'Plot of Kukis becomes clearer'
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, February 10 2024:
Stating that the secret plot to exterminate Meetei community to take over the state by a gang of Kuki bureaucrat officers in the state secretariat office, and their decades-long policy to expand settlement in Imphal valley areas have become clearer, ICHAM founder president Nongthombam Rajendro has asked Kukis to recall how Meeteis ousted the Awas in the past.
Rajendro made the remark while speaking during the inauguration of an Open Gym constructed in memory of his late son Thoithoi, new building of Students' Club Yumnam Khunou, and compound fencing of Yumnam Khunnou playground on Saturday.
Addressing the gathering, Rajendro said that people have come to know the real reason why Kuki bureaucrat officers in the state secretariat took leave three days ahead of May 3, 2023 clash.
People know who was the then chief secretary and the then DGP, and how a gang of bureaucrat officers create several 'Vengs' in Imphal.
There are over 1500 houses of Kuki community in Imphal, which include more than 1000 in Langol alone.
They have also been trying to take over Koirengei areas by developing settlements and this plan has been going on for the last three decades.
But today, Meeteis are well-aware of their policy and the fate of the community and the state would be in oblivion if the realisation had come a decade later, he said.
Referring to his earlier works as the founder president of ICHAM, Rajendro said that the organisation was established in 1987-88 with the sole objective of bringing unity and integrity among the different communities in the state.
Even after the May 3 clash, ICHAM sent a delegation with 100 bags of rice and cash to Churachandpur on May 22 to assist the displaced people.
ICHAM team also visited Kangpokpi on May 24 to resolve the crisis.
However, they found out the hidden agenda behind the crisis as Kukis continue to attack Meetei villages in the foothill areas and killed several innocent people including students.
He further said that Kuki people might have issues with the government for the crackdown on illegal poppy cultivation and encroachment in forest areas as well as influx of illegal immigrants.
However, this has nothing to do with the Meetei community as it is the government's policy, he pointed out, while demanding an explanation on the reason for their enmity with Meetei.
Prior to the crisis, ICHAM had a joint meeting with KSO, village chiefs and different CSOs in Churachandpur district on January 16 last year.
The meeting agreed that not all Kukis are involved in the illegal poppy cultivation, and a joint initiative was taken up to destroy poppy plants.
Likewise, KSO, chiefs and MLAs of Saikul AC joined hands to destroy poppy plants in their area.
Similar initiatives were also taken up in Ukhrul and other parts of the state.
ICHAM stood for Kuki community defending their innocence with regard to illegal poppy cultivation by making it clear that not all Kukis are involved in this illegal activity.
Unfortunately, the Kuki people seem to have forgotten the initiatives made from the side of ICHAM, he lamented.
As the conflict is continuing for more than nine months, the viable solution that lies ahead is the abrogation of Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement with Kuki militants, after which the peace loving Kuki people will be able to come forward and raise their voices for unity and integrity of the state, he said.
He also mentioned that he could not see many Kuki CSOs, with whom ICHAM had worked with, in the current crisis and it shows how the Kuki militants under SoO are suppressing their voices.
Students' Club Yumnam Khunnou president S Pahari, LPSC president N Kerani, secretary H Bijoy, WSWA president M Ibemnungshi, and Chief Minister's Martial Arts secretary Kh Bhakta attended the function.