By Alex Guite
LAMKA, December 22: The Kuki State Demand Committee has once again sounded its blockade threat today during a press conference.
During the press conference called at the Bizang community hall, the committee also handed over a press statement to the media persons which said, “With the objective to highlight the arrogance and unjust disposition of the government of India and the government of Manipur to address the rightful and just political aspiration of the Kuki people to govern our their own affairs within our territory under the Constitution of India, and in order to draw international consciousness to the reluctance of the government of India to respond to our call to resolve the continued denial of recognition to our rights, we are compelled to take certain decision like not allowing the ASEAN Car Rally to pass through Kuki territory from point Moreh (the border town situated in the Indo-Myanmar border)”.
The KSDC leaders elaborated that the committee will not allow the Association of South East Asia Nation Car Rally to pass through Kuki inhabited areas.
They continued, India is not a member of the ASEAN but an invitee, and the rally was proposed by the Prime Minister of India to strengthen India`s economic ties with ASEAN countries which include the likes of Thiland, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia. Not a single vehicle participating in the ASEAN car rally shall passed beyond Moreh into Kuki territory within India until concrete steps are taken by the Government of India towards according due constitutional recognition.
Further according to the statement, it will not consider anything unless the Government made a statement in the Parliament during the ongoing session of Parliament to the effect that they will initiate political dialogue with the Kuki State Demand Committee and Kuki insurgent groups within the premeditated date.
The statement further asserted that the committee still stands firm on its resolve to launch `Quit Kuki land` against the Indian Government if its appeal to recognize the aspiration of the Kuki are met with disdain and that it still stick with the map of the intended Kuki state which had created many hiccup among other tribes.
The KSDC further reaffirmed that if its demand for a separate Kuki State to be carved out of Kuki traditional lands incorporated within the present day Manipur is not consider they will launch a mass movement beginning at December 14 5pm, to press for its demand which will be indefinite.
The civil mass protest, it has been resolved, shall be carried out by way of public blockade of all National and State Highways only passing through Kuki-inhabitated areas, it said.
The blockade will, therefore, be effect on: Imphal to Ukhrul Road, Tamenglong, Moreh Road, Chandel Road, Senapati Road, Churachandpur Road and Jiribam Road.