ZUF on KNO statement

Newmai News Network
TAMENGLONG, Dec 4: The Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) has said that the `hanky-panky adventure` of Kuki National Organisation (KNO and other Kuki militant outfits who are under Suspension of Operation (SoO) are demanding the Kuki state which may also be a byproduct of some calculated mileage of certain influential groups that infused the former which caused to surface in the open. The Zeliangrong based militant outfit said that the hill areas of Manipur like Tamenglong, Senapati, Ukrul, Chandel and certain parts of Churachanpur district cannot be considered as the lands of non-Nagas though they co-exist in the later period of time.

A. Dangmei, who is the information secretary of ZUF said that the Nagas for so long have been the land owners allowing other communities to co-exist on certain condition of friendly term on payment of revenue against the lands used for tilling since then.

“The KNO is daring to expose their contemptuous attitude as they display the map of Kuki State demand involving almost all the lands of Nagas inhabited districts of Manipur. It is a folly on the part of the Kuki leaders concerned to have succumbed to certain outside influence targeting to derail Naga claim for geographical and emotional integration which uniqueness of history and present context cannot be detered by anything. Brethren Kukis should not claim the lands of their friends in need or continue to act as the agent for others which may lead to further communal conflict which had occurred twice in history. We do not oppose any genuine demands of Kukis just as we aspect support towards ours”, Dangmei said.

The ZUF leader said that the outfit is obliged by circumstances to speak up in defence of what this front stands for and to clarify position. Haipou Jadonang Malangmei and Rani Gaidinliu in 1920’s had shown the Zeliangrong opposition against foreign interference in the independent existence as in the ancient days. The Nagaraj movement against the British imperialism was the hard case to sow the seed of Zeliangrong protection as well as Naga independence movement. The pioneer indigenous movement in the Tamenglong area also incorporated the fight for the rights of the people contributing towards Manipur and India who were revolting against the same alien power.

The ZUF said it is committed to stick to its foundation to defend the rights of indigenous lands and the people which cannot be compromised though they are not against or other communities doing for their own welfare.

“History cannot be denied that Kukis unleashed reign of terror in 1917 at the cost of innocent villagers who were massacred mercilessly and uprooted their settlement in Tipaimukh and Henlep Sub-Division of the present Churanchanpur district. The Kukis refusing to go as labour corps to Anglo-French war organized arm force to harass the peaceful life of the Zeliangrong villages, viz; Montha, Pongshan Laorongpung, Rangkat, Lungulong (Lungthuleng) Daron (Kahnpi, Longsai, Lungchi, Monphei,(Songkong)and others. Many new names like Pheibong, Lailong, Milongmun, Dongkeng(Old & New)etc. were used in place of Zeliangrong indigenous village names & lands in Henglep and Tipaimuk areas. We are aggrieved to note that Kukis have started jumping into fire again by their ill will or under certain outside influence which is an approach to repeat history of undeclared war or ethnic cleansing. The 1990’s saw such a conflict in the Zeliangrong areas as imposed upon by outside influence like NSCN(IM) and master minded influence on the part of the Kukis as the nature of events of taught us to think and understand now. The Kuki Rebellion 1917 was also caused by un-thoughtful action on the part of the Kukis compounded with external instigation to tame the Nagas who refused to obey the dictat of British-Manipur kingdom,” A. Dangmei alleged.

“It is an earnest appeal to KNO for reconsideration and exclude Zeliangrong lands from the preview of Kuki state demand so that no ethnic tension returns between Kukis and Zeliangrong people”, A Dangmei appeals.