Candid NSCN (IM) make stand clear : Politics of words from KZC
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: May 16, 2025 -

Politics of words and so while the NSCN (IM) was candid enough to assert that there is nothing as Kukiland in Naga territory, particularly in Ukhrul district, the Kuki-Zo Council adopted a stand that is bound to confuse anyone who cares to read between the lines.

The subject was common and that is the warning to all Meitei folks to stay away from what is fantastically claimed as 'Kukiland' while going to attend the Shirui Lily Festival.

So while the NSCN (IM) made it clear that any attempt to disrupt the upcoming Shirui Lily Festival would not be tolerated and rounded this off with the declaration that there is no such thing as Kukiland in Naga territory, particularly in Ukhrul district, the Kuki-Zo Council verbalised its mind with the line, 'As a political platform committed to representing the democratic and collective interests of the Kuki-Zo people, the Council does not engage in or endorse unsolicited communications issued by individuals or organisations acting independently'.

The Sangai Express got hold of a copy of the media statement of KZC in the earlier part of the day on May 15; but till the time this commentary is being jotted down late in the evening, the statement remains confusing for it has steered clear of stating anything on what the Kuki-Zo Village Volunteers, Eastern Zone has asserted as Kukiland.

What is the stand of the Kuki-Zo Council on the understanding of Kukiland in Ukhrul district?

Or is it a case of the politics of compulsion compelling it not to say anything on this subject for rubbing the NSCN (IM) the wrong way would not exactly be healthy at this point of time?

The answer is out there and more than certain that the Naga outfit understands the politics that is at play here for in many ways the Nagas know and understand the politics of the Kuki-Zos better than any other community in Manipur, particularly the Meiteis.

One just has to go back to the earlier part of the 1990s when the outfit went all the way out to define who the indigenous people of Manipur are.

This much must be clear to all who have been keenly following the developments in Manipur since May 3, 2023 and how attempts are being made to Kuki-ise places of historical importance to the Meitei people such as Mount Thangjing and Mount Koubru or the more recent bid to rename a place at Mantripukhri as Vaiphei Colony.

The Meiteis woke up to the reality late, very late and this perhaps can be understood from how the stand of the Meiteis has changed from the early 1990s to post May 3, 2023.

It is also worth noting that it was as early as May 9, 2023 that the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) had issued a strong directive that frisking or checking of passenger vehicles within the jurisdiction of TNL would not be tolerated.

A move which even Delhi has miserably even after more than 730 days on National Highway-2.

Manipur should take note of the strong stand taken by the NSCN (IM) and the TNL and their stand should be understood in the correct perspective.

It is basically about telling 'others' which in this case are the Kuki-Zos to stay off and not play their politics of violence and claim to indigeniety on Naga land.

Something, a fact, over which Manipur slept over for decades, refusing to see the writings on the wall.

It should also be clear that the success of a festival on the scale of the Shirui Lily Festival warrants the attendance of everyone and the absence of the Meitei community in this festival will have an adverse impact on the success of the festival.

Seen in this context it would not be out of place to surmise that the diktat of the Kuki-Zo Village Volunteers, Eastern Zone is primarily aimed at sabotaging the festival and neutralising steps to put Ukhrul and the Tangkhul people on the tourism map.

If the Kut Festival was reduced to a no event in 2023, 2024 and possibly in 2025, then why should the Shirui Lily Festival be made a success, could well be the line of thinking of the Kuki-Zo Village Volunteers, Eastern Zone.

It is this line which the NSCN (IM) and the TNL must be aware of.