciless November :: Poem
  • Free Eye Camp on diabetic retinopathy
  • Ningol Chakkouba or Chakkoudaba
  • Internal displacement, not separation
  • An indication to road ahead
  • Manipuri Student in Bangladesh : Gallery
  • Meeting with SABF, NID & CCU Taiwan
  • Livelihoods Development Program for IDPs
  • NSUD Diamond Jubilee Celebration at Delhi
  • Sleep :: T Lingcholi Sangtam
  • Disaster Management as Career
  • Mass rally demanding NRC #2 : Gallery
  • Licypriya appears in CBSE textbook
  • Mapam Lamdam Chatnatha :: Poem
  • Absurd rebuttal of Shimray
  • Rebuttal to article "Meitei's exclusion"
  • Writing India's growth with logistics efficiency
  • A place of pride on the medals tally
  • Time for India to rethink on its balancing act
  • Promoting Chakhao : Manipur's Black Rice
  • Truly powerhouse of sports : Manipur
  • Scholarship for Nursing & Paramedical
  • Legal Services Day & Commendation
  • Cancer Awareness at MU
  • Digital Library for the benefit of students
  • Drop the two Ministers
  • The bane of prolonging internet shutdown
  • Interview with Shanglakpam Nilakanta
  • Successful fruiting of Thailand Yongchak
  • 5 selected to attend 54th Intl Film Fest
  • Know your pest : Spiralling Whitefly
  • Flagging off ceremony of Mobile Van
  • World food India 2023 & beyond
  • Disturbing writings on the wall
  • At odds with the SoO pact
  • Guard of honour: Anand Kumar #2 : Gallery
  • Relief Services @Serou : Gallery
  • 6th North East India Fashion Week
  • Know more about canine parvovirus
  • Preventing Exploitation of Environment in War
  • Missing : The thread that connects
  • The right way to deal with miscreants
  • Hope Fest, for people displaced #2 : Gallery
  • The Power of Poppy - 8 :: Poem
  • Tokhu Emong: Post Harvest Fest of Lotha
  • Mizoram: AAP leaders from Nagaland ..
  • Theatre Workshop & Book Review
  • Hand-over Moreh to Army
  • Manipur needs to come to her senses
  • Capitalising on Manipur crisis
  • Mass rally demanding NRC #1 : Gallery
  • The Sentinelese, World's Lonely Tribe
  • Mental Health and our Environment
  • Condemns Committee's Highhandedness
  • Beauty tips for the perfect Diwali look
  • Lying for a lost cause
  • Is internet ban the answer ?
  • The descent of Radha-Krishna #10: Download
  • The last gaze- makes millions weep :: Poem
  • Which is responsible- greed or grievance
  • Felicitation of Awangbow Newmai
  • Let's safeguard our heritage through AV
  • Garo Language in Eighth Schedule
  • Mera Houchongba #2 : Gallery
  • Time's ceaseless voyage :: Poem
  • Vegetable/ fish IFS by using water tank
  • World Food India 2023
  • Leap for higher education in India
  • Defang the militants
  • Decoding objection to state force deployment
  • Guard of honour: Anand Kumar #1 : Gallery
  • Meira Paibis- between violence & narratives
  • Winter Relief Services : Gallery
  • Meetei ST Status: An artificial Controversy
  • The Human Mind Unravelled :: Review
  • Detecting illegal immigrants
  • Who is responsible for death of Moreh SDPO
  • Ayekpam Maipak (Sepak Takraw) : Gallery
  • Condemn cowardly killing of Moreh SDPO
  • SC Jamir recalls encounter with BK Nehru
  • Veganism- big way to save environmental
  • The essence of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas
  • Time to act with an iron fist
  • Dragging on for nearly 180 days
  • Water as cultural symbol of Meiteis
  • Condemn the brutal act at Moreh
  • The Power of Poppy - 7 :: Poem
  • Tuesday holiday not Friday !
  • Relief at Temporary Shelter Home
  • Ningthamtha changlakpagi relief camp
  • The politics of conflict : Why is AR here ?
  • Role of fringe elements in prolonging crisis
  • Chaga Ngee: Age-Old festival of Liangmai
  • Kolkata, the Roshogolla City
  • Breast Cancer Awareness at Khwairamband
  • Career for women in police
  • What to do when your dog is poisoned
  • Ensuring rule of law matters more than ever
  • Mind your common sense: Carcass in Loktak
  • Bor khoiramba @Hiyangthang #2 : Gallery
  • When will we start caring for our caregivers?
  • For those who stood :: Poem
  • Meetei exclusion from ST- queer controversy
  • Visit to relief camps : Gallery
  • Signature campaign: Rectify UN press release
  • Winter Relief @ Kakching : Gallery
  • Tarpon chaklen @Andro #1 : Gallery
  • 4th Rongmei Freshers' Meet (Delhi)
  • Shanglakpam Nilakanta (Hockey) : Gallery
  • Rally against Narco-Terrorism #4 : Gallery
  • Students Murder Protest [Sep 27] #3 : Gallery
  • Students Murder Protest [Sep 26] #3 : Gallery
  • Help for injured students : Gallery
  • Collective fund for injured students
  • Students Murder Protest [Sep 27] #2 : Gallery
  • Students Murder Protest [Sep 26] #2 : Gallery
  • Students Murder Protest [Sep 27] #1 : Gallery
  • Protesters & AR @Pallel #2: Gallery
  • Rebuttal: EGI Fact-finding Mission Report
  • List of Kings of Manipur: 33 - 1984 AD
  • Model of Spelling-bee Competition
  • HSLC 2023 :: Top 25 Rank Holders
  • HSLC 2023 :: Subject Topper
  • HSLC 2023 :: Full Result
  • HSLC 2023 :: Compartmental Result
  • HSLC 2023 :: Pass % : Govt Schools
  • HSLC 2023 :: Pass % : Private Schools
  • HSLC 2023 :: Pass % : Aided Schools
  • HSE 2023 Toppers :: Science
  • HSE 2023 Toppers :: Arts
  • HSE 2023 Toppers :: Commerce
  • From May 3, 1993 to the present
  • COVID-19 : Impact in Manipur :: News Timeline