KCC raises territorial council banner
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 18 2020: Warning against any impact of the Naga solution on the areas settled by Kukis, the Kuki Chiefs' Council Manipur has submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister today, through the Governor, demanding a territorial council for the Kukis in case Naga territorial council should be set up in the hill areas of Manipur as a part of the solution to the Naga peace talk.

It also demanded expedition of the peace talks going on between the Government and Kuki UG groups.

KCC raises territorial council banner

Speaking to media persons at New Checkon today, spokesperson of the Kuki Chiefs' Council, Thangkam Lupheng, said that they are not opposed to a peaceful solution to the Naga peace talks.

However, there are reports that Naga Territorial Council might be formed as solution to the peace talk.

If this is the case, not even an inch of Kuki's land can be harmed, he warned.

The Kukis have been loyal citizens of India for a long time.

From 1917-1919, the Kukis fought to defend their lands and freedom from the British.

During the Second World War, many Kukis joined the Indian National Army (INA) under the leadership of Subhash Chandra Bose, he narrated.

The Kukis are peaceful people.

Yet the NSCN (IM) killed more than 1000 Kukis and the group razed more than 350 Kuki villages to the ground and displaced more than 1 lakh people, Thangkam Lupheng alleged.

Reminding the loyalty and contribution of the Kukis to the Nation, he demanded the Centre to provide Kuki Territorial Council or an autonomous body for the community as well.

Further demanding the Government for a swift solution to the ongoing talks with Kuki UG groups, Thangkam Lupheng said that a memorandum regarding the same has been submitted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, through the Governor today.

The spokesperson explained that if analysed district wise, the Kuki community is the dominant community in Chura-chandpur.

Kukis make up more than 90 percent of the population of Kangpokpi district.

Chandel and Tengnoupal are also dominated by Anal, Maring etc who are old Kuki tribes and Haokip, Kipgen, Khongsai, Zou, Mate, Baite etc who are regarded as New Kuki.

With regard to the possibility of the formation of a Naga Territorial Council as a solution to the Naga peace talks, he cautioned that in such a situation, not an inch of Kuki's land should be touched.

The Central Government needs to realise that such a solution will only lead to grave problems in future, he further warned.

On the other hand, the council's advisor C Doungel urged all those concerned to understand and acknowledge the contributions of the Kuki community.

In bringing a solution to the Naga political issue, justice cannot be denied to the Kukis.

The Kukis do not desire to destroy the integrity of Manipur.

They are merely demanding what is their right, he claimed.

The council's general secretary Lunjapao Simte was also present during the meet.