KSDC ends blockade, no change in stand
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 11 2013: Even as the 48-hour Kuki State Demand Committee sponsored economic blockade ended on a peaceful note this evening, the KSDC has warned of resuming its stir if the Government remains adamant to the demand.

The blockade was strictly enforced in Kuki dominated areas.

Even two/three pineapples brought for consumption were seized by the blockade enforcers at Tengnoupal along Imphal-Moreh stretch of NH-2, police source said.

Several goods laden vehicles stranded at Tengnoupal PS waiting the end of the blockade period, have left for their respective destination after the end of the blockade .

Meanwhile, urging the Government to immediately start talks with UG groups under SoO pact, the Kuki State Demand Committee has warned that it would resume the stir if the Government remains adamant to their demand.

In a statement, the KSDC affirmed that the KSDC and the Kuki people will continue non-violent struggle for political self-determination under the Indian Constitution until the demand is realised.

Goods laden vehicles stranded

"The Kuki people never encroach nor demand any land or territories of others, but want redrawing of the artificial political boundaries, which was earlier appended to Manipur without the consent of the landowners, ie the Kukis," the KSDC said.

Meanwhile, in an apparent response to the statement of some big politicians of the State, the KSDC statement asserted that the Kukis do not sign an agreement with Government of India or the Government of Manipur for the integration or disintegration of Manipur while adding that the Kuki State Demand Committee has been pressurising the Government of India and Government of Manipur to hold dialogue with the Kuki UGs, as Suspension of Operations was signed in 2008 to raise the Kuki political issue.

"If dialogue was not the purpose, why did the Government sign SoO with Kuki UGs?, or is it the planned agenda of the Government to 'give up' on the hard-earned peace achieved in Kuki areas following signing the peace pact in 2008?, it categorically asked.

The statement of some politicians of the State intimidating the people's movement will never cow down the aspirations of the Kukis for self-determination.

Rather, such taunts will only stoke the passions of the people who know their legitimate rights, the statement asserted.

The sacrificial minds of the people, who came out on the streets in support of the general strike is testimony of commitment to the cause of self-determination.

Rather than engage in mudslinging, it is a bounden duty of a responsible Government to expedite the process for political dialogue with SoO groups and address the Kuki political issue, it added.

It further maintained that the Kukis have no future in the present-day state Manipur�as there is no security of life and liberty while citing instances like the Kuki genocide of the 1990s perpetrated by NSCN (IM), planting landmines in Kuki areas by Insurgent Groups, which killed and maimed many innocent Kuki villagers, the mass raping of Kuki women in the 2000s at Parbung, lack of development, and deprivation of the Kukis' political rights by the State Government in the affairs of local governance, ie the village by enacting different Acts through the State administrative mechanism, which is against the rights guaranteed by the Constitution to the tribals (Kukis) .

It stated that the Kukis want full protection by the Constitution of India in the form of Kuki State; nothing more, nothing less.

At the same time, the KSDC also appreciated the mass support during the 36 hours general strike and 48 hours Economic Blockade while appealing to all people of conscience to continue their support for the People's movement.