Sanayaima speaks of force behind Kuki aggression
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 13 2025: Former UNLF Chairman Ningthemcha Sanayaima has stated that a strong force standing behind Kukis has been employing several strategies to destroy the integrity of Manipur and wipe out the Meitei community.

The former rebel leader was speaking at a Patriots' Day function held today at Singjamei Kakwa Laishram Selungba Leikai.

The formal function was preceded by offering of a Thang-Ta salute to the patriots at Hicham Yaicham Pat.

Speaking at the function held at Kakwa, Sanayaima said that the first and foremost responsibility of the present generation is protecting the integrity of Manipur and its territorial boundary which were inherited from the brave Manipuri forefathers.

Sanayaima speaks of force behind Kuki aggression

The widespread violence launched on May 3, 2023 with the primary objectives of breaking Manipur and annihilating Meiteis is not entirely a Kuki aggression.

Standing behind the Kukis, a strong force has been plotting consistently to confine the Meiteis within the tiny Imphal valley, Sanayaima said.

"We must understand that the particular force has been conspiring to suppress the Meitei community totally so that we can never stand up or raise our voice", he said.

Remembering this constant challenge to the survival of Manipur and the Meiteis only on Patriots' Day is not enough, he said.

Large numbers of armed Kukis from Myanmar have been coming to Manipur continuously and they have been adopting one strategy after another.

In the meantime, many Kuki villages have been established in the hill areas of Manipur.

Now Meitei people no longer feel safe in tilling paddy fields located in the foothill areas, he remarked.

It was the Pan Manipur Youth League which first started observing the Patriots' Day on August 13 in 1969.Sanayaima also recalled how the Manipuri people fought valiantly and overcame external threats and challenges to the sovereignty and integrity of Manipur in the past.

He then underscored the importance of instilling a sense of Nationalism in the younger generations.

Although they knew fully well that their defeat was certain, Manipuri people fought valiantly against the mighty British empire.

Many heroes faced execution by hanging.

Fathers and mothers sent their sons to the battlefields to protect the sovereignty of Manipur.

Such was the spirit of Nationalism and patriotism among the Manipuri people, Sanayaima recalled.

The former rebel leader said that each and every Meitei man and woman should be a patriot and this is demanded by the unfolding situation.

He said that the process of instilling a sense of Nationalism among the younger generations must begin from each family, not at public functions or events.

The Patriots' Day Observation Committee Manipur president L Chandrakumar called for unity and collective efforts to protect Manipur from all kinds of threats and challenges.