Imphal, October 27: Laying emphasis on celebrating the annual Kut festival in its traditional and truest spirit, the Kuki Liberation Army has imposed a complete ban on associating the harvesting festival with extravagant events.

A KLA statement issued by the outfit�s central information and publicity secretary Malsawm Kuki pointed out to the State Level Kut Committee that Chavang Kut - the only State recognised important harvesting festival of the Chin-Kuki-Mizo families in Manipur had not been celebrated as it ought to be since the last many years.

Highlighting importance of celebrating the occasion without deviation from those advocated by the older generation, the armed outfit laid down certain guidelines for the Kut Committee to honour.

Prohibiting holding of Miss Kut contest from this year itself, the statement opined that such extravagant item is not a part of the festival besides warning of dire consequences to all concerned not honouring the KLA instruction which also include ban on use of �wine� and other unwanted/unnecessary items.

On the otherhand, the outfit proposed cultural dances as the main item of the festival, songs and dances (traditional/modern) be an important part of Kut festivities, fashion parade with emphasis on Chin-Kuki-Mizo-Zomi costumes, invite well known artistes of these ethnic groups, honour individuals with excellent achievement in their respective fields and hike incentives of individual or group performers.

The mentioned points are to be strictly honoured and followed by the Kut Committee and failure of it shall be regarded as open disregard to the values of the custom and tradition of the community concerned with the festival, said the KLA and reiterated that �there shall be no pardon whosoever disobey it�.

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