Madam,
The present turmoil in the state of Manipur due to the imposition of Economic blockade along NH. No. 39 (within the stretch of 20 km. long Kuki dominated area) from 1st to 3rd of August and thereupon indefinite General Strike from 4th of August till date by the so- called Sadar Hills District Demand Committee needs your special attention. Enforcing General Strike and Economic Blockade for nearly a month in the most violent attitude, endangering thousands of population and the state Government acting as mire spectator simply means that law and order is out of control. Therefore, the urgent of the state of Manipur is declaration of “Emergency” if situation is to be put to control from bad to worst.
No doubt, in a democratic country like India, every individual or community have every right to live, to lay down one’s desire or wants and aspiration to the Government but the demand for Sadar Hills District, may be beyond consideration and the law of the land. Every happening has its own reason, every child has its parents and every people has its own history and the history of the Kukis does not guarantee the right to demand for Sadar Hills. 80% of the propose Sadar Hills District historically and traditionally belongs to the Liangmais who were describe as Kacha Naga, Kabui, Koupees or Quoireng or Kwoirengs by different writers and officially Kacha Naga and 20% to other Nagas.
The Kukis, who constitutes the so-call SHDDC are foreign by origin and make their first appearance in the present land only after 1830s with the arrival of the East India Company. The were brought by the British India to the present land mainly to deployed them as domestic helpers, as transporters, as messengers or dak carriers and to fight against the independent Naga Village Kingdoms in the Hills between India and Burma vai Imphal.
Sir Jams Johnstone in his books, Manipur and the Naga Hills, 1896, P - 25 writes “The Kookies are a wondering race consisting of several tribes who have long been working up from the south. They were first heard of Kookies, in Manipur between 1830 and 1840...........soon poured into the hill tracts of Manipur in such numbers as to drive away the older inhabitants”.
” T.C. Hodson in his book “The Naga Tribes of Manipur 1911”, P-2 writes “We are like the birds of the air; said a Kuki to me once, ‘we make our nest here this years and who knows where we shall build next year”. These statements clearly indicates and describes the origin and history of the Kukis.
They were made to occupied the present land at the mercy of the Nagas on payment revenues which is paid in cash or kind, sometimes money, animal, wine, paddy, etc called Rampon Ramkha or Lamban a common word. Taking the advantage of the Nagas simplicity and honesty and granting them maximum leniency, the Kukis have gradually ceased to pay revenues since the closing part of 1969 as they began to demand a separate Homeland under the banner Kuki National Assembly and subsequently Sardar Hills District by Kuki Chief Zonal Council Manipur since 1972. To cite some present Kuki Villages that came into exist at the mercy of the Liangmai Naga are as below :
1. Kangpokpi, Nungphao, Songpiyang at the mercy of Aling.
2. Kotlen at the mercy of Nongmai.
3. T. Vaichong at the mercy of
Mbumai.
4. Gelnal at the mercy of Gailongmai.
5. Changoubung at the mercy of Zailongmai.
6. Hengbung at the mercy of
Maremmai.
7. Haipi at the mercy of Npemai.
8. Laloi at the mercy of Khebam.
9. Lasan at the mercyof Tanunglong.
10. Thenjang at the mercy
of Karalong.
11. Songjang at the mercy of
Bena (Thonglang).
12. Phailenkot at the mercy of
Oklong.
13. Laikot at the mercy of Kanem.
14. Songtung at the mcery
of Makaphung.
15. Karakhun at the mercy
of Chaungmum.
16. Harup Kuki at the mercy
of Harup Naga.
17. Kiku Taphou at the mercy
of Taphou Naga.
Even some Naga, Nepali and Meitei Village came into existance in this region at the mercy of the Liangmai. For example,
1. Daili Village, Yangkongpao, Tumnoupokpi and Toribari a Nepali Village at the mercy of Alingmai.
2. T. Khullen, Mayangkhang and Ningthoupham at the mercy of Chawangkening (Bena/Thonglang).
3. Phymai Taphou and Rikhumai Taphou at the mercy of Taphou Naga.
4. Maram Khunou at the mercy of Makuilongdi.
5. Sekmai a meitei dominated pity township at the mercy of Nsakmai.
6. Kanglatongbi a Meitei, Nepali and Liangmai dominated pity township at the mercy of Nkhen (Makhan) and so on.
Now the question is? Do India and the Meiteis (Manipuris) has a history prior to 1830? If yes, we also have our own history, moreover, we belong to an independent group kept under forceful captivity of New Delhi, we are never subject to any Meitei (Manipuri) or Hindustani Maharaja at any time. Nagas have declare Independence on 14th August 1947 one day prior to India’s Independence but kept in abeyance by New Delhi until its recognition and announcement of cease fire between Indian and Naga Army (NSCN) on 25 July, 1997 till date and timely talk at the highest level that is Prime Minister’s level.
