Imphal, December 15 2010: The Kuki National Front (KNF), a signatory of the tripartite Suspension of Operation Wednesday reiterated their demand for a separate Kuki state or Kukiland, in a memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister through the state Governor today.

Interestingly, the memorandum comes up barely a day after visiting Union Home Minister ruled out redrawing Manipur's boundaries under any circumstances.

P Chidambaram on Tuesday said that the Centre well understands the issues of territorial integrity of Manipur.

There is no question of redrawing the boundaries of Manipur.

The Centre acknowledges the more than 2000 year old recorded history of Manipur.

The KNF still stands by it demand for a separate Kuki state and "nothing short of the proposed Kukiland shall be acceptable to the Kuki National Front in particular and the Kuki people in general," the memorandum mentioned.

"We remain firm in our demand for creation of Kukiland within the framework of the Constitution of India," it stated requesting government of India to recognize that the Kukis demand, only the districts and areas in Manipur predominantly inhabited by and belonging to the Kukis, be incorporated in the formation of Kukiland.

While putting forward their demand they reffered to Article 3 of the Constitution of India whereby the Union government is empowered to form new states, state within state and alteration of areas, boundaries or existing states.

In the memorandum, KNF hoped that GoI will make all possible efforts as soon as possible to bring about a lasting solution to the political problems of the Kukis.

The memorandum signed by KNF president St Thangboi Kipgen was submitted today around 3 pm by its general secretary Aaron L Kipgen to the Governor at the Raj Bhavan.

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