KSO GHQ had communicated to the Hon’able CM of Manipur through an OPEN LETTER their opinion on the prevailing tense political drama in the State caused largely by both the Central/State Govt adopting a communal line of approach in dealing with the issues, thereby knowingly/unknowingly creating unnecessary confusion and communal tension all around. The local press is rife with opinions which are clearly communal in nature adding more fuel to the communal fire that could possibly lead to a disastrous situation for all the communities living in the State. The Kuki Inpi is deeply concerned and is keen to avoid such a situation at all cost and would like to take the privilege of reiterating the opinion already expressed by KSO GHQ mentioned above on the vital political issues that confront the State.
Firstly, the Sadar Hills District is not something that has to be freshly created. It already exists, which is why ADC elections were held very successfully by the Govt to the Sadar Hill Autonomous District Council (NOT Sadar Hills Autonomous Council) with a massive voter turnout. The Govt now has only to ensure that the appropriate administrative structure be in place in order that ‘autonomous’ functioning of the ‘District’ Council is ensured. Instead the State Govt has injected a communal case (where none exists) and invited a lot of unnecessary trouble by resorting to a massive re-organisation exercise possibly to ensure that only the majority community (the Kukis) in the district are covered by the re-organised district and the rest are ‘integrated’ with their respective (community?) districts. Why oppose Naga Integration then? The successful conduct and the people’s response to the very recent ADC election in Sadar Hills district are clear confirmations that reorganization is NOT the immediate requirement. The immediate requirement is for the appropriate administrative structure to be in place, and this immediate requirement should not be linked to the reorganization exercise, which is a sensitive exercise, definitely premature, requires time and must proceed at a reasonable pace.
Secondly, on the issue of Alternative Arrangement for Nagas in Manipur based on uniqueness of the Nagas, we are all aware that Manipur has three main communities living together for centuries. Both Nagas and Kukis are hill tribes compared to the majority non-tribal Meities who live in the plain/valley. As a worldwide policy/practice tribal populations are the weaker section of society and have some sort of alternative arrangement (like here in India) to protect them from oppression/suppression by the majority populace. This universal fact must be recognized by all for harmonious co-existence. There has been a steady influx of tribals from the hill areas of Manipur to Imphal city (the sole destination in the valley perhaps) simply because it is the State capital (NOT a DHQ) and consequently the political/commercial/social hub of the State. A capital city is a place where everyone in the State should have a right to stay/reside. In any case, this influx, like elsewhere in the world, is more of compulsion than choice. To interfere with universal/constitutional protection for weaker section on the ground of a meager influx to the capital city would tantamount not only to inhumane spirit but also to communal hatred
Though ‘alternative arrangement’ based on inherent weakness of a section of society is justified, such arrangement/agenda proposed by the Central Govt (supposedly) only for a particular tribe/community living together with other tribes/communities in the State can only be construed as communal in nature. Every tribe has its own uniqueness, so too every community/person. Hence, ‘uniqueness’ alone cannot be a basis for preferential political treatment. As far as Manipur is concern, we appreciate that our Naga brethren have achieved a lot since independence for which their steadfast efforts and corresponding accommodation by the Govt of India must be credited. In this respect, the Kukis have not been so fortunate. Ever since the 3-year long struggle against the British (1917-19), it has been a politically/economically downward slide for the Kukis. We are now the ‘downtrodden’ in the State! But the fact remains that as far as political rights are concern, the Kukis had fought with all their might (a sustained fight for three long years from 1917-19) against the British to maintain their political control/supremacy covering the entire hill area of Manipur at the time, clearly stamping their political ownership and right to the hill area of Manipur. The majority Meiteis of the plains too had done the same on a separate/earlier occasion.
Considering all of the above, we earnestly appeal to both the Central/State Govt to study the situation in Manipur in depth with great care and caution. We urge for an unbiased, non-communal and justified approach/solution to the burning issues. Only such approach/solution can ensure lasting peace, communal harmony and equitable development/progress in the State of Manipur, the jewel of India.
Firstly, the Sadar Hills District is not something that has to be freshly created. It already exists, which is why ADC elections were held very successfully by the Govt to the Sadar Hill Autonomous District Council (NOT Sadar Hills Autonomous Council) with a massive voter turnout. The Govt now has only to ensure that the appropriate administrative structure be in place in order that ‘autonomous’ functioning of the ‘District’ Council is ensured. Instead the State Govt has injected a communal case (where none exists) and invited a lot of unnecessary trouble by resorting to a massive re-organisation exercise possibly to ensure that only the majority community (the Kukis) in the district are covered by the re-organised district and the rest are ‘integrated’ with their respective (community?) districts. Why oppose Naga Integration then? The successful conduct and the people’s response to the very recent ADC election in Sadar Hills district are clear confirmations that reorganization is NOT the immediate requirement. The immediate requirement is for the appropriate administrative structure to be in place, and this immediate requirement should not be linked to the reorganization exercise, which is a sensitive exercise, definitely premature, requires time and must proceed at a reasonable pace.
Secondly, on the issue of Alternative Arrangement for Nagas in Manipur based on uniqueness of the Nagas, we are all aware that Manipur has three main communities living together for centuries. Both Nagas and Kukis are hill tribes compared to the majority non-tribal Meities who live in the plain/valley. As a worldwide policy/practice tribal populations are the weaker section of society and have some sort of alternative arrangement (like here in India) to protect them from oppression/suppression by the majority populace. This universal fact must be recognized by all for harmonious co-existence. There has been a steady influx of tribals from the hill areas of Manipur to Imphal city (the sole destination in the valley perhaps) simply because it is the State capital (NOT a DHQ) and consequently the political/commercial/social hub of the State. A capital city is a place where everyone in the State should have a right to stay/reside. In any case, this influx, like elsewhere in the world, is more of compulsion than choice. To interfere with universal/constitutional protection for weaker section on the ground of a meager influx to the capital city would tantamount not only to inhumane spirit but also to communal hatred
Though ‘alternative arrangement’ based on inherent weakness of a section of society is justified, such arrangement/agenda proposed by the Central Govt (supposedly) only for a particular tribe/community living together with other tribes/communities in the State can only be construed as communal in nature. Every tribe has its own uniqueness, so too every community/person. Hence, ‘uniqueness’ alone cannot be a basis for preferential political treatment. As far as Manipur is concern, we appreciate that our Naga brethren have achieved a lot since independence for which their steadfast efforts and corresponding accommodation by the Govt of India must be credited. In this respect, the Kukis have not been so fortunate. Ever since the 3-year long struggle against the British (1917-19), it has been a politically/economically downward slide for the Kukis. We are now the ‘downtrodden’ in the State! But the fact remains that as far as political rights are concern, the Kukis had fought with all their might (a sustained fight for three long years from 1917-19) against the British to maintain their political control/supremacy covering the entire hill area of Manipur at the time, clearly stamping their political ownership and right to the hill area of Manipur. The majority Meiteis of the plains too had done the same on a separate/earlier occasion.
Considering all of the above, we earnestly appeal to both the Central/State Govt to study the situation in Manipur in depth with great care and caution. We urge for an unbiased, non-communal and justified approach/solution to the burning issues. Only such approach/solution can ensure lasting peace, communal harmony and equitable development/progress in the State of Manipur, the jewel of India.
