Of KTC and demand of UMLA : What exactly is KTC ?
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: October 19 2018 -

Territorial Council. More specifically Kuki Territorial Council (KTC).

The question is, what exactly is it ?

This question becomes important in the face of the announcement by the chief in-command of United Minority Liberation Army (UMLA), K Khaling that the political dialogue underway between the outfit and the State Government and the Central Government has taken note of the demand put forth to create a Kuki Territorial Council.

Not yet very clear on what this Territorial Council will exactly constitute but this is a point which has already been raised in the ongoing political dialogue as claimed by the leader of UMLA.

And how acceptable will such a demand be to the people who stand by the idea of a Manipur as political and social reality ?

With the ongoing political negotiation between the Kuki armed groups and the Government of India and Government of Manipur not kicking up as much hysteria as with the ongoing dialogue between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India, not much is known about the progress of the talk.

But what is clear is that the demand for a Kuki Territorial Council has already been put in place and this was not the first time the demand has been highlighted in the local newspapers.

How has the demand for a Kuki Territorial Council gone down with the other ethnic groups of the State is the question that naturally follows. Moreover what is the stand of the State Government over this demand ?

Will it be something similar to the Bodoland Territorial Council in neighbouring Assam ?

If yes then what will be the stand of the State Government vis-a-vis the demand for the same ?

A look at what the Bodoland Territorial Council is all about may help.

For one it could mean autonomy for the areas which have been identified as Kukiland and its administration may come under the Kuki Territorial Council to be headed by the Chief and assisted by the Executive Members including the Deputy Chief with specific portfolios.

Importantly what are the areas that may come under the KTC ?

Have these areas been identified or will an exercise be taken up to identify the areas that can come under KTC ?

According to the leader of UMLA, Chandel, Kangpokpi, Churachandpur, Sadar Hills, Saikul and some parts of Ukhrul and Senapati will come under the KTC.

How far will this be acceptable to the other people of Manipur, particularly the Nagas is the natural question that follows.

This is important particularly in the context of the ongoing dialogue between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India. Some parts of Senapati and Ukhrul is the dicey part.

Will the NSCN (IM) and the Naga people see eye to eye with the posture of UMLA ?

Will the Poumais, Maos and Marams agree that certain parts of Senapati can come under the KTC ?

Will the Tangkhuls agree with the proposal that some parts of Ukhrul district can come under the KTC ?

More than obvious that different interest groups are pulling apart Manipur and it remains to be seen how the demand of the NSCN (IM) and UMLA can get to a meeting point.

For the time being best thing is to keep one’s fingers crossed