KIM justifies 'superior Alternative Arrangement' for Kukis, urges Delhi to exercise caution
Settle Kuki issue first, asserts Kuki Inpi
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 04 2012: Urging the Centre to exercise great caution, the Kuki Inpi Manipur has asserted that any settlement reached with the NSCN (IM) may affect the interest of other tribal communities, who are 'equally or more deserving' of such an 'alternative arrange"ment' and added that accommodation of a particular section could result in denial of justice to the larger society.

In a memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister of the country, the apex Kuki body said that though it has no objection in principle to the granting of alternative arrangement to the Nagas of Manipur, there has to be a top level official dialogue and agreement between the Kukis and the Government of India for a 'justified/deserved' and 'superior political solution' for the Kukis of Manipur.

Any alternative arrangement for the Nagas of Manipur before any political solution for the Kukis of Manipur will not be acceptable under any circumstances, it added.

Outlining their argument, Kuki Inpi said that after the British annexed Manipur kingdom in 1891 after a resistance, the Kukis revolted against the British administration for three years from 1917 to 1919 in the hill areas of Manipur.

"These historical events of the period clearly indicate that the administration/control of Manipur prior to the British rule had been in the hands of the majority Meiteis (plain areas) and the Kukis (hill areas)," argued KIM.

Asserting that the term Naga is a connotative term to identify a collection/conglomeration of distinct/separate tribal communities residing mostly in the present State of Nagaland, KIM said that there is no clear cut demarcation between the Naga tribes and non-Naga tribes, as the erstwhile Old Kuki tribes of Manipur now claim themselves to be Nagas.

"At best the term Naga could include any tribal community which claims to be so" alleged KIM.

Therefore, historically there is no justification for selective grant of special political status for the Nagas of Manipur, over and above the other tribes (the Kukis, in the case of Manipur), said KIM and added 'in fact, the Kukis of Manipur are fully justified historically/politically for a superior alternative arrangement' .

Pointing its finger at the NSCN (IM), KIM alleged that the outfit embarked on a policy of ethnic cleansing of the indigenous Kuki population in Manipur in the early 90s and recalled the 'quit notice' served by the United Naga Council.

Alleging that there was no serious attempt on the part of the State or Central Governments to put an end to the violence, KIM said that the unarmed Kukis were left to fend for themselves.

'The UNC remained untouched by the Government at the time' alleged KIM further.

Instead of enforcing the rule of law and booking the culprits, the Government 'declared' the violence as an 'ethnic conflict' thereby prolonging the violence for several years, said KIM in the memorandum.

Left with no choice, the Kukis had to retaliate in equal measure, it added.

In the violence orchestrated by the NSCN (IM) over 900 innocent Kukis were killed and over 360 Kuki villages were uprooted.

Despite numerous appeals by way of memoranda/representations for dialogue/rehabilitation/resettlement/compensation, the Government of India has till date not responded, said KIM.

Instead, the Government of India rescued Th Muivah when he was arrested in Thailand and he was accorded a hero's welcome and the political dialogue between the NSCN (IM) and the Centre started.

Raising several questions, KIM asked why Th Muivah was accorded a hero's welcome instead of being arrested.

It further asked why the appeal by the Kuki people for a dialogue has not been reciprocated to, though the talk with the NSCN (IM) has been proceeding for more than 10 years.

KIM also asked why dialogue is held with only one party to address the ethnic conflict, if the violence led by the NSCN (IM) against the Kukis was an ethnic conflict.

What is the historical/political basis (that is superior to other tribes in the hill areas of Manipur) for an alternative arrangement for the Nagas of Manipur, further questioned KIM.

The apex body of the Kukis also asked 'In the hill areas of Manipur, who are the Nagas and who are the non-Nagas ? Wouldn't it amount to gross miscarriage of justice, violation of universal human rights and State sponsored terrorism if the rights of the Kukis of Manipur are mercilessly ignored/violated and the aggressors rewarded with special Constitutional privileges' .

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