Imphal, December 19 2008: On the occasion of the 91st anniversary of Kuki Rising 1917-1919 observed under the aegis of the Kuki Independence War Memorial Committee today, the KNO has paid tributes to those specially the 'great chiefs' who laid down their lives for the cause of Kuki people and their land during the rebellion, conveyed a press release issued by KNO's information and publicity secretary Lenin H Kuki.

Observing that the Kuki Rising of 1917-19 epitomised Kuki nationalism, KNO said that it was a reminder of the spirit of nationalism exercised by Kuki forefathers.

While recounting the rebellion and its different episodes as well as observations made by different people on the Kuki Rising, the KNO noted that the Kuki Rising, 1917-19 was a paradoxical event.

On the one hand, its subjugation was a turning point in Kuki history.

It broke the spirit of the people and set in decline Kuki as a nation.

On the other hand, it was a historical landmark of Zale'ngam.

It demonstrated Kuki's relationship to their land, and is a veritable reminder of their legitimate status as a nation, the outfit asserted.

"The KNO, on behalf of the Kukis, of the present and future generations, pledges to restore the ancestral Kuki territory to its rightful status.

The manifesto and ideology of KNO is based on the resolution of the Kuki chiefs who fought against the British in the Kuki Rising, 1917-19", it conveyed.

Saying that the zeal and sacrifice made by Kuki forefathers continues to inspire KNO even after almost 100 years, the outfit pledged to pursue its goal through means that are noble and which do not compromise the integrity and commitment demonstrated by Kuki forefathers.

Given this backdrop of Kuki history and its present predicament, it would be in the interest of not only the Kuki people but also the Indian nation to establish a stable political autonomous state of the Kukis, asserted the KNO while urging to fulfil the Kuki political aspirations through peaceful dialogue between Government of India and KNO at the earliest.

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