Argument for the need of a separate Kuki State

Zalaithang Kuki *

Kuki State Map - Pix Courtesy - TSE

Introduction : Readers may find this article very childish. But innocent children always speak the truth.

There is "Famine of TRUTH" in Manipur and justice is far from us.TRUTH has become a scarce commodity in our State. The true history of the Kukis has been distorted; and their contributions to defend the territory of Manipur in the past days have been ignored and are christened with many undesirable names by some half-baked self-style writers. It is a well-known historical FACT that the kukis have bravely fought the mighty British Empire during 1917-1919; which is famously known as "The Kuki Rebellion" or "The Great Kuki War of Independence" in many historical books of Manipur. Now the question is "How Foreigners can fight the Mighty British Empire?" I am citing only one Historical Truths. There is ample evidence which can be quoted in support of Kukis past Glorious History.

If Kukis are term as Foreigner in Manipur; then the entire Communities residing in Manipur are also Foreigners. Because nobody sprang up from the soil like Mushrooms or like a Fish from Loktak Lake. Every community have originated from somewhere and settled here in Manipur.

This Article will focus on contemporary attitude of the valley brethren towards the kukis during the past 40 years since the attainment of statehood. In short "40 years of negligence" towards the Kukis in Manipur; which necessitate the demand for a separate State.

1. In our state, since the attainment of Statehood in 1972, we hardly find any CM intentionally visiting the hill sub-divisions to freely mingle with the people and feel their grievances as leader of the State: except on some inauguration programs of Big-projects. But we all know that all subdivisions do not have Mega-Projects.

Early this year, we came across an article in one daily newspaper using the term like "ZERO Ibobi, ZERO Kilometer" meaning the CM and his Cabinet Ministers influence and development activities confined within the radius of 1 Km. This is unacceptable in many ways. Because any CM is CM of the whole State and should think for the whole State.

Majority of Big projects meant for the whole development of Manipur are confined in Imphal area only. We need not mention it here. Everybody knows it.

So, if the prominent leaders of our State do not bother about what is happening in the Hill area; the question of having separate State or alternative arrangement is the only way for self-advancement.

Manipur will become a developed State when all the districts and sub-divisions are developed. But for our leaders development of Imphal area is development of Manipur. Since our leaders are not concerned about the development of hill areas, we need to look for separate State for more development funds, for new leaders who can feel the pulse of the hill people.

2. We often used words like "All-Manipur "while forming Students' Union, or any kind of Social organizations: when our operational and area of influence are confined to one specific area only; i.e Valley only.

Let's take the case of students union with the prefix or suffix All Manipur. As far as my understanding is concerned since its inception till date: we never came across any such student leaders visiting schools in Hill area. As a student body of "All-Manipur" the student leaders should not confine its activities within Valley Districts only but should conduct Block Level Education Campaign (Both Hills & Valleys) for motivating students and conduct career counseling, etc. at least once in a year /once in two-three years.

Though, we often used prefixed word like "All-Manipur" we never work for what our name stands for. We confine our activities only uptoLamlai in Ukhrul road, upto Sekmai in Senapati Line, upto Pangei only in Saikhul road, upto Pallel in Moreh/ Chandel line, upto New Keithelmanbi & Kangchup area in Tamenglong road and upto Moirang in CCpur Line. We don't want to go the Extra-Mile.

Since, if a big students' organization with 'All Manipur' prefix or suffix don't care for the hill people and work only for a particular community, then the neglected group of people need to find alternative means for their own development and empowerment. Hence, the need for a separate State.

Same case with other social organizations and Meira Paibis etc, etc.

If the valley brethren don't bother for the less developed community /hill people of Manipur and don't want to play the role of Big-Brother, automatically the small brother will have to find other survival methods.

When you care only for your own development for the last 40 years: why the hue & cry, when the neglected people constitutionally approach the Central government for their grievances.

3. Many roads in Hill area have potholes but all the good roads in Imphal are repaired again & again. So, if our leaders "don't think out of the box" for grass-root development: if our leaders think locally and act locally; when the far-flung areas are neglected: then the questions of having self-governance within a separate State are bound to arise.

4. Whenever, any hill people came to Imphal with shabby clothes for festival shopping, instead of guiding them properly, everyone (from the Rickshaw puller to Shop Keepers) take advantage of their simplicity and be-fool them by charging double price of their normal rates.

This is a very common scene/drama that is taking place daily at the very nose of our Hon'ble Khakhi wallas.

If justice is far from us; and if we are cheated in our own capital by our own brothers; then it is not debatable for us to have separate State where we may be able to live a dignified life regardless of our status, dress, and behavior.

5. The root cause of Hill-Tensions in the early 1990's was the imposition and collection Taxes by some misguided Naga marauders led by NSCN –IM on the Kukis. When it was opposed by the Kukis saying "we have already paid House tax" to the Government of Manipur: this led to the massacre of more than 900 innocent lives, uprooting of 367 Villages rendering more than 50000 people homeless: the Government of Manipur and the valley people remain a silent spectator. Some of our Meitei brethren; instead of playing the role of peace-mediator clapped their hands by saying "Ching da Yaosang Meithare"

So, inspite of our loyalty to the Government of Manipur, we are left defenseless. When the parents failed to protect, their children are bound to look for other options; and this necessitate the need for a separate Kuki State.

6. In many of our Manipuri Digital Films, in order to tie the gaps between the Hill-Valley people some of our prominent film producers and directors used to make films focusing on our relationships. But the roles depicting Kukis are always presented in such a way that the audience may view the Kukis negatively. To cite some example : such as the mad –man in "Churanthaba"-who play with his own dung, the CSW lady in MAMI film wearing Kuki's traditional phanek.

"But CSW are found in every community".

These are some of my personal (in Child's Perspective) view of the attitude of our valley brethren on the Kukis: who are less advanced than other community in Manipur.

Though we often shout slogans like "Ching-tam Amatani" in our mouth but within our heart, it is just like a sounding brass. Shouting slogans at Imphal area only will not protect Manipur's Integrity.