KSO states stand on Anglo-Kuki war gate debates
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, October 03 2024: Reacting the recent statements in the media and discussions on television news channels that the Anglo-Kuki War 1917-1919 Centenary Commemoration Gate at Leisang in Churachandpur district was not burned and it was a propaganda spread on May 3, Kuki Students' Organisation, General Headquarters (KSO-GHQ) dismissed such claims as totally false and an attempt to demonise the Kuki-Zo community.

Mention may be made that at the recently held second edition of the Chanakya Defence Dialogue 2024, a flagship event organised by the Indian Army and the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), Indian army chief general Upendra Dwivedi had stated that Anglo-Kuki war centenary gate was not burnt.

"I have gone on ground and confirmed it with everyone.

That rumour-mongering led to major violence, which is yet to be stabilised," NDTV had quoted the general officer as saying at the conclave.

General Dwivedi had also dismissed allegations of wea-ponised drones dropping bombs on civilians, labelling it a "false narrative" .

However, in a press communique, KSO stated that to understand genesis of the current conflict, it is important to note that prior to ATSUM's call for a Tribal Solidarity March on May 3, 2023, against the majority Meetei/Meitei's demand for ST status, a conspiracy was hatched by Meitei Leepun to derail the proposed rally.

Meitei Leepun called for a statewide bandh on May 2 and 3 to counter the rally and starting from May 2, tribal commuters, especially from the Kuki-Zo community, were harassed on highways by Meitei Leepun volunteers.

Tribals from valley districts who travelled to their respective home districts in the hills to participate in the proposed rally were sent back or harassed in various forms.

There was a prior incident involving Meitei Leepun shutting down the ATSUM office in Imphal, opposing ATSUM's democratic demands to the state government.

Finally, on May 4, 2023, the ATSUM office was vandalised by the same group, it alleged.

"On May 3, 2023, after the Tribal Solidarity march, ral-lyists from Churachandpur who returned home were confronted by Meitei youths, allegedly affiliated with Meitei Leepun, in Kangvai area bordering Churachandpur and Bishnupur districts," the release continued.

It further claimed that the Anglo-Kuki War 1917-1919 Centenary Commemoration Gate at Leisang was indeed burned using used tyres.

While the Kuki-Zo community did not claim that the gate was reduced to ashes, some Meitei miscreants attempted to raze it to the ground and started burning the gate using old tyres.

The perpetrators understood well that the gate is held dear by the Kuki-Zo people, and burning it would definitely provoke the community.

When the gate's pillar was set on fire, local Meitei TV news reporters were also present at the scene.

The timely intervention by some youths at the site extinguished the fire, and the gate remains intact and standing tall to serve its purpose, the release maintained.

Prior to the conflict, Meitei community had continuously pressured the state government to remove or dismantle the gate and any objects inscribed with "Anglo-Kuki War 1917-1919" for reasons best known to them.

Intolerance toward others' history and identity is one of the factors' that have contributed to this situation, KSO asserted.

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