Removing Biren as CM would be a sell out to Kukis : Meetei Leepun
'They have no history nor roots'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 26 2023: The Meetei Leepun has categorically stated that any step to remove N Biren from the seat of Chief Minister at this critical juncture would be assumed as extending direct support to the demand for Kuki homeland.

Speaking to a few media persons at Meitei Langol today, Meetei Leepun leader Mayengbam Pramot said that Meiteis are born Indian citizens and they have their own civilization, history and Nation.

However, Kukis are born without any history or roots, he said.

Without a permanent place of their own, Kukis have been migrating from one place to another in South and South East Asia.

Kukis were formed by those people who were displaced by civil war in Myanmar, political unrest in Vietnam and Cambodia, Pramot said.

As they have no sense of Nationhood or Nationality, some people have been using the Kukis in whatever way they deem fit.

Removing Biren as CM would be a sell out to Kukis : Meetei Leepun

British colonial rulers brought Kukis to Manipur and planted them in different parts of the State.

Kukis made their first settlement at Churachandpur.

Once Kukis made a settlement at a place, they would invite people of their own community and thus they have been working to expand their settlements, Pramot said.

After they made their settlement in Churachandpur, the Kukis started driving out Meitei people who settled there before them.

From Churachandpur, Kukis spread to Kangpokpi, Kamjong in Ukhrul, Tamei in Tamenglong and Tengnoupal, he said.

Violent conflicts arose several times after Kukis started planting people of their community at different places inhabited by other communities, he continued.

The main objective of Kukis is the creation of a homeland.

People who are born without any roots usually demand homeland, Pramot said.

There is a Government notification which says that any Kuki tribe shall be enlisted in the Scheduled Tribe category.

As such, many people belonging to different ethnic groups came to Manipur from neighbouring countries like Myanmar and Bangladesh by merely claiming that they belong to the Kuki tribe and the Government recognised them as residents of Manipur.

Now many immigrant Kukis are holding key posts in different sensitive departments like Defence, Immigration, Customs etc.

It is a threat to the National security of India, he said.

The Kuki militant groups entered into SoO pact with a plan to carry out drug businesses without any harassment from the Government, he claimed.

Although they should be confined within their designated camps, the Kuki militants have been indulging in all kinds of unlawful activities including extortion and killings, Pramot said.

Now, Kuki militants have been openly targeting innocent civilians.

The ongoing crisis is largely about attacks carried out by Kuki militants against Meitei people and subsequent retaliation, he said.

Kuki militants have built bunkers at different places and they have been trying to justify the same step by claiming that the bunkers are meant for defence, he noted.

There have been incidents of violence, unrest and conflicts in all States where Kukis have a sizable population.

There have been violent conflicts involving Kukis in Myanmar, Bangladesh, Assam etc.

For their expertise in poppy plantation, Kuki people are being used by drug cartels and now Kukis are indulging in rampant drug businesses across different States of India including Manipur, Pramot said.

Although the present crisis is not narco-terrorism per se, narco-terrorism is very much a part of the Kukis' demand for a homeland, he said.

As the Kuki people can be used as vote banks, some politicians actively promoted illegal immigration of Kukis to Manipur, he continued.

In another word, Kuki people are being used by drug cartels as well as politicians to serve their different interests, he said.

If the Meiteis are strong enough, Kukis would not be able to harm them.

There is an urgent need to strengthen the Meitei community with a vision, he asserted.

If the Meiteis are not strong enough, Manipur would fragment into multiple pieces, he warned.

Meiteis always protected all the indigenous communities of the land and all of them lived together as one.

There was mutual respect among the different communities.

Members of different ethnic groups were given different posts in the king's Court and these ethnic groups took active part in safeguarding the integrity of Manipur, the Meitei Leepun leader said.

All must work together to ensure the survival of the Meitei community.

If there is a war, there will be casualties, he said.

Arming oneself to protect one's properties is permitted by the Constitution of India.

There is a growing need for the Meitei people to unite as one.

Meiteis should have a common vision, he asserted.

At the same time, Meiteis should protect all the 36 ethnic groups/communities of Manipur, he said.

Highlighting the importance of eradicating the drug menace from Manipur, Pramot urged all the people to be wary and vigilant of the Kukis who have been churning out volumes and volumes of false propaganda every single day.

So far, the Meiteis have not given a collective response to the ongoing crisis.

All the illegal immigrants must be driven out from the soil of Manipur, he said.

Meiteis would not remain silent if N Biren is removed from the seat of Chief Minister at the present critical juncture, he said.

So far, the united strength of Meiteis has not been brought forth but it will emerge soon, the Meitei Leepun leader added.