Recognising the history of the land and rights of the people. Till date as many as 4 (four) Memorandum of Understandings were signed between various Naga Organisations and so called Manipur State Govt. in the matter of Sadar Hills District with ANSAM in 1981, with NSF in 1992, with UNC in 1996 and with ANSAM and UNC in 1998. Inspite of all the facts and history of the land, the Meiteis and some vested politicians are adding fuel to the fire for their political gains, although the state has witness the worst outcome in the year between 1992 to 1995 losing thousands of lives and properties because of the Kuki revolt. People may come and go, leaders may change but the history will remain as it is.
Now, therefore, the state of Manipur truly need your esteem interference and declaration of ‘Emergency” to combat law and order situation in the state and bring about peace and harmony in the region. Some few reasons:
1. The Manipur State Govt. is incompetent to combat the turmoil law and order situation of the State endangering thousands of lives because of almost a month long general strike by the SHDDC a communities compose of Kukis who were foreign by origin and Momads by character.
2. Manipur state Govt. encourages foreign migration to India. This is substantively proof by reading the census report of 1971, 1981 and 2001. Saikul Block has 13 Kuki Village till 1971 but have reached to the mark of 69 in 2001, in Kangpokpi 171 out of 59 Village and Saitu block 115 out of 29. Where have all there people come from? This is a total abnormal growth of population figure even as compare to the primitive tribal society, what have the state Govt. done?
3. Declaration and enforcement of counter blockade by UNC since 21st Aug., 2011 adding more burden to the problem.
Lastly but not the least, the Nagas are never against creation of Sardar Hills District or granting a Homeland for the Kukis. But we will never surrender our ancestral domain, even an inch for creation of Sadar Hills. This is our legitimate right. If political demand fo the Kukis for Homeland or Sadar Hills is seems rightful to the Govt. of India or Manipur, why not Imphal East or West, Bishnupur or any part of India be name and offer for the Kukis with certain legitimate rights as Kikugam or Kuki Homeland or Sadar Hills? Why at the expense of the Nagas, when Nagas are totally against it?
Looking forward for your wise decision.
Thanking you Ma’am.
Yours faithfully,
L.STEPHEN MAKUIMAI
Bena Tababang (Thonglang)
Senapati District, Manipur.
lungphakstephenmk@gmail.com
The present turmoil in the state of Manipur due to the imposition of Economic blockade along NH. No. 39 (within the stretch of 20 km. long Kuki dominated area) from 1st to 3rd of August and thereupon indefinite General Strike from 4th of August till date by the so- called Sadar Hills District Demand Committee needs your special attention. Enforcing General Strike and Economic Blockade for nearly a month in the most violent attitude, endangering thousands of population and the state Government acting as mire spectator simply means that law and order is out of control. Therefore, the urgent of the state of Manipur is declaration of “Emergency” if situation is to be put to control from bad to worst.
No doubt, in a democratic country like India, every individual or community have every right to live, to lay down one’s desire or wants and aspiration to the Government but the demand for Sadar Hills District, may be beyond consideration and the law of the land. Every happening has its own reason, every child has its parents and every people has its own history and the history of the Kukis does not guarantee the right to demand for Sadar Hills. 80% of the propose Sadar Hills District historically and traditionally belongs to the Liangmais who were describe as Kacha Naga, Kabui, Koupees or Quoireng or Kwoirengs by different writers and officially Kacha Naga and 20% to other Nagas.
The Kukis, who constitutes the so-call SHDDC are foreign by origin and make their first appearance in the present land only after 1830s with the arrival of the East India Company. The were brought by the British India to the present land mainly to deployed them as domestic helpers, as transporters, as messengers or dak carriers and to fight against the independent Naga Village Kingdoms in the Hills between India and Burma vai Imphal.
Sir Jams Johnstone in his books, Manipur and the Naga Hills, 1896, P - 25 writes “The Kookies are a wondering race consisting of several tribes who have long been working up from the south. They were first heard of Kookies, in Manipur between 1830 and 1840...........soon poured into the hill tracts of Manipur in such numbers as to drive away the older inhabitants”.
” T.C. Hodson in his book “The Naga Tribes of Manipur 1911”, P-2 writes “We are like the birds of the air; said a Kuki to me once, ‘we make our nest here this years and who knows where we shall build next year”. These statements clearly indicates and describes the origin and history of the Kukis.
