No record of Anglo-Kuki war in Manipur: MHA
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, August 04 2023:
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), in response to an RTI application, has stated that no Anglo-Kuki war occurred in Manipur.
The Ministry was responding to an RTI query filed by climate change activist Licypriya Kangujam on June 17 on whether the Anglo-Kuki war happened in Manipur.
A snapshot of the reply was later posted by Licypriya on social media on Friday.
In her RTI application, Licypriya had sought information from the Government of India on three questions so as to clear her doubts on Anglo-Kuki War.
Her first question requested the list of names of all Kuki freedom fighters from Manipur who fought against the British, as per records of the Government of India.
In response, the MHA stated that there are 62 freedom fighters from Manipur, as per Government of India records who received or are receiving monthly pension from the Ministry.
Out of the 62, there are only four freedom fighters from Kuki community who received pension scheme of MHA called Samman Pension under Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana (SSSY).
Their names are Haozathang, Letsei Kuki, Letkhothang Lhangum and Lunkhoson Kuki.
Her second question sought all the details of the Anglo-Kuki War fought between Kukis and the British in Manipur to which the MHA said that there was no information available regarding the question.
Her third and final query requested details on how and where the Anglo-Kuki War exactly happened, including name of the exact area or village in India.
In response, the MHA stated that there was no information available in regard to the question.
Mention may be made here that the Kuki community had been claiming that the Anglo-Kuki War occurred in Manipur between 1917-19 and constructed a Centenary Gate in this regard at Kangvai located between Churachandpur and Bishnupur districts.
On May 3, unknown miscreants allegedly set on fire the gate, sparking the on going conflict in the state.