KCAM endorses KIM's separate state demand
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 24 2023: The Kuki Chiefs' Association Manipur (KCAM), in its consultative meeting held on July 13, fully endorsed the demand for separate state made by the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the apex civil body of the Kuki tribes.

The association pledged its firm support and cooperation for fulfilment of the collective demand of the Kukis to ensure self-governance within the ambit of the Indian Constitution, KCAM said in a statement.

According to KCAM, the Kukis enjoyed absolute freedom over their territory long before the British came to India.

The benevolent Kuki chiefs' dominion over their land and administration in social and political spheres in conformity with the age-old customary laws and traditions mark the uniqueness and sanctity of the indigenous Kukis' history.

In defence of their ancestral land and freedom, the Kukis fought against the British for three consecutive years popularly known as the Anglo-Kuki War of 1917-1919 which evidenced the Kukis' patriotism, valour and their love for freedom.

As a matter of fact, had it not been for the Kuki chiefs the ascension of a considerable number of the Meetei kings to the throne would not have been possible.

Indeed, the Kuki chiefs had been largely credited for the safety and security of the Meetei kings on a number of occasion, let alone the thriving of the monarchy .system.

During the Seven Years' Devastation (1819-1825) or Chahi taret khuntakpa, the Kuki people, under the benign leadership of their chiefs rendered help and support to the beleaguered Meeteis by providing food and shelter in the Kuki hill areas.

Moreover, the ascension of king Gambhir Singh to the throne had been facilitated by virtue of the assistance given by the Kuki chiefs.

Two years after king Gambhir Singh's ascension to the throne, he enhanced friendship ties with the Kuki chiefs.

Despite the tremendous contributions of the Kukis toward the growth and security of the Manipur's monarchy, the Meeteis recompensed the Kukis with the goriest gift by way of ethnic cleansing, subsequent to the abrogation of the Moi- rang Treaty (1859) and the Sanjenthong Treaty (1873) .

Hence there is no question of the two communities living together and more importantly, governing under a single political entity, any longer, the KCAM said.

In view of the existential threat to the Kukis by the Meeteis where gross human rights violations and crime against humanity are being perpetrated, KCAM shall continue to fight for the cause of the Kukis by extending all possible help to the Kuki Inpi Manipur until separate state is achieved, it affirmed.

Comment