Tangkhul CSOs rebuff claim of Kuki land
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik

Ukhrul, July 05 2019: Tangkhul CSOs have strongly contested the alleged baseless claim of Kuki ancestral land in Tangkhul territory, made by KNO & UPF for carving Kuki homeland.

In this connection the media was briefed today at TNL president office chamber in the presence of all Tangkhul CSOs leaders, on the historical background of Kuki settlement in all Naga districts of Manipur, particularly in Tangkhul region.

Notably, a statement of Tuisem who is the vice president of TNL, stated that a day long meeting was held with all the Tangkhul CSOs leaders to discuss the demand of Kuki homeland.

The statement claimed that Kuki is nomadic tribe who migrated from Burma and is never an indigenous people of the State.

It further claimed that the Meities were living in the valley while the Naga tribes were living in the hills of Manipur since time immemorial and they are the two indigenous communities of the State.

The Tangkhul community takes serious note of the unfounded claim of Kuki ancestral land by KNO & UPF with the idea of demanding a separate "Kuki Homeland" and a territorial council for Kukis in Manipur, said the TNL leader and added that this claim is based on concocted historical narratives replete with lies and false mythology.

Secretary of TNL V Gachui elaborated on the arrival of Kukis and their settlement based on the records of Manipur.

He recalled the standing order of President Manipur State Darbar (PMSD) which clearly mentioned Kukis in Naga areas in Manipur are refugees and further declared that Kukis shall obtain prior permission from the chief of Naga village for settlement and pay house tax to the Naga chief.

V Gachui elucidated on the refugee relief grants awarded to Kuki community by the Government of India distributed in four instalments (1957, 1959, 1966 and 1968) .

A five member committee headed by HT Pakang as chairman was constituted as "Kuki Refugees Relief Committee" for the purpose of distribution of refugee relief fund, he claimed.

The Tangkhul CSOs have strongly objected the fictitious claim of Chassad Kuki village chief as the custodian of the land, stretching from Khokai to Chassad without any legal rights.

They further cautioned the Kuki community to end the attempt to carve out Tangkhul area for the demand of Kuki homeland.

It will simply provoke unwanted situation and turn into an ugly situation, which will disturb the peaceful coexistence and social relationship of both the communities, added the CSOs.

They urged the Kuki brethren to end spreading false information for the betterment of the future.

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