A dream called 'Kukiland'

Sapam Bheigya *

Introduction -

Manipur is one of the oldest kingdoms (Now State) of NE India. According to Prof Gangmumei Kabui, it is inhabitated by 3 major ethinic groups. They are the Meiteis, the Nagas and the Kukis. There are also some minor groups like Koms, Aimols, Chiru, Meitei Pangals (Manipuri Musilims), Nepali, Biharis, Bengalees, Marawari and Sikhs etc.

Who are the Kukis

Prof. G. Kabui, describes "The tribes of Manipur are a branch of the great Kuki-Chin family of people (History of Manipur Pre-colonial period P-5). Again, Dr R Brown states that " The Khongjai Tribes of Kukis" this important tribes of Kukis has only in comparatively recent times, come under the rule of Manipur in its entirety (Statiscal Account of Manipur-Page-47). The Khongjais, like all the Kukis, is an inveterate smoker (Brown P- 52). And they are vindictive (Walter Hamilton).

History of contacts (Rebellion)

Maharaja Garibaniwaza's period (1709-1748 A.D.)

In Manipur the Kuki were also known as "Khongjai or Khongchai" in old days. The Cheitharol Kumbaba (Royal Chronicle) records that "Humni Thangjada Chothe Payaki Hao 9 Khongjaina Phakhiye" (Page-104). It means 9 (Tribal) of Chothe Payaki have been kidnapped by the Khongjai (1742 A.D). It shows that the Kukis have become powerful by the time and started to challenge the authority of Maharaja Garibaniwaz. Garbaniwaz could not take immediate action due to pre-occupations. However, he sent his Guru (Shanti Das Gosai) in Feb, 1742 AD to subdue the Khongjais and returned after 12 days (CK-page 107).

Rebellion against : Maharaja Bhagyachandra's period (1763-1798 A.D.) 1786 A.D. the Khongjais became powerful again and did not pay tribute to the Maharaja. Then, Maharaja Bhagyachandra (Ching-thangkhomba) convened a public meeting at Khwairamband market and took oath with the public to punish the Khongjais of south west part of Manipur like - Kusu, Tuikhat and Nungkai, Tuyai etc. Many Khongjai chiefs surrendered to the king and presented gifts. In this expedition, the Tangkhuls (Luhuppa) also assisted the Meiteis (CK page-146,147).

Maharaj Gambhir Singh & Nara Singh

In 1827 AD Maharaja Gambhir Singh subdued 10 Khongjai villages on his way to Khwairakpa Irent (Barak River) Cachar Dist., Assam. (CK page-230). By this time he was one of the most powerful kings of South East Asia. His army was trained by British military's officers like David Scot. Maharaja Nara Singh also permitted "New Kukis" to settle in Manipur. They migrated from Burma ("A Brief History of Manipur'' by as Sapam Bheigya, P-166).

Maharaja Chandrakirti (1850-1886 A.D).

During Maharaja Chandrakriti's time there was the Lushai expedition (present Mizoram) 1871-72 by the British Govt. Maharaja Chadrakriti also sent an Army of 2000 (Meitei) and 1000 Khongjai and 4000 porters (Total 7000) under command of Sougaijamba Major and Kangaba Major. (C.K. Page-398).

According to R Brown, in January and February, 1872... they were all Khongjai Kukis and subjects of Manipur... settled by the Maharaja in the Thangjing range of hills (Statistical Account of Manipur - R Brown Page-56). In short the Kukis before 1891 A.D. were loyal and peaceful subjects of the Maharaja of Manipur.

Maharaja Churachand K.C.S.I (British's) Period-Kuki Rebellion (1917-19 A.D.)

During the 1st world war, the Allied forces needed Labour/Porter for construction of roads or carrying luggages & rations etc. The British Govt. collected 2000 porters from Manipur with the help of Maharaja. Again, they needed another 1000 porters. This time, the Khongjais (Kukis) protested and rebelled against the Govt.

