A Tribute to the Heroes of Kukis

G S Oinam *

A question of Kuki heroes' remembrance came into light and due initiative has been taken up by the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) recently but the fact is that it is a long awaiting agenda to the heart of Kuki people since many years.

Great Kuki leaders like Pu Chengjapao Doungel, Pu Lhukhomang Haokip, Pu Tintong Haokip who took active leadership in the Kuki Uprising 1917- 1919 ( Khongsai War ) against the British imperialism apart from Pu Thangal General, wanted to be remember and recognized by the state government as Kuki heroes.

Manipur will wish to remember all our forefather who had sacrificed their live for the cause of freedom struggle against the British apart from our national heroes and their foot be printed on the sand of time with regardless to creed, cast, religion etc. and our great warriors and freedom fighters name should be printed on the pillar of "Sahid Minnor" Mapal kangjeibung, Imphal.

Though the accreditation and reorganization of heroes is purely base on academic and historical fact finding, a common person has nothing to do at the beginning. Social acceptance and political support will follow up later. Therefore, there is no question of indifference on minority or majority of the population in the process of reorganization of Kuki hero/ Naga hero.

The Chiru Kuki tribe is not only close to the Chothe and Purum but also to those who are under the denomination of Komrem and even to the Lushei and the Hmar. Chiru leader Pu Thangal General is still remembering and accepting as a great general in the history of the Manipur.

Will the Kukis be accepted Pu Thangal Gereral as Kuki hero? If yes, Kukis can relief for some time until our historian justifying the accreditation of many Kuki heroes. If no, many questions may arise among the kukis and the Manipuries. More research work, seminar, conference etc on the history of Manipur especially on tribal culture is required to protect the identity of ethnic groups.

Kukis in particular has to deal with more research work on the origin of Kuki tribe / Sub tribes. Some of the Kuki tribes recognized by the Manipur government have been assimilated to Naga recently and some are denial of being a Kuki.

More over, Kukis in North East has been subjected to certain recorrection officially. For example Gangte, Riang, Sukte, Vaiphei are recognized under any Kuki tribes in Assam, Meghalaya and Mizoram. While Gangte, Sukte and Vaiphei are recognized as separate tribes, Riang is supposedly not a Kuki tribe in Tripura.

Paites of Manipur who are none other than of various Kuki sub clans, and who disowned their Kuki identity, are recognized under any Kuki tribe or Sub tribes in the state of Tripura. They are recognized as Sukte (which they do not accept) in the state of Assam, Meghalaya and Mizoram. Khawthlang (Hmar) is recognized under any Kuki tribes in the S.T. list of Assam, Meghalaya and Mizoram. The Hmar are not recognized in the state of Tripura.

The Nagaland state S.T. list follows a very different pattern and has only Kuki, Naga and other three tribes. Kuki has no list of sub tribes in 4 states viz; Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura.

In Manipur, Kukis were peacefully co existence with Meitei. There is no record of Meitei-Kuki confrontation in the history of Manipur. Kukis at Haokip Veng near palace compound is none other then loyalist guards to the Maharaja of Manipur. It is learn that a group of Kuki chiefs, who were determined to help Maharaja Budhachandra Singh and resist the merger agreement.

The Kuki chiefs and 200-300 volunteers with muzzle loading guns were kept at the gate of palace to protect the Maharaja and his kingdom. The Maharaja, out of his love for his supporters, the Haokip chief and volunteers who stood by him for his protection and independent Manipur during those eventful moments of merger agreement till the last minute have granted the Haokips to settle at Haokip Veng which itself is an axiom.

Kukis are courageous, honest and trustworthy friends of Meitei since the time immemorial. We hope kukis demand for heroes' recognisation will be consider by the state government and more research and discussion on Kuki uprising 1891 will be very helpful to build up the strength of unity and integrity in the state and Kuki sub tribes in NE in particular.