Kangpokpi not land of Kukis : LNC
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Imphal, October 31 2024: Coming out strongly against a misleading statement of the Committee on Tribal Unity, the Liangmai Naga Council (LNC) said that the statement issued by the Kangpokpi based group with regard to the scheduled visit of Chief Minister N Biren to Senapati district for the Liangmai Chaga Ngee on October 30 is unacceptable.

The apex Liangmai tribe body said, "The statement is both misleading and unacceptable, as CoTU's claims that the visit is 'provocative' or 'dangerous,' and its reference to 'Kuki-majority areas, are unfounded' .

The LNC said these areas are the ancestral homelands of the Liangmai people and the Nagas-not the Kukis.

"Simply erecting stones and creating an invented history does not confer ownership of Liangmai lands to the Kukis.

The Chief Minister's attendance is a rightful recognition of the Liangmai community's heritage and a gesture of support for cultural unity," the LNC added.

The apex Liangmai body said "CoTU's threatening rhetoric appears" to be a deliberate attempt to disrupt the peaceful celebrations of the Liangmai community.

"Their efforts not only exacerbate the ongoing crisis between Kukis and Meiteis but also risk drawing the neutral Naga communities into this conflict.

Such actions threaten to reopen old wounds and undermine the region's peace efforts," it said.

The Liangmai Nagas, "in whose land Kukis have settled-including areas now known as Kangpokpi district-find CoTU's threats to be an affront," it said and added "By framing our honored guest, the CM, as a 'danger,' CoTU has acted with utter disrespect toward our cultural heritage and hospitality" .

In contrast, the Naga people, including the Liangmai, have never interfered in Kuki celebrations such as the Kut festival, respecting every group's right to freely celebrate its culture, the LNC pointed out.

CoTU's actions violate this mutual respect, and such conduct will not be overlooked as we consider our future respon-ses, it asserted.

The LNC added that the Chief Minister's presence at "our Chaga Ngee celebration is intended to symbolize unity, inclusivity, and reconciliation-values essential to healing divisions in Mani-pur.

The Liangmai commu- nity extended this invitation as an expression of goodwill, respect, and a desire to foster harmony among all communities in the region," it stated.

Unfounded accusations against the CM, attributing past violence to him without credible evidence, are unjust and damaging to ongoing peace efforts, the LNC said.

His presence at the Chaga Ngee festival is aimed at fostering dialogue, mutual respect, and strengthening ties among all communities, it added.

With the influx of illegal Kuki immigrants and the unnatural proliferation of villages in Kangpokpi district, the Liangmai and Naga population is increasingly marginalized within their own ancestral lands, said LNC and added that the freedom to peacefully celebrate cultural traditions is now jeopardized by the threats from Kuki organizations such as CoTU.

The LNC said, "Liangmai Nagas are deeply hurt by CoTU's threats against our honored guest during the largest Liangmai cultural festival, Chaga Ngee.

Consequently, CoTU will bear full responsibility for any repercussions that arise from their actions against our celebration" .

Comment