Imphal, February 24 2009: Villagers of Luwanglong along the old Cachar road in Tamenglong district will face all odd to safeguard their village, said chief of the village, Ashim Kamei while reacting to the claim made by some Kukis of the nearby areas as their land.

Speaking to the media persons today, the chief said that around 27 cadres of KNF (MC) in combat fatigues with arms in their hands who came to the village (Luwanglong) on January 27 last said nothing to them on that day but on the next around 200 people from Churachandpur and stated thanks to the villagers for keeping protecting the village.

Among others, chiefs of the villages Thingphai (Thangkam Haokip), Boljon (Paoseih Haopkip), Majurol (Lunkhulen) etc included among them, he recalled and said that they also arranged a grant feast at Jouchantek with the elders of the Luwanglong.

During the feast, they proposed to live together once again stating as clashes between the Kukis and Nagas had eased.

They also informed that one Helam kuki will be the chairman of the village authority.

Now, they once again while informing that they will start coming to the village fromFebruary 26 and resettle there with Helam Kuki as chief of the village.

Ashim Kamei further said that the village has been residing by the Rongmei from the incident time but British allowed settling Kuki there during their period.

During the Naga-Kuki clash in 1993, Kukis left the village after burning down the houses.

After then, the Rongmei settle in 1996 there after performing religious ceremony as per customary of the Rongmei tribes, he added.

Coming up with a claim that the village belongs to them after 10 years of gap is not reasonable one, the chief observed stating that it would not be possible to reclaimed villages in Churachandpur where Rongmei once settle.

"We would stand by our stand unto death but we would not allow outsiders to settle in our village, he reaffirmed.

Comment