Kuki Inpis press for unbiased solution
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, December 14 2011:
Kuki Inpis of Manipur, Assam, Nagaland and Karimganj have urged both the central and the state governments to study the situation in Manipur in depth and called for an 'unbiased, non-communal and justified approach/solution' to the vital political issues confronting the state today.
In an open letter to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, the Kuki Inpis pointed out that Sadar Hills district is not something that has to be freshly created.
It already exists, which is why ADC elections were held very successfully by the government to the Sadar Hills Autonomous District Council with a massive voter turnout.
The government has only to ensure that an appropriate administrative structure is in place in order that 'autonomous' functioning of the 'District' Council is ensured.
Instead, the state government has injected a communal colour and invited a lot of unnecessary trouble by resorting to a massive re-organisation exercise, possibly, to ensure that only the majority community (the Kukis) in the district are covered by the re-organised district and the rest be 'integrated' with their respective (community) districts, the open letter alleged, and questioned, "why oppose Naga integration then? .
On the issue of alternative arrangement for Nagas in Manipur based on uniqueness of Nagas, the open letter signed by Kumpi (President) of Kuki Inpis A Lenthang observed that 'we are all aware that Manipur has three main communities living together for centuries.
Both the Nagas and the Kukis are hill tribes compared to the majority non-tribal Meiteis who life in the plain/valley.
As a worldwide policy/practice, the tribal populations are weaker section of the society and have some sort of alternative arrangement (like here in India) to protect them from oppression/suppression by the majority populace.
This universal fact must be recognized by all for harmonious co-existence' .
Pointing out that there has been a steady influx of tribals from the hill areas of Manipur to Imphal simply because it is the state capital and consequently the political/ commercial /social hub of the state, the open letter asserted that a capital city is a place where everyone in the state should have a right to stay/reside.
"In any case, this influx, like elsewhere in the world, is more of compulsion than choice.
To interfere with the universal/constitutional protection for weaker section on the ground of a meagre influx to the capital city would tantamount not only to inhumane spirit but also to communal hatred", the open letter contended.
The open statement contended that though 'alternative arrangement' based on inherent weakness of a section of society is justified, such arrangement/agenda proposed by the central government, supposedly, for a particular tribe/community living together with other tribe/communities in the state can only be construed as communal in nature.
Every tribe has its own uniqueness, so too every community/person.
Hence, 'uniqueness' alone cannot be a basis for preferential political treatment.
"As far as Manipur is concern, we appreciate that our Naga brethren have achieved a lot since independence for which their steadfast efforts and corresponding accommodation by the government of India must be credited.
In this respect, the Kukis have not been so fortunate.
Ever since the 3-year long struggle against the British (1917-19), it has been a political and economic downward slide for the Kukis.
We are now the 'downtrodden' in the state.
But the fact remains that as far as political rights are concern, the Kukis had fought with all their might against the British to maintain their political control/supremacy covering the entire hill areas of Manipur at the time, clearly stamping their political ownership and right to the hill area of Manipur.
The majority Meiteis of the plain too had done the same on a separate/earlier occasion", the open letter observed.
Comment
