KCP shares thoughts on raising day
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 13 2025: The KCP Politburo Standing Committee (PSC) has shared its thoughts on some critical realities of Kanglei Nation on the outfit's 45th raising day.

A statement issued by PSC Chairman Ibungo Ngangom has called upon all the people to think over and do what can be done about them, both individually and collectively, so that "we, as a unique civilization with a recorded history of two millennia, can effectively withstand and fight back the overall onslaught of the times and come out victorious in keeping with the finest traditions of our beloved forefathers" .

What erupted on 3rd May 2025, though systematically triggered by Kuki-Zo narco-terrorist elements, and has been going on since, is definitely the most challenging and pressing one of all.

Unfortunately, sentiment has apparently taken precedence over reason when dealing with it, thus unwittingly enabling the enemies to continue with their diabolical designs.

"So in order to beat them at their own game, a swift course correction in our overall approach is the need of the hour", Ibungo Ngangom said.

Instead of unwittingly feeding into the enemies' false narrative around the ongoing conflict between the Meetei/Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities every now and then.

"For example, with the ethnically charged but stupid claim of Kangleipak (Manipur) belonging only to the Meetei/Meitei community, we all have to happily accept the truth that Kangleipak belongs not only to the Meetei/Meitei community but also to the Naga and Kuki-Zo communities, of course, with the proviso that no domiciliary rights of Kangleipak shall be extended to any family, Meetei/Meitei, Naga, Kuki-Zo or any other community, for that matter, without a genuine history of settlement in any part of Kangleipak prior to 25 October 1949", read the PSC Chairman's statement.

This is definitely not xenophobia but a rational requirement for the indigenous population of a resource-constrained land like Manipur/Kangleipak, it added.

Another challenge of increasing proportions is the one of drug abuse and narco-trafficking.

This has clearly emerged as a major threat to the social fabric of Kangleipak (Manipur), particularly among the younger generations, it said.

Manipur's proximity to the Golden Triangle has made Kangleipak a vulnerable transit and consumption zone for illicit drugs, resulting in rising addiction rates, crime, and public health crises.

Existing enforcement measures both at social and government levels have proven inadequate in curbing the deep-rooted nexus between drug lords, corrupt officials and politicians, and also armed Kuki-Zo groups, it said.

The massive deforestation being carried out in the hills of Kangleipak for the sole purpose of poppy plantation has also complicated the overall challenge of drugs in the region.

A radical solution would involve the creation of a special anti-narcotics task force in which CSO's and Meira Paibi groups have to play an active role.

Simultaneously, a comprehensive rehabilitation and skilling programme should be launched to wean addicts away from drugs and reintegrate them into productive economic roles.

Integrating communities into anti-drug vigilance, especially through youth councils, can create a grassroots movement against this menace, Ibungo Ngangom said.

No less disturbing a challenge is the reality of prolonged divisiveness among civil society organisations, driven to a certain extent by the fragmented nature of the armed liberation movement, he continued.

This lack of cohesion not only weakens the bargaining power with the rulers of the day but also exacerbates intra-community tensions and often sabotages common objectives.

"The competition among our civil society organisations for socio-political influence and even control over certain socio-economic resources has led to an erosion of trust among ourselves and the proliferation of parallel power structures, often marked by coercion and intimidation, particularly in the current circumstances.

As a result, meaningful coordination and cooperation among ourselves remain elusive, with the general population bearing the brunt of instability, insecurity and social fragmentation", the PSC Chairman said.

"So we have to urgently find ways by which we can build a cohesive civil society and a more united approach among ourselves", he added.

Another troubling reality of Kangleipak is the steady moral decline among its youth, largely driven by the unchecked influence of social media.

Platforms like Instagram and Facebook have promoted vanity, materialism, and superficiality, replacing traditional values of humility, respect, and community.

"This shift has led to a disconnect from our basically conservative cultural identity, growing mental health issues, and risky behaviours among our young people", read the Chairman's statement.

With digital role models overshadowing parental and community guidance, the youngsters face increasing pressure to conform to online trends, often at the cost of their well-being and moral compass.

To address this, there is an urgent need for digital literacy, value-based education, community involvement, and accessible mental health support to help the youngsters navigate the digital age without losing their roots.

On the other hand, certain groups have often indulged in brutal thrashing of individuals for their alleged immoral conduct.

Going a step further, they often upload videos of such thrashing on social media without giving a thought to the life-destroying implications of such thoughtless action.

But such "cosmetic" efforts will be of no help in the long run.

If anything, such thoughtlessly cruel acts of moral policing, typical of a Taliban mindset, are bound to leave an unerasable stigma on the lives of not only the individuals directly involved but also their families, resulting in a cruel form of collective punishment, with certain cases looking more like cheap publicity stunts at the cost of others' dignity rather than done in any good faith, it remarked.

Actually, there are many more challenges that can be effectively dealt with only when a real unity among all stakeholders at all levels becomes a reality, it added.

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