In fact , the rebellion was led by one Meitei Chingakham Sanajaoba Singh from Kamong village, near Nambol, Imphal West. There was a rebellion by the Kukis in western, southern and eastern parts of Manipur. The British Govt. took it seriously and decided to crush the rebellion. Dr. Jangkholam Haokip noted Kuki scholar has edited a book "Colonisation, Identity and Search for Peace" a secret report on this rebellion.

This is a Military confidential report on "plan of operations against the Kuki Rebels-September, 1918, collected from British Library, London. At last, the Kukis were completely defeated & crushed by the combined Forces of the Manipur and British led by Lt General Sir HDU Keary, KCB, KCIE. The rebelled Kukis surrendered and learned a bitter lesson.

Naga-Kuki conflict

Ethnic clash between the Nagas & Kukis,- (1992-94) of Manipur. On June 3, 1992, one Onkholet Haokip of Bonzang village under Moreh police station was killed by the underground Nagas. The underground Nagas wanted to control Moreh town and were strongly against the illegal establishment of Kuki villages. In that conflict, the Kukis lost many villages and more than 600 lives . It was one of the bloodiest ethnic clashes in the history of Manipur.

Why the Kukis are angry with the Manipur Govt./People?

According to Dr. Dhanabir Laishram, a noted social scientist, Kukis wanted a lot of illegal works like poppy cultivation, manufacturing of opium, drugs, immigration of Kuki foreigners and settlement in Manipur including reserve and protected forest and non-observance of SoO rules. They wanted "Separate Administration" where they can perform the above works with impunity (Poknapham Dt. 7th July, 2023)

However, the present Govt. of Manipur led by Sri N Biren Singh is against these works. Many Kukis wanted a land where they may call their Homeland (Motherland)-"Kukiland" in India. This is only a dream- impossible in this century!

What the Meiteis wanted -

According to Dr. Dhanabir Laishram, the Meiteis wanted to prevent immigration of foreigners (Kukis from Myanmar) and settlement in the hills also. The Manipur valley area approximately 8% of the whole Manipur may be settled or purchased by the Nagas or Kukis while the 92% of the area cannot be settled or purchased by the Meiteis who wanted ST status.

Above this in my opinion, the Meiteis are angry with the Kukis for their objection in climbing sacred/holy Koubru mountain in Kangpokpi and Thangjing mountain. The Kuki militants also served quit notice to the Meitei villagers located at foot hills of Sadar Sub-division of Kangpokpi & Churachandpur Dist. and Levied heavy taxes from the Meiteis by the Kuki underground. They collect taxes from the Houses, Govt. employees, Business/shops and Bus & Trucks etc.

The spark

On 3rd May, 2023, there was a protest rally at all Dist., HQ. in the hills of Manipur against the Manipur High Court's order connected with the Scheduled Tribe status demand by the Meiteis. The rally ended peacefully in all hill district headquarters like Ukhrul, Senapati and Tamenglong etc. However, the rally at Churachandpur became violent after the rally. Then thousands of Meiteis fled from their homes; the rest is history.

How to bring peace/solution in Manipur .

1. The SoO with the Kuki militants should be abrogated or confined to their designated camps. The arms should be kept in the custody of Army Camps.

2. NRC should be implemented based on Govt. orders. The illegal immigrants (Refugees) should be kept in camps/sent back to their country (Myanmar).

3. The Kukis demand for Separate Administration should be dropped immediately.

4. No Govt. employment etc, No passport should be issued to them. It should be cancelled if issued under wrong information.

5. They should be treated as per International Law.

6. No Aadhaar card, Voter card, Ration card should be issued to them.

7. Agricultural works should be taken up immediately in their respective fields on priority basis with the help of Govt. Forces & Village Volunteers.

8. There should be no blaming each other in the offices, Educational institutions. Every individual should avoid it.

9. There were many good Kuki people who worked for the development of Manipur like Holkhomang Haokip, or H Jelshyam former CS or C Doungel, Former Minister, and Prof Laldena etc.

10. Don't believe the "Oracles" of a mirage "Kuki land" as instigated by the Drug Lords.

Conclusion -

Let us live together and progress together. We are bound to live together. Never forget what Chanakya said "you will lose everything if you can't satisfy your present half." Long live Manipur.