Kuki State Demand Committee General Strike from May 12 till 15, 2012
10th May, 2012
> The Kukis have glorious history and distinct customary administrative system.
> Before the advent of the British in our region, we were free and independent.
> In 1917 our forefathers fought the British to protect our land and freedom continuously for three years and then willfully joined Indian National Army (INA) in its fight to throw them away from our land.
> When India attained independence, smaller kingdoms were merged with the Union while the Kukis and our lands didn't merged. We observed GOI hoping to reward us for the supreme sacrifices we contributed in the struggle for independence and no reward came forward. It led us to demand for a separate Kuki State on 24th March 1960 in the General Meeting of Kuki National Assembly (KNA) with a memorandum submitted to the then Hon'ble Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru and assurance was given to the Kuki Leaders.
> Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) had submitted numerous memoranda for creation of separate Kuki State under the Indian constitution with special provision to protect our traditional Institution and Customs in conformity with democratic governance and promotions of the welfare of Kuki people were unresponded.
> As such, in continuation with the genuine demand, the KSDC is formed to pursue GOI to fulfill our long standing rightful and justified demand.
> Consequently, to draw the attention of GOI Bandh was called and Peaceful Public Rally was staged in all the Kukis inhabited areas last year 2011. But GOI remains mute spectator.
> As such, to reiterated its demand for immediate settlement of the Kuki people's long standing demand for self-determination within the constitutional framework, the KSDC is compelled to launch another agitation in the form of:
i) General Strike from 6:00 pm of May 12, 2012 to 6:00 pm of May 15, 2012 and
ii) Economic Blockade and banning of government offices and activities from 6:00 pm of May 15, 2012 to 6:00 pm of May 19, 2012 shall be enforced.
(Only Media and Medicals are exempted from the purview during the agitation)
(10th May 2012)
K. Khongsai Spokesperson, KSDC
* This Press Release was posted on May 10, 2012.
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