Blockade from October 21 to 31, indefinite blockade from November 2 threatened
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 19 2015:
To protest the alleged indifferent attitude of the Congress led Govt to Kuki issues and particularly to the nine 'Kuki martyrs' who died protesting the three Bills passed by the State Assembly on Aug 31, the Kuki People Liberation Front/Army (KPLF/KPLA) has announced an economic blockade on the highways leading to the State from midnight of Oct 21 to midnight of Oct 31 .
In a statement, the KPLF/KPLA warned of imposing indefinite blockade from Nov 2 if the State Govt still fail to take up positive action on the matter.
It urged all concerned to extend cooperation in its efforts to seek justice for the nine 'Kuki martyrs' .
The outfit also urged the Kuki MLAs to resign from their post within Oct 31.The MLAs should be held responsible for any outcome if they fail to resign, added the outfit.
It also urged the Kuki people to initiate social boycott of the Kuki MLAs.
The KPLF/KPLA said the Bills passed on Aug 31 are 'anti-Kuki' and 'anti-tribal' in nature.
The outfit said that no officials came to 'Kuki territory' for any census operation or for NCR or to maintain Village Directory in 1951.As such, adopting 1951 as the cut off base year for defining people of Manipur is illogical and not acceptable.
The KPLF/KPLA had announced its boycott of Congress party from March 31 in the run up to the ADC polls for its alleged negligence of the Kukis.
The continuous attempt of the State Govt to extend MLR&LR Act in Kuki and tribal ancestral land with amendments of the Act and overlooking power of HAC is a serious threat to the rights and identity of the Kukis, it said.
The Kukis had fought several wars with the British like the Anglo-Kuki War (1845-1871), Kuki Uprising/Rebellion (1917-19) and WW-II, it said.
The Kuki chiefs and people also helped the Manipur Maharaja in the 'Ava Lan' against the Burmese invasion of Manipur.
The Kukis also joined the fight for the protection of Manipur.
As such, it is now time for the State Govt to immediately assist the Kukis for a political settlement.