KNO writes to CM N Biren for non-inclusion of Kuki ancestral lands in the NSCN (IM) ‘Framework Agreement’

OFFICE  OF THE

KUKI NATIONAL ORGANISATION

GOVERNMENT OF ZALE’N-GAM

Dated,14 December 2018

Shri N Biren

Hon’ble Chief Minister

Government of Manipur

Imphal – 795001

MANIPUR

Subject: NON-INCLUSION OF THE FOLLOWING IN NSCN (IM) FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT: CHASSAD (KAMJONG), LAIJANG (TAMENGLONG), MONGKOTJANG (NONEY),PHOIBUNG (SENAPATI).

Hon’ble Chief Minister,

The Kuki National Organisation would like to draw your kind attention regarding non-inclusion of Kuki ancestral lands in the NSCN (IM) ‘Framework Agreement’. The historical account of our ancestral lands with respect to Chassad (Kmjong), Laijang (Tamenglong), Mongkotjang (Noney) and Phoibung (Senapati) is set out for your perusal:

1. CHASSAD (KAMJONG)

In AD 33, two Kuki chiefs, Kuki Achouba and Kuki Ahongba were allies of Pakhangba, the Meitei king. Khaba-Nangba, the younger twin brothers of NongbaLairen Pakhangba contested the right to ascend the throne. Having failed, the brothers fled to the Highlands, the abode of Kuki, known to Meitei as Chingburoi. The descendants of Khaba-Nganba settled at HundungKhullen and HundungKhonou and Ningthi, which is in Kamjong district.

In 1985, NSCN (IM) and PLA met at Hundung, where they feasted and exchanged gifts. For the record, our Meitei brothers must not confuse Tangkhul and the descendants of Khaba- Nganba. Tangkhul people are from Somra Tract in Myanmar (Burma) and are a different ethnic entity from Meitei and Kuki.

HundungKhullen, HundungKhunou and Ningthi constitute Kamjong, land of Chingburoi, where Khaba-Ngaba settled. These areas must not be included in the NSCN (IM) and Government of India ‘framework agreement’ and become part of Nagalim.

Besides the New Kukis, the other kindred Old Kuki clans people of Chassad are Mongmi and Kharan (both ethnically Maring), Lairam (Lai people) and Kharam. The Tangkhul people from Somra Tract in present-day Myanmar (Burma) often raided Mongmi, Kharan, Kamo, Lairam (Lai people) and Kharam, who were then protected by the chief of Chassad and received tax and tributes.

KHARAN DIALECT SPEAKING VILLAGES OF KANGPOKPI AND UKHRUL DISTRICTS:

1. KHAMBI, 2. NONGMAN, 3. SORTE, 4. SORBUNG, 5. MAILENG, 6. PUNGE,
2. SORATHEN, 8. KHONGLO, 9. KUMRAM, 10. SAMAN, 11. SARAM, 12. LISAMLOK,
3. KAPRANG, 14. LEMBAKHUL, 15. POIROU, 16. SHUNGRIPHAI, 17. KANGNGOI,
4. TANGKHUL KHULLEN, 19. KONGLAIRAM, 20. IRONG ATO,
5. SADA KHUMBI, 22. SADA LUNGTHAR, 23. HEINGANGLOK,
6. NGARANPHUNG, 25. KHARAN, 26. CHONGDAN, 27. LEIHAOPOKPI,
7. MAKAN, 29. LEISIPHUNG

MONGMI DIALECT SPEAKING VILLAGES OF KANGPOKPI AND UKHRUL DISTRICTS:

1. NAMBASI KHULLEN, 2. NAMBASI KHONOU, 3. NAMBASI VALLEY, 4. KASUNG,
2. MONTHOURAM, 6. K. ASHANGKHOLLEN, 7. WANGLEE,  8. PUNOMRAM,
3. HORTON

LAIRAM DIALECT SPEAKING VILLAGES OF UKHRUL AND TENNGNOUPAL DISTRICTS:

1. LAIRAM KHOLLEN, 2. LAIRAM PHUNGKA, 3. TARONG,   4. KHUNTHAK,
2. MAWAI, 6. REISHANGPHUNG,  7. KASOM KHOLLEN, 8. KASOM KHONOU,
3. ASHANG KHOLLEN, 10. KHOIRIPOK,  11.  SHANGPUNRAM,  1 2. K. SOMREI,
4. RISOPHUNG, 14. YEASOM,  15. RINGPHAM,  16. MARYLAND,  17. TAMARAM,
5. KHAMLANG

KHARAN DIALECT SPEAKING VILLAGES OF KANGPOKPI AND UKHRUL DISTRICTS:

