Bandh over Kuki homeland demand on, security alerted
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network

Imphal, May 13 2012: Following the imposition of 72-hour bandh in Kuki dominated areas of Manipur, traffic flow was interrupted partially.

The Kuki State Demand Committee (KSDC) sponsored 72 hour began since 6 pm of Saturday.

Kuki Inpi, Saikul block chief Thangkam Lupheng said that whatever decision the KSDC takes, it will fully endorse.

Under the slogans, "Sovereignty-our historical rights" and "Kuki State-our demand for political settlement" the KSDC initiated the agitation.

The bandh will be followed by economic blockade.

Reports said transporters have been escorted by state security force today.

A large number of security personnel are now taking up pre-emptive measures along the national highways in Kuki areas to thwart the agitation.

Business establishment in the border town Moreh has been non-functional since last evening due to the bandh.

It can be noted here that the bandh has been called from 6 pm of May 12 to 6 pm of May 15 in Kuki dominated areas and after that economic blockade and banning of government offices and activities from 6 pm of May 15 to 6 pm of May 19 will be enforced by Kuki State Demand Committee (KSDC) .

The otherwise bustling border town of Moreh wore a deserted look during the bandh

The KSDC while talking to the media recently in Churachandpur (Manipur south district) in which the demand for creation of separate Kuki State was reiterated for immediate settlement of the Kuki people's long standing demand for self-determination within the constitutional framework of India.

Spokesperson of KSDC, K.Khongsai stated that sovereignty is the historical rights of the Kuki people and Kuki State is the demand for political settlement.

When queried by media persons as to why a Kuki State is demanded when even the long-standing demand for Sadar Hills district within the state of Manipur is still not materialised, the KSDC spokesperson said that Nagas have Nagaland State, Mizos have Mizoram, Khasis have Meghalaya, but the Kukis do not have their own state, and added optimistically that in politics nothing is impossible.

K Khongsai said Kukis were free and independent having a glorious history and distinct customary administrative system before the advent of the British.

In 1917, their forefathers fought the British to protect their land and freedom and then willfully joined the Indian National Army (INA) in its fight to throw away the British yoke.

When India attained independence, smaller kingdoms were merged with the Union while the Kukis and their lands didn't merged, hoping that the government of India would reward the Kukis for the supreme sacrifices they contributed in the struggle for independence, the spokesperson of KSDC continued.

But when no reward came, it led the Kukis to demand for a separate Kuki state on March 24 1960 in the General Meeting of Kuki National Assembly (KNA) with a memorandum submitted to the then prime minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, stated the KSDC leader.

K Khongsai further went on to state that Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) has also submitted numerous memoranda for creation of separate Kuki state under the Indian constitution with special provision to protect the traditional institutions and customs in conformity with democratic governance and promotions of the welfare of Kuki people, but they were not responded to by the government of India.

As such, in continuation with the genuine demand of the Kukis, the KSDC is formed to pursue the government of India to fulfill the long standing rightful and justified demand, the KSDC stated.