KNO demands non-inclusion of Kuki ancestral land in NSCN (IM) Framework Agreement
Source: IT News

Imphal, December 16 2018: The Kuki National Organisation has urged the Chief Minister of Manipur for non-inclusion of Kuki ancestral lands in the NSCN (IM) 'Framework Agreement' .

The historical account of our ancestral lands with respect to Chassad (Kmjong), Laijang (Tamenglong), Mongkotjang (Noney) and Phoibung (Senapati) is being claimed by the KNO to be the ancestral land of Kuki .

A memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister of Manipur stated that the Kuki Land should not be covered under the Frame work agreement of the NSCN IM.

Regarding Chassad (Kamjong), the KNO stated that in AD 33, two Kuki chiefs, Kuki Achouba and Kuki Ahongba were allies of Pakhangba, the Meitei king.

Khaba-Nangba, the younger twin brothers of NongbaLairen Pakhangba contested the right to ascend the throne.

Having failed, the brothers fled to the Highlands, the abode of Kuki, known to Meitei as Chingburoi.

The descendants of Khaba-Nganba settled at HundungKhullen and HundungKhonou and Ningthi, which is in Kamjong district.

In 1985, NSCN (IM) and PLA met at Hundung, where they feasted and exchanged gifts.

For the record, our Meitei brothers must not confuse Tangkhul and the descendants of Khaba- Nganba.

Tangkhul people are from Somra Tract in Myanmar (Burma) and are a different ethnic entity from Meitei and Kuki.

Hundung Khullen, Hundung Khunou and Ningthi constitute Kamjong, land of Chingburoi, where Khaba-Ngaba settled.

These areas must not be included in the NSCN (IM) and Government of India 'framework agreement' and become part of Nagalim.

Besides the New Kukis, the other kindred Old Kuki clans people of Chassad are Mongmi and Kharan (both ethnically Maring), Lairam (Lai people) and Kharam.

The Tangkhul people from Somra Tract in present-day Myanmar (Burma) often raided Mongmi, Kharan, Kamo, Lairam (Lai people) and Kharam, who were then protected by the chief of Chassad and received tax and tributes.

Regarding Laijang (Tamenglong) and Mongkotjang (Noney) the KNO stated that The Zeimi, Liangmei, Rongmei and Paomei people, who comprise Zalienrong of present-day Tamenglong are of ethnic Kuki-Chin stock.

In days gone by, the Sukte Poi and Lusei people of Chin Hills and present-day Mizoram drove them to Churachandpur, Tamenglong and Sinjol, Sailhem and Bombal villages of Peren District of Nagaland.

The Kuki chiefs, prominently Pu JamchungnungSingson chief of Khongjang and his son Pu NgullenSingson; chief of Jampi, and chief of Laijang fought back Sukte Poi and Lusei, and gave shelter to Zaliengrong people and settled them in Kuki ancestral land, and received tax and tributes.

Pu Manga Singson narrated the bravery of his grandfather, the Chief of Khongjang, whose army consisted of 80 strong bachelors aged 50 years, plus hundreds of young men.

They fought the Suhte Poi and Lusei people at GALKAPKOT, situated in south Churachandpur district of Manipur.

Over the years, however, generations of Zaliengrong that followed, not recalling the relations with Kukis resented the practice of tax and tributes, and were loyal to the British in the Anglo-Kuki War, 1917-1919.Later, they became instruments of NSCN (IM) against Kukis and demanded tax.

Nevertheless, just as oil and water cannot mix, they soon realised that they are not secure under NSCN (IM) and to assert their independence formed the Zalienrong United Front.

According to Pu Ngurdola, in Tripura, the Langrong, Ranglong or ChoraiKukis are known as Zaliengrong in Tamenglong and Noney districts of Manipur, Peren District of Nagaland and North Cachar Hills in Assam.

The statement also said that the Zaliengrong people recall their origins and recite,
SINLUNG SINLUNG
NAP BIRU TIO TIO,
CHINA BUSIANG GEN GEN
APEH ALENG TE
KOI, JOU LIPADLO .

Which literary meaning is " When kids got hungry they sang this song to their grandma asking for food, thinking the tiffin they brought from Singlung, China was still there" .

Given the fact that Zaliengrong are ethnic Kuki-Chin group, Noney district and Tamenglong district must not be included in the NSCN (IM) framework agreement.

They must remain a part of Manipur.

Regarding the Paomei People of Phoibung (Senapati) the KNO stated that the Paomei people of Senapati (formerly Phoibu) are also part of the Kuki-Chin group, like Zalienrong.

The Suhte Poi and Lushei (Mizo) also forced them out, but the Kuki chiefs fought back them and settled the Paomei in Kuki ancestral land known as Phoibung, which was changed to Senapati.

The people of village Yangkholen in Senapati district are Tuboi Kuki.

The wave of Nagaisation led to forced assimilation of Paomei and Tuboi Kuki to Naga.

Their lands are part of Kuki ancestral lands.

The memorandum submitted was signed by PS Haokip, President, Kuki National Organisation.

Comment