152 South Block
New Delhi-110001
Subject: HIGHLIGHTING THE
PLIGHT OF THE KUKIS AND THEIR LEGITIMATE CONCERNS OVER THE CENTRE-NSCN(IM)
PEACE TALKS
Hon’ ble Prime Minister,
Enumerable memoranda,
pleading to draw the attention of the Indian Government on issues pertaining
to the Kukis had been submitted by various Kuki organisations in the past.
1. The contribution of the
Kukis had been no less than any other in the struggle for independence. Of
all the wars fought against the mighty British imperialism by more than two
hundred Indian Princes and Rajas, including the Kukis, the Anglo–Kuki war of
1917-1919 was one of the longest and the fiercest war ever fought in the
entire Indian sub-continent. This has been corroborated in the military
history of the British (Major General Palit, D.K, described the Kukis as to
having proved themselves to be ‘a formidable foe,’ as staunch and brave in
battles as the British claimed themselves to be.) The identity of the Kukis
has also been no less than any other. The Kukis have been described as
nature and character of the Kukis as “Born warriors”, ” great tribes”, ”
ferocious” etc by various writers. This has come about because of their
active participation in the great Indian freedom struggle when they
responded to the call of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose to join INA in great
numbers. It is on record that the Kukis are the largest recipient of “TAMRA
PATTRA” among the war veterans of the Northeast India. Unfortunately,
they have got nothing in return for their loyalty and contributions. Instead
they have been losing their lives, their homes, their land as well as their
fundamental rights and dignity. They are virtually being reduced to live as
refugees in their own land.
2. After the North East
India re-organisation Act of 1971, the Kukis were ignored when the states of
Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram were created. Constitutional
Amendments have also been made to accommodate the Gurkhas, the Bodos etc,
yet, the peace loving Kukis found no accommodations.
3. Once again, in 1992, the
loyal Kukis were unfortunately, victims of the genocide campaign launched by
Muivah and his gang of NSCN (IM) cadres. They launched full-scale genocide
against the innocent Kuki populace. The NSCN (IM) systematically engineered
and carried out the genocide, and this fact is borne out by the Home
Ministry Report, which says, “Systematic massacre carried out by the NSCN
(IM) against the members of the Kuki tribe inhabiting the four hill
districts of Manipur…” The home Ministry Report also said that the NSCN (IM)
served, “ Quit notices on them in a number of villages in Senapati,
Tamenglong, Chandel and Ukhrul Districts”. Consequently, more than 950
innocent Kukis were killed, more than 350Villages burned and more than
50,000 persons were displaced.
4. The Kuki Students
Organisation, is compelled to throw light to the Government of India, on
incidents of gross human rights violation and crimes committed on the Kukis
by the so-called NSCN (IM):
(Photograph enclosed)
a)
Moultuh
incident: (8th
October 1992)
At Moultuh Village in Chandel District,
three women were murdered after being raped; a two months old female-baby
including two men were also killed. Dr. Isack Lamkang, Medical Officer of
Chandel District, conducted the post-mortem on one of the raped women, i.e.
Tinkhohoi Touthang (20 yrs). The Doctor reported:
“Face blindfolded. Gang raped before being killed. Throat slit up with
knife. Left portion of the skull completely battered up. Left breast badly
bruised. A piece of stick measuring about 7 inches was found inserted in her
vagina.”
b)
Khalong
incident :(7th June 1993)
14 people were killed at Khalong Village
in Sadar Hills District. Eight of these victims were women, all of whom were
raped and then killed; the remaining three were children and three men.
(Photograph enclosed)
c)
The
Zoupi Massacre: (13th
September 1993)
The NSCN (IM) issued a quit notice to the
inhabitants of Zoupi Village in Tamenglong District to leave the village by
15th September 1993. The villagers did not wait until the
deadline; they left on the 13th September 1993. However, they
were waylaid and altogether 90 Kuki men were separated from their
families. Hands bound to their backs, mercilessly hacked to death with
machetes. This day is still observed as “Black Day” by the Kukis.
Following that Zoupi incident, Kuki families mainly comprising women and
children had sought shelter at Taloulong Camp. There too, the NSCN (IM)
Cadres went to the Camp and picked out 13 male infants, all below 5 years of
age and butchered them. One of the mothers recounted the event involving her
son; “I was carrying my baby daughter in my arms and my son was strapped
on to my back. My son, who was evidently conscious of the Naga’s intentions,
clung tightly on to the collar of my blouse, crying not to let him be taken
away. The Naga, who identified the child’s sex snatched him from me, threw
him up in the air and sliced him into pieces with a machete.”
(Photograph enclosed)
This is the real Naga movement to whom the Govt. of India is
negotiating with!
d)
Thingsan incident:( 19th
November 1994)
At Thingsan Village in Chandel District, NSCN (IM) cadres,
camouflaged in Indian Security Forces uniforms, armed with sophisticated
weapons, huddled together twenty-five men, tied their hands to their backs
and killed them all.
(Photograph enclosed)
5. Dear Prime Minister, We
belong to a student community. It is said, “students are the pillars of the
Nation” but for us, the members of the Kuki Students Organisation, when we
remember our mothers and fathers lynched at will, our sisters and womenfolk
raped and killed by them, our brothers and children butchered or maimed,
while the Government of India act as a mere spectator! Under such
circumstances, it is extremely difficult to live with dignity, honor and
above all remain patriotic to our great nation.
6. The Government Of India
had accused the NSCN (IM) of flagrant violation of human rights against the
Kukis. Why is it then hobnobbing and having discussions with them? By
meeting Muivah for peace talks, it implies that the Government Of India is
adopting double standards and denying the right to live, to the Kukis.
7. In view of the ongoing
negotiation with Th.Muivah and the NSCN (IM), the Kuki Students Organisation,
would like to remind the Indian Government that it has violated the
fundamental principle of justice by negotiating with a criminal like Muivah,
who is no different from other well known criminals.
8. The NSCN (IM) under Th.
Muivah, which is involved in subversive activities, human rights violation,
terrorizing Indian citizens and has no regard for basic human values and
whose activities are against the Indian state, is no different from Al-Qaeda,
the Talibans, etc. or other terrorist organisations existing in J&K. The
Kuki Students Organisation, finds it strange that, subsequent Indian Prime
Ministers are willing to meet him anywhere in the world to appease the
Muivah led NSCN (I-M) which has been declared a terrorist organisation by
the Government Of India itself! This is hypocritical and contrary to India’s
stand against terrorism. Therefore, the KSO questions the Government of
India whether it considers the Kukis to be legal citizens of
India?
Therefore, the Kuki Students
Organisation, implores the Government Of India not take for granted the
silence of the Kukis. The Government of India should reconsider its policies
towards the Kukis. If the Government of India continues to follow its policy
in ignoring the interests of the Kukis, the Kuki Students Organisation will
be compelled to take extreme steps for the protection of our political and
territorial interests.
Sd/-
sd/-
Alien Khongsai
Thongmang Haokip
(President,KSOD)
(Gen.Secretary,KSOD)
