DESAM sets record straight on Moreh issue
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 20 2014 : DESAM has categorically stated that KSO needs to appreciate its (DESAM) key points concerning the preservation of the essence of Moreh town as well as its vibrant cosmopolitan atmosphere.

The narrow agenda of KSO based on ethnicity are fundamentally incompatible with the essence of Moreh town as a cosmopolitan town, with multi-ethnic populace.

It would not be going too far to say that Moreh-Tamu area has been a cosmopolitan international market developed by the kings of Manipur, where the merchants from Manipur, India, China and Burma sold their products since the pre-colonial period.

This trade was terminated in 1819 until Gambhir Singh renewed it by reestablishing the town in March 1830 .

KSO should be aware that cosmopolitan town or city has no particular limit in size.

Even the Vatican City, which total area is only 110 acres, is recognized by the UN as a sovereign State.

A press statement issued by DESAM asked KSO not to misinterpret the history of Manipur for political agenda.

The historical roles of Kukis in safeguarding Manipur is appreciated.

In the Anglo-Manipuri War (1891), which was one of the worst events of the world of the year 1891 as claimed by most international newspapers, thousands of Kukis were in the services of the Manipur Government as irregular troops.

The joint venture of a Meetei named Chingakham Sanajaoba and the Kuki chiefs in the so called the Kuki rebellion and the role of Kukis against the Shillong accord of 1949 are few worth mentioning.

DESAM does not forget these events.

But the recent claim of Moreh as a territory of one community raises a serious question.

"What is the agenda of KSO claiming that 'Moreh belongs to the Kukis'? Is KSO attempting to implement the aim of demographic control of an area, including Moreh town, for the establishment of 'Kuki' homog- enous land by abandoning the past reputation of the Kukis as the true defenders of Manipur?", DESAM asked.

Manipur has been experiencing a large influx of immigrants that accelerated in the late 20th century.

DESAM is highly concerned of the increase of illegal migrants at an unprecedented rate in recent decades.

DESAM firmly holds the need to protect the rights and interests of the indigenous people against the illegal immigrants who have entered Manipur illegally after 1951, including the Thadou-Chin and Tibeto-Burman communities from Myanmar, no matter their linguistic, racial and cultural affinities with Meetei or Anal or Purum.

It is a matter of astonishment to note that KSO is denying the issue, it remarked.

Just like Kukis, all other communities including the Meeteis, are imbued with an enduring sense of national consciousness.

KSO should transcend its narrow ethnic affiliation for safeguarding the common national identity of Manipur against the external forces and for intensifying the bonds of student communities governed by mutual respect and constructive criticism, it added.

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