1. KHAMBI, 2. NONGMAN, 3. SORTE,  4. SORBUNG,  5. MAILENG,  6. PUNGE,
2. SORATHEN, 8. KHONGLO, 9. KUMRAM, 10. SAMAN, 11. SARAM, 12. LISAMLOK,
3. KAPRANG, 14. LEMBAKHUL, 15. POIROU, 16. SHUNGRIPHAI, 17. KANGNGOI,
4. TANGKHUL KHULLEN, 19. KONGLAIRAM,  20. IRONG ATO,
5. SADA KHUMBI, 22. SADA LUNGTHAR, 23. HEINGANGLOK,
6. NGARANPHUNG, 25. KHARAN,  26. CHONGDAN,  27. LEIHAOPOKPI,
7. MAKAN, 29. LEISIPHUNG

MONGMI DIALECT SPEAKING VILLAGES OF KANGPOKPI AND UKHRUL DISTRICTS:

1. NAMBASI KHULLEN, 2. NAMBASI KHONOU, 3. NAMBASI VALLEY, 4. KASUNG,
2. MONTHOURAM, 6. K. ASHANGKHOLLEN, 7. WANGLEE,  8. PUNOMRAM,
3. HORTON

LAIRAM DIALECT SPEAKING VILLAGES OF UKHRUL AND TENNGNOUPAL DISTRICTS:

1. LAIRAM KHOLLEN, 2. LAIRAM PHUNGKA, 3. TARONG,  4. KHUNTHAK,
2. MAWAI, 6. REISHANGPHUNG,  7. KASOM KHOLLEN, 8. KASOM KHONOU,
3. ASHANG KHOLLEN, 10. KHOIRIPOK, 11. SHANGPUNRAM,  12. K. SOMREI,
4. RISOPHUNG, 14. YEASOM,  15. RINGPHAM,  16. MARYLAND,  17. TAMARAM,
5. KHAMLANG

LAIJANG (TAMENGLONG), MONGKOTJANG (NONEY)

The Zeimi, Liangmei, Rongmei and Paomei people, who comprise Zalienrong of present-day Tamenglong are of ethnic Kuki-Chin stock. In days gone by, the Sukte Poi and Lusei people of Chin Hills and present-day Mizoram drove them to Churachandpur, Tamenglong and Sinjol, Sailhem and Bombal villages of Peren District of Nagaland. The Kuki chiefs, prominently Pu JamchungnungSingson chief of Khongjang and his son Pu NgullenSingson; chief of Jampi, and chief of Laijang fought back Sukte Poi and Lusei, and gave shelter to Zaliengrong people and settled them in Kuki ancestral land, and received tax and tributes. Pu Manga Singson narrated the bravery of his grandfather, the Chief of Khongjang, whose army consisted of 80 strong bachelors aged 50 years, plus hundreds of young men. They fought the Suhte Poi and Lusei people at GALKAPKOT, situated in south Churachandpur district of Manipur.

Over the years, however, generations of Zaliengrong that followed, not recalling the relations with Kukis resented the practice of tax and tributes, and were loyal to the British in the Anglo-Kuki War, 1917-1919. Later, they became instruments of NSCN (IM) against Kukis and demanded tax. Nevertheless, just as oil and water cannot mix, they soon realised that they are not secure under NSCN (IM) and to assert their independence formed the Zalienrong United Front.

According to Pu Ngurdola, in Tripura, the Langrong, Ranglong or ChoraiKukis are known as Zaliengrong in Tamenglong and Noney districts of Manipur, Peren District of Nagaland and North Cachar Hills in Assam.

Today, the Zaliengrong people recall their origins and recite,

SINLUNG SINLUNG

NAP BIRU TIO TIO,

CHINA BUSIANG GEN GEN

APEH ALENG TE

KOI, JOU LIPADLO

Rough translation: When kids got hungry they sang this song to their grandma asking for food, thinking the tiffin they brought from Singlung, China was still there.

Given the fact that Zaliengrong are ethnic Kuki-Chin group, Noney district and Tamenglong district must not be included in the NSCN (IM) framework agreement. They must remain a part of Manipur.

3. PAOMEI PEOPLE OF PHOIBUNG (SENAPATI)

The Paomei people of Senapati (formerly Phoibu) are also part of the Kuki-Chin group, like Zalienrong. The Suhte Poi and Lushei (Mizo) also forced them out, but the Kuki chiefs fought back them and settled the Paomei in Kuki ancestral land known as Phoibung, which was changed to Senapati. The people of village Yangkholen in Senapati district are Tuboi Kuki. The wave of Nagaisation led to forced assimilation of Paomei and Tuboi Kuki to Naga. Their lands are part of Kuki ancestral lands.

In regard to the Kuki and Naga boundary issue, I request the Hon’ble Chief Minister to ensure facts, based on legal documentation of land ownership rights and history, are taken into account.

Yours Sincerely,

(PS Haokip)
President, Kuki National Organisation
Zale’n-gam
MANMASI