FoH clarifies on Kuki MLAs' report to Shah
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, May 20 2023:
Terming as baseless the report submitted by 10 Kuki MLAs to Union home minister Amit Shah that no tribal live in the valley dis-tricts after the communal clash on May 3, the Fed-eration of Haomee (FoH) said all the tribals are living peacefully in the valley and asked the Kukis not to play divisive card in the name of tribal.
According to a statement of the Federation, smaller indigenous tribes of Manipur like the Anal, Aimol, Chi-ru, Chothe, Kom, Koireng, Lamkang, Moyon, Maring, Purum and Tarao have Yek Salai (clan system) just like the Meeteis and had been living in Manipur since time immemorial.
How-ever, frequent terming of these indigenous commu-nities as Old Kuki by experts and intellectuals in public platform almost made them victims in the aftermath of the Meetei-Kuki clashes, the Federation rued and ap-pealed to experts and intel-lectuals not to refer them as Old Kuki ever again.
The violent clash that erupted on May 3 left scores of people particularly those settled in the intersection of hills and valley homeless, landless and forced to stay in relief camps with an uncer-tain future.
These people do not want to hear sweet talks but want effective protec-tion.
These people also want arms for self-defence but could not afford the same at present.
Central forces are being deployed for their security but hesitant to fire even a single bullet when Kukis torched houses of Meetei villages due to So0 agreement, the federation said adding that Meetei peo-ple have no other option but to defend themselves.