KIM clarifies on 'MHA directive'
Source: The Sangai Express

Kangpokpi, November 04 2019: The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) today clarified on the 'directive' of the Ministry of Home Affairs to the Chief Secretaries of Manipur and Nagaland which went viral in social media a few days back and put the records straight on the matter.

KIM vice-president (political affairs) Sominthang Doungel said, "We have come across a copy of IB FAX directive from Ministry of Home Affairs to Chief Secretaries of Manipur and Nagaland on social media which portrays that KIM had agreed, after talks with the State Government, to replace 'the controversial lines' - a reference to the theme of the Anglo-Kuki War centenary commemoration which read - In defence of our Ancestral Land and Freedom - because of demands for removing memorial stones with such inscriptions from various Naga groups.

He continued that such portrayal of KIM leadership has totally disenchanted the Kuki masses and has earned the ire of the entire Kuki community for its leaders.

He clarified that the decision to change the inscription was adopted on October 16 after a public consultative meeting.

KIM is however compelled to put the records straight.

"In spite of us going the extra mile for peaceful co-existence, the Government has been all these while toeing to the demands of NSCN-IM and their sympathisers to remove the inscription", Sominthang Doungel said.

"The Kuki people will unitedly stand against any forces that question our right to defend our history which clearly shows that Anglo-Kuki war was fought in defence of our ancestral land and freedom", he added.

The KIM vice president (political affairs) further reiterated that it has been the endeavour of KIM to stand for peaceful co-existence.

"Even as we urge the Governments of the State as well as the Centre to expedite the tripartite talks at the earliest, Kuki people will fight tooth and nail to defend our ancestral land and will not tolerate the inclusion of Kuki ancestral land in the proposed pan Naga autonomous council", he asserted.

He also said that it is time the Central Government lend its ears to the voice of Kuki people thus far ignored by successive Governments, both at the State and the Centre.

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