Lamka, October 13 2008: On the day the State celebrates its merger with the India union, the Kuki National Organisation, the first of the two armed outfits that signed an SoO with the State and Central Government expressed its concern and resentment over the 'vain attempt' of the Indian State to amalgamate territorially and emotionally the struggling sub-nationalities such as the Kashmiris, the Northeasterners and the people of Manipur in particular.

It is intrinsic to note on this date that the Sanskritic term Manipur was not applied to include the Kuki lands until the arrival of the British, and would be misrepresentatives to refer to present-day Manipur as an ancient entity, said Lenin H Kuki, the outfits Information and Publicity secretary.

Citing Maharaja Garib Niwaz alias Panheibam's imposition of Vaishnavism as the state religion in 1714, the outfits said that imposition was irrelevant upon the Kukis, and further argue that the kingdom of Maharaja Jai Singh was referred to as Mackley when the Treaty of Verelst was signed in September 1962 with the British.

A letter written to the Viceroy of India in May 1868 also refers to the name of the country as 'Mahe' it added.

As a matter of fact the Meitei and Kukis also fought the British separately in defence of their respective lands and freedom.

Unfortunately it was the Meitei Maharaja who signed away their freedom along with that of the Kukis in Shillong after the British administered it with the Meitei's territory, said Lenin.

Kukis have protested the merger, yet it came to naught.

Once again the colonized Kuki people were denied their right to self-determination when their colonial masters shattered and left them, but the zeal and sacrifice of our forefathers made nearly a hundred years ago remain fresh in our hearts and mind, it said adding, 'today, the KNO pledged to pursue its goal through means that are noble and which do not compromise the integrity and commitment demonstrated by our forefather'.

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