KANGPOKPI, May 18: The Kuki National Front (KNF), the mother organization of Kuki underground movement, observed its 29th Raising Day at Ngahmun Play Ground in Tuijang Area of Sadar Hills today.
Twenty nine years back on May 18 in the year 1987, KNF was founded at Molnoi village in Myanmar to become the oldest and mother organization of Kuki militant groups not only in Manipur but the entire North East India while the year 1988 commemorated the first anniversary or Rising Day of the outfit.
Founded by Late Nehlun Kipgen, who allegedly died a martyr’s death in the hands of security forces on October 12, 1993, the Kuki National Front also signaled the birth of the Kuki armed movement allegedly due to non-cognizance of the Kukis demand for a separate homeland through petition in the mid sixties by the Kuki National Assembly.
Later, in 2008 the Kuki National Front came into tripartite agreement, i.e. Suspension of Operation (SoO) under the umbrella of United People’s Front (UPF) with the state Government and the Government of India on August 22, 2008.
Thousand gathered this morning along with the top brass leaders of the Kuki National Front and other Kuki UGs leaders with various civil society organizations including Kuki Inpi Manipur, Thadou Inpi-GHQ to commemorate the 29th Rising Day of the outfit at Ngahmun in Sadar Hills.
Remarkably, the factional groups of the KNF, viz. KNF-MC, KNF-Zougam and KNF-Samuel also took part in the occasion while having a traditional presentation to its mother organization president.
Apart from the out factional groups, UKLF Chairman, SS Haokip, who is also the vice-chairman of United People’s Front (UPF) attended the rising day observation.
KNF supremo ST Thangboi led the flag hoisting ceremony which was followed by singing of the outfit anthem while the outfit Defense Secretary Lala Kipgen led the condolence service in remembrance and respect of fallen comrades of the outfit.
In his presidential speech, ST Thangboi, President KNF, resonate the importance of unity among Kukis and called for re-unification of the Kuki armed groups to accomplished the long cherish dream of the Kukis.
He said that arm is rather an unsafe component which could disorganize the unity of the Kukis and it is not the key and solution for unity among the Kuki brethrens.
After deep analyzing I established, continued ST Thangboi that recognition and strengthening of its own tribe by the various Kuki tribes is important when it comes to unity of the Kukis and it is the only key and solution for unity while adding that disunity has thus far destabilized the society.
The outfit supremo also adoring plea to all the revolutionary groups and factions of the Kuki society to work in unity and welcome all like-minded and patriotic individuals, groups and factions to share the burden of the struggle collectively.
Recalling the history of Kuki political movement, KNF General Secretary, Aaron Kuki said that following the formation of Kuki Chief’s Association in the year 1935 much before the Independence of the biggest republican country India, a social organization christened Kuki National Assembly was formed under the leadership of Javum Misao and T. Kipgen in 1946.
He continued that the Kuki National Assembly had in 1960 submitted the first memorandum on behalf of all the Kukis to the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru asking for a separate administration for the Kukis.
He further said that it