Kuki man accused of bid to reclassify indigenous tribes
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 30 2024: In response to one Paominlen Haokip's petition to the National Commission of Scheduled Tribes (NCST) with alleged intention to classify minority indigenous tribes of Manipur as Kuki, Federation of Haomee (FoH) has asserted that no indigenous community in Manipur can be forcibly reclassified as Kuki.

Along with holding a brief protest demonstration at Manipur Press Club, here, on Tuesday, the Federation demanded Paominlen Haokip to apologise for his actions within five days.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines, FoH president Sapamcha Jadumani informed that Paominlen, under the auspices of Committee on Protection of Tribal Areas Manipur (Kuki Hills), submitted a petition to the NCST recently claiming that villages in Kangpokpi district inhabited by Aimol, Thangal, Chiru, Maring, Kom, Kharam, Koireng, and others are Kuki villages and fall under the jurisdiction of Saikul subdivision, Sadar Hills East District - Kangpokpi, which is part of the demand for separate administration.

The petition also contended that Tangkhul and Liangmai tribes do not oppose the Kukis' demand for separate administration, he said and added that, in response, indigenous communities have united to protest Paominlen Haokip's false claim that their villages are Kuki villages.

Jadumani asserted that if the Kukis desire a separate administration, they should seek it in Myanmar or Israel, not in Manipur, which has a 3000-year old history.

He demanded Paominlen to apologise for his false claim and attempt to reclassify indigenous tribes of Manipur as Kukis within five days failing which legal actions will be initiated, and complaint lodged with the police.

The Federation has also sent a letter to the NCST, providing proof and supporting documents to refute Paominlen's claims as baseless.

Chipping in, Tumnoupokpi chief S Johnson (Thangal tribe) said that Thangal tribe is a tribe recognised by the government of India.

However, it is very unfortunate that Paominlen Haokip has included villages settled by this tribe as Kuki villages, which are part of the demanded for separate administration.

The Kukis want the land of the Thangal tribe and thus included it as a Kuki village, a move condemned in the strongest terms, he said.

Johnson asserted that land of the Nagas will never be part of the separate administration of the Kukis.

Kangchup Chiru chainnan Aleng Thanga, who also participated in the protest, expressed strong resentment that the Kukis are claiming lands belonging to Chiru and Naga tribes.

He clarified that the Chiru tribe is neither Naga nor Kuki.

The Chiru tribe, along with other indigenous tribes, will strive to protect Manipur.

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