NPO (K) poohs-poohs demand for separate CS, DG
'So called CoTU' derided
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, August 25 2023:
The Naga People's Organisation, Kangpokpi District (NPOK) has stated that the Nagas of Kangpokpi district have not been associated with the activities of the 'so called CoTU' since its formation.
NPOK said that it took strong exception to the memorandum dated August 16, 2023, submitted by ten Kuki-Zo MLAs to the Prime Minister of India demanding immediate appoint- ment of separate Chief Secretary and DGP for the five hill districts of Chura-chandpur, Chandel, Teng- noupal, Kangpokpi and Pherzawl in Manipur and immediate release of Rs 500 crore from the Prime Minister's Relief Fund to rehabilitate the internally displaced Kuki-Zo people in the wake of the violent crisis which erupted on May 3, 2023 .
The NPOK, in a statement made available to Newmai News Network tonight, said the Nagas in Kangpokpi district having 13 tribes, "the native people of the bifurcated district, deeply deplore the move of the ten Kuki-Zo MLAs asking for a separate Chief Secretary and DGP" .
The NPOK also said the "indigenous Nagas who happened to be first and original settlers of the district have been reduced to minority groups completely outnumbered by the influx of illegal immigrants from across the international border, triggering host of problems like demographic imbalances, ethnic conflicts, recognition and identification of villages and land disputes'' .
The NPOK then said there are also issues of unrecognized villages pending in the Revenue Department of the State.
The interest of the Nagas shouldn't be ignored and overlooked by the Government of India as the district of Kangpokpi has a fairly large population of Nagas apart from Gorkhas and other minuscule ethnic groups.
The NPOK further said the internally displaced persons shouldn't be allowed to relocate to the district of Kangpokpi and no new semi permanent houses for the IDP should be built within the district.
It further said the National Highways 02 and 37 which pass through the district have come under illegal, unauthorized and unabated collection of ransom and taxes by the Kuki militants.
The NPOK made it clear that the Nagas of Kangpokpi district have not been associated with the activities of the "so called COTU" since its formation.
The Nagas in Manipur are not a part of this body from day one, it clarified.
On the other hand, the Kukis of the hill districts of Manipur should not defile or desecrate the name "tribals" as a whole in their demand as the Nagas are not involved in the ongoing conflict, the NPOK asserted.
The statement then said, "In the light of the above facts, if and when the Kukis and their civil society organisations consider Kangpokpi district, a break away from the previous unaltered Senapati district, as their own disregarding the sentiments of the indigenous people, then it will not remain a mute spectator but hit back hard with historical facts''.
The NPOK also appealed to all sections of the people not to utter irresponsible and unwarranted comments and also not to take recourse to unwanted and violent activities when the State has been reeling under a protracted violent crisis.
The NPOK also said it was deeply grieved by the unfolding ethnic crisis and prayed for the early return of peace and tranquillity in the State of Manipur.
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