Valley communities misread statement: KSO Henglep
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 17 2022: Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO), Henglep block said that its press statement issued on May 5 last with regard to seeking prior information and notice to village chief for afforestation programme in Thangting (Thangjing) hill was misread by majority valley communities prompting unsolicited comment on various social media platforms, print and digital channel.

Regarding the Thangting impasse, KSO Henglep block issued a statement and urged all to desist from creating an atmosphere that could trigger communal tension and social unrest.

However, it was misinterpreted by various individuals and associations to support their mischievous propaganda/agenda.

The statement never mentioned about prohibition of any religious related activities, KSO Henglep block said in a statement.

According to the KSO statement issued by its information & publicity department, Thangting hill since time immemorial always had the involvement of indigenous Kuki people and local communities as prerequisite for their sustainable development.

The practise of shifting cultivation, a traditional food production system, suggested the intangible heritage the locals share in connection with the Thangting range.

The chief of Loikhai village Thenmang Haokip is the rightful owner with supporting document to prove his authority over the area who inherited his chieftainship passed down from generations.

On May 5, forest department proposed afforestation programme in the area but it was vehemently opposed by Thangting Area Chiefs' Association, KSO Henglep and the village chief as the department forcefully tried to carry out the programme without giving prior information and notice to villagers nor the chief.

CSO leaders and local villagers informed the visiting officials about the importance of seeking the acknowledgment of village chief and villagers' consent before carrying out any activities.

Accordingly, the officials concerned and the locals mutually agreed that the proposed plantation programme should be done by the villagers themselves and subsequently the village chief sought saplings from the forest department.

The proposed plantation was carried out the following day under MGNREGS scheme along with forest department and sub-divisional officer concerned.

While asking as to how plantations or any such noble activities could be carried out without the involvement of the locals who are the sole guardians and custodians of their land, the KSO unit said that the approach of the government in this regard was truly suspicious and irrational.

KSO understands the importance of trekking hills for religious rituals.

'Ching-kaba/Laikhrumba' which is an important activity of the indigenous Meiteis is respected and well acknowledged by local villagers in the hills for ages and there were no instances of disturbing or interrupting pilgrims who trek the hills for religious purpose by the Kukis.

Instead, they were given assistance by the local villagers on numerous occasions.

When members of Thangjing Seva Mandal, Moirang, Famnaiba Cheirap Loisang and others trek the Thangting hills, the Kukis in the area were the first to lend helping hand to them.

KSO in particular and the Kukis and the tribals as a whole are never against propagation and practice of any religion at any point of time but the tendency of some vested individuals or associations to grab tribal land on the pretext of religious lines will always be opposed tooth and nail, it added.

Some vested individuals and associations want to put KSO in the wrong limelight and accuse KSO of propagating communal enmity even after a series of clarifications, the KSO Henglep block statement said adding that threatening statement issued against the locals and KSO by some associations was highly uncalled for and this would rather destroy the social fabric and cordial relationship shared between various communities residing in Thangting ranges and the adjoining valley areas since ages.

The KSO also said that it seriously viewed the immature and irresponsible statement of Committee on Protection & Preservation of the Historical Rights of Koubru & Thangjing Hill Ranges (CPPKT) as such statements will disturb the existing peaceful atmosphere prevailing in the area.

It then urged government to take stern action against such baseless and unprinci-; pled organisations, which are against the idea of peaceful co-existence.

It further said that any untoward incident arising out of the irresponsible statement made by CPPKT and their cohorts should be the sole responsibility of the state government and CPPKT leaders.

Comment