KSO denounces Dy CM's remarks on Kukis
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, June 13 2014 : Taking strong exception to the Deputy Chief Minister's remarks during his visit to Moreh on June 11, Kuki Students Organisation (KSO) has demanded the Deputy Chief Minister to apologize to the Kuki people for his unwarranted remarks.

A press statement issued today by KSO General Secretary Seiboi Haokip said the Deputy CM is a seasoned politician and a good administrator, but his recent remark on Kukis as a community of encroachers is a veiled attack, adding that Moreh and the surrounding lands belong to the Kukis, all through its history.

His remark is akin to inciting communal feelings among the people of the State, KSO charged and lamented that this is unbecoming of a Dy.

Chief Minister whose responsibility is to promote communal harmony and peace.

Just because we allowed outsiders to reside in Moreh does not mean the land is open to all, it asserted and iterated that the Kukis have their Chiefs who owned the lands by din of customs and traditions, and it is up to the Chief who along with members of his house has the authority to decide who can reside on his land.

The statement claimed it is non-negotiable that Moreh belongs to the Kukis, just as Ukhrul belongs to the Tangkhuls and Tamenglong to the Zeliangrongs.

The Dy.

CM was irked by the low turnout at his function, KSO reasoned and recalled that in early 1990's when he was Cabinet Minister, more than 100 Kuki villages in Tamenglong district were destroyed; lands were seized; houses were burnt and razed to the ground; many Kuki villagers were butchered and killed.

The Kuki people are familiar with the 'Look East Policy' of the Government.

But it is also our concern that we need a 'Look After Policy', KSO said while affirming that the Kuki people should reap the benefit of the Look East Policy, but at the same time, they should have the right to protect themselves from external threat to their lands and people.

The government is interested in opening up the border for Free Trade, however, it is doubtful that the local indigenous people would gain much, the statement said, while pointing out that it will be the outside traders who will benefit at the expense of the local people.

If the Dy.

CM is keen on shifting the border trade elsewhere he is welcome to do so, the statement further said, citing that as Home Minister, it is his job to maintain law and order, but a veiled attack on the whole Kuki people is unsolicited.

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