Imphal, May 15 2009: AS THE State scrambles to observe its glorious Martyr's Day, the Kuki National Organisation (KNO), reiterates on what it terms the 'systematic oblivion', acts of omissions and commissions and certain anomalies being perpetrated by the State and its machineries upon the seemingly 'lesser-known', 'lesser- recognised' Kuki people for decades while assaying a rightful place for the Kuki warriors.

Paying deepest homage to all the Martyrs and Freedom Fighters of Manipur on equal footing without prejudices � irrespective of creed or caste, Meiteis or Kukis, a statement released by the secretary of information and publicity of the KNO, Lenin H Kuki, stated that the KNO is compelled to question the state government as to how long it will ignore the minority's (Kukis') social and cultural rights by 'not recognising the heroic deeds and selfless sacrifices of the great Kuki leaders and warriors' for the cause of the people and the land.

"History is full of evidences, facts and figures that the Kukis not merely resisted, but also valiantly fought against the British forces in defence of their freedom and territory.

The Great Kuki Invasion of 1860s and The Kuki Rising of 1917-1919, among others, are the undeniable proofs of the facts," the KNO statement observes while quoting the words of Col.LW Shakespeare (the then DIG of Assam Rifles) who said, "It (the Kuki Rising of 1917:1919) was the most serious military involveement in the Northeast".

Despite the fact that the Kuki Rising.of 1917-1919 acknowledged as the most serious military involvement ill the Northeast, the KNO is anguished and indeed, Wonnderstruck at the 'nihilistic' .

attitude of the state governnments-of the past and the present-by not giving the Kukis of their due 'share' and 'recognition' till date.

"The KNO denounces such discriminatory practicc.

es and double-standards of .

the State governments in paying obeisance to the freeedom fighters of Manipur, particularly those Martyrs of the Kuki Rising of 191771919," it asserts.

Questioning as to how long will the state governnment continue to flout the minority's social and culturral rights and put it in the back burner, it went on to state that such ritual practices by the state are questionable as it raises the question of gen- .

uineness and sanctity of the Day's observance.

It stated further that the KNO is of the .opinion that drawing a 'demarcation lirie' in paying homage to the great leaders is a moral �crime.� Asserti"ng that not only civil and political rights are paramount, the.

stateement added that social and cultural rights too, are ess~nnrial for social cohesion, muutual understanding and mu-' tual co-existence in a liberral-democratic society.

In its endeavour to achieve its goals, the KNO has successfully launched the publication of the 'gloriious past' of the Kuki people .

in a book entitled,'Zalenngatn: The Kuki Nation,' copies of which have been placed in most of the reputted university libraries across the globe like,' Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, Prinnceton, JNU, DU, NEHU, etc, Lenin claimed.

It cautions the state govvernment not to playa Janus, and ignominious role visvis the Kukis anymore,which otherwise, will be harmful-to the principles and values 0f pluralism, multiiculturalism and unity in diiversity.

Along with the armed struggle, the KNO firmly believes in the ,paramount .

importance and power of the 'historical truth' and 'cultural identity' of the 'Kuki people which could not be suppressed by any force at any cost as it believes in the dictum; "Truth Trii.umphs," Lenin contended.

"The zeal and selfless sacrifices of our forefathers made nearly one hundred years ago are deeply etched in our hearts and minds.

Their fortitude and tenacity continues to inspire the KNO in its obligation to reestore Zalen-gam to its former status ane).

glory which is the birthright of the Kuki people," it pledge while concluding that it will daringly pur~ue its goals through means which are ,noble and democratic� and which' 'do not compromise the integrity and committment demonstrated by our forefathers.

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