Demands of UPF, KNO against SoO tenets
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 24 2013:
The primary demands raised by both UPF and KNO, the two conglomerates of Kuki UG groups not only go against the tenets of the Suspension of Operation pact but are untenable as well as impractical.
While the UPF has been demanding a Hill Autonomous State for the Kukis living in Manipur, KNO has been urging for an exclusive Kuki State.
Significantly the public blockade called by the Kuki State Demand Committee has come into force from 5 pm today.
However, the Suspension of Operation (SoO) pact signed between UPF, KNO, the State Government and the Government of India clearly laid down that the pact should not impinge upon the territorial integrity of Manipur.
A highly placed source remarked that everyone knows whether the demand for a Hill Autonomous State or an exclusive Kuki State to be carved out from a tiny State like Manipur, which is only 22327 sq Kms in area, is pragmatic or not.
On the other hand, NSCN-IM which once carried out a long and sustained armed struggle for Naga sovereignty and Naga unification has narrowed down their demand to Pan Naga Development Council.
As both the demands for Hill Autonomous State as well as Kuki State would alter territorial boundary of Manipur, the Government of India is unlikely to consider these demands favourably.
The Government of India has already made it clear to some signatories of the SoO pact that their two principal demands are untenable and impractical.
The Centre has also suggested the Kuki armed groups to raise demands which would not affect the territorial integrity of Manipur.
The KNO's demand is creation of an exclusive Kuki State while the UPF's demand is for a Hill Autonomous State.
It is possible that the word 'State' may be dropped from the two demands as and when political dialogue is initiated with UPF and KNO.
By that time, the dialogue would centre around demands which do not impinge upon the territorial integrity of Manipur.
Under such circumstances, the demands of KNO and UPF may vary substantially, informed the source.
Nevertheless, proposals have been made between top leaders of the two apex bodies of Kuki armed groups to unite.
KNO has already made the first move and conveyed their desire to some key member organisations of the UPF to unite the two conglomerate bodies into one.
Yet, KNO's demand for a Kuki State remains a big spanner to the unification move, added the source.