They were made to occupied the present land at the mercy of the Nagas on payment revenues which is paid in cash or kind, sometimes money, animal, wine, paddy, etc called Rampon Ramkha or Lamban a common word. Taking the advantage of the Nagas simplicity and honesty and granting them maximum leniency, the Kukis have gradually ceased to pay revenues since the closing part of 1969 as they began to demand a separate Homeland under the banner Kuki National Assembly and subsequently Sardar Hills District by Kuki Chief Zonal Council Manipur since 1972. To cite some present Kuki Villages that came into exist at the mercy of the Liangmai Naga are as below :
1. Kangpokpi, Nungphao, Songpiyang at the mercy of Aling.
2. Kotlen at the mercy of Nongmai.
3. T. Vaichong at the mercy of
Mbumai.
4. Gelnal at the mercy of Gailongmai.
5. Changoubung at the mercy of Zailongmai.
6. Hengbung at the mercy of
Maremmai.
7. Haipi at the mercy of Npemai.
8. Laloi at the mercy of Khebam.
9. Lasan at the mercyof Tanunglong.
10. Thenjang at the mercy
of Karalong.
11. Songjang at the mercy of
Bena (Thonglang).
12. Phailenkot at the mercy of
Oklong.
13. Laikot at the mercy of Kanem.
14. Songtung at the mcery
of Makaphung.
15. Karakhun at the mercy
of Chaungmum.
16. Harup Kuki at the mercy
of Harup Naga.
17. Kiku Taphou at the mercy
of Taphou Naga.
Even some Naga, Nepali and Meitei Village came into existance in this region at the mercy of the Liangmai. For example,
1. Daili Village, Yangkongpao, Tumnoupokpi and Toribari a Nepali Village at the mercy of Alingmai.
2. T. Khullen, Mayangkhang and Ningthoupham at the mercy of Chawangkening (Bena/Thonglang).
3. Phymai Taphou and Rikhumai Taphou at the mercy of Taphou Naga.
4. Maram Khunou at the mercy of Makuilongdi.
5. Sekmai a meitei dominated pity township at the mercy of Nsakmai.
6. Kanglatongbi a Meitei, Nepali and Liangmai dominated pity township at the mercy of Nkhen (Makhan) and so on.
Now the question is? Do India and the Meiteis (Manipuris) has a history prior to 1830? If yes, we also have our own history, moreover, we belong to an independent group kept under forceful captivity of New Delhi, we are never subject to any Meitei (Manipuri) or Hindustani Maharaja at any time. Nagas have declare Independence on 14th August 1947 one day prior to India’s Independence but kept in abeyance by New Delhi until its recognition and announcement of cease fire between Indian and Naga Army (NSCN) on 25 July, 1997 till date and timely talk at the highest level that is Prime Minister’s level.
Recognising the history of the land and rights of the people. Till date as many as 4 (four) Memorandum of Understandings were signed between various Naga Organisations and so called Manipur State Govt. in the matter of Sadar Hills District with ANSAM in 1981, with NSF in 1992, with UNC in 1996 and with ANSAM and UNC in 1998. Inspite of all the facts and history of the land, the Meiteis and some vested politicians are adding fuel to the fire for their political gains, although the state has witness the worst outcome in the year between 1992 to 1995 losing thousands of lives and properties because of the Kuki revolt. People may come and go, leaders may change but the history will remain as it is.
Now, therefore, the state of Manipur truly need your esteem interference and declaration of ‘Emergency” to combat law and order situation in the state and bring about peace and harmony in the region. Some few reasons:
1. The Manipur State Govt. is incompetent to combat the turmoil law and order situation of the State endangering thousands of lives because of almost a month long general strike by the SHDDC a communities compose of Kukis who were foreign by origin and Momads by character.
2. Manipur state Govt. encourages foreign migration to India. This is substantively proof by reading the census report of 1971, 1981 and 2001. Saikul Block has 13 Kuki Village till 1971 but have reached to the mark of 69 in 2001, in Kangpokpi 171 out of 59 Village and Saitu block 115 out of 29. Where have all there people come from? This is a total abnormal growth of population figure even as compare to the primitive tribal society, what have the state Govt. done?
3. Declaration and enforcement of counter blockade by UNC since 21st Aug., 2011 adding more burden to the problem.
Lastly but not the least, the Nagas are never against creation of Sardar Hills District or granting a Homeland for the Kukis. But we will never surrender our ancestral domain, even an inch for creation of Sadar Hills. This is our legitimate right. If political demand fo the Kukis for Homeland or Sadar Hills is seems rightful to the Govt. of India or Manipur, why not Imphal East or West, Bishnupur or any part of India be name and offer for the Kukis with certain legitimate rights as Kikugam or Kuki Homeland or Sadar Hills? Why at the expense of the Nagas, when Nagas are totally against it?
Looking forward for your wise decision.
Thanking you Ma’am.
Yours faithfully,
L.STEPHEN MAKUIMAI
Bena Tababang (Thonglang)
Senapati District, Manipur.
lungphakstephenmk@gmail.com
