AMUCO appeals to Kuki leaders
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 15 2019:
Stating that the words 'In defence of our ancestral land and freedom' inscribed on memorial stones erected in Kuki villages in connection with the Anglo-Kuki War centenary commemoration lack proper justification and may spark unwanted incidents among communities living together in the State, the All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO) has appealed to Kuki organisations and leaders to remove the particular stone inscription and help restore peace and normalcy in the State.
Pointing out that Manipur is a very tiny State, AMUCO appealed to all concerned to give up the tendency of demanding ethno-exclusive domains within the territory of Manipur.
The State Government must take up necessary measures to stop erection of memorial stones inscribed with the words 'In defence of our ancestral land and freedom' otherwise the Government would be held accountable in the event of any communal clash resulting from the particular memorial stones, said a press release issued by AMUCO.
It again appealed to the Kuki community to remove the particular inscription if they see other communities of the State as their own brothers.
The objection raised by Tangkhuls against erection of the particular memorial stones on the ground that the particular areas belong to them (Tangkhuls) too lacks justification.
The territory of Manipur does not belong to any single community, it said while appealing to all the communities to refrain from doing anything which may spark tension and unrest.
Some Kuki leaders' interpretation that the word 'ancestral' as inscribed in the memorial stones refers to all the communities of Manipur is not accepted by other communities, AMUCO remarked.
It then appealed to Kuki organisations and leaders to adopt a noble decision so that no untoward tension grips the State.