Imphal, June 15: While lauding the stand of the NSCN (IM) over the recent Moreh outrage, the KNO has however made the status of the Kukis in Nagaland clear.

Responding to the remark of the NSCN (IM), "Kukis in Nagaland are very much Nagas and within Naga fold," KNO said that Kukis are recognised as one of the indigenous tribes of Nagaland and not as a Naga tribe.

Going back to history, KNO in a statement said that the late Lengjang Kuki, one of the founding fathers of Naga Club was a signatory to the Simon Commission on January 10, 1929 representing the Kukis of Nagaland.

In addition to this, Late Seikhohen Kuki and Jangkhosei Kuki were elected to the Naga National Council in 1946 representing the Kuki tribe.

Besides these Kuki leaders such as late Onpao Kuki, late Paochung Kuki, late Dr Lenzalal Kuki along with the Kukis of Nagaland put their finger prints in favour of Naga independence in the Plebiscite carried out in Nagaland on May 16, 1951. The Kukis in Nagaland have been given equal rights, opportunities and protection as bonafide citizens to uphold their identities as Kuki people, added KNO.

However since the 1990s over 150 Kukis have been killed and 14 village shave been burnt mainly due to outside influence, said the outfit.

The KNO declared that all Naga tribes living within Kuki ancestral territory, Zalengam, will be accorded equal rights, status, opportunity and protection to uphold their Naga identity.

The mutual respect, understanding and peaceful was however strained during the genocide launched by the NSCN (IM) from the beginning of 1992, recalled KNO.

Though the KNO abhorred the action of the NSCN (IM), it was never against the Naga people, asserted the statement and urged the IM group to discard their parochial ideology.

If the NSCN (IM) relents and gives up its claims on Kukis ancestral land and issues and unconditional apology for killing over 900 innocent Kukis and displacing thousands of the Kuki people, then KNO is ready to forgive the NSCN (IM) and will keep its doors open for future co-operation in the twin struggle to redeem the right to self determination and self rule, respectively for the Kukis and the Nagas, added the statement.