Kom Union Manipur (KUM) on Wednesday lambasted Zomi Council Steering Committee for including KUM in a recent memorandum submitted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The union stated that the inclusion of KUM in the memorandum was carried out without the authority and knowledge of union’s office bearers.
As such, KUM cautioned all communities not to put the union’s name in any letterhead without prior permission.
Speaking to the media at Federation of Haomee, Imphal, vice president of Kom Union Mk Mangte Kom noted that the Kom community are among the original inhabitants of Manipur with its own seven clans.
He highlighted that the KUM was used in Zomi Council Steering Committee’s memorandum to the prime minister which was submitted on 22 December.
The action was carried out without the union’s consent, he added.
He expressed disappointment over the said action which infringed on the authority of KUM and stated that such reckless action could malign the image of the entire community.
As such, he appealed to all communities in Manipur not to continue such actions in the future.
“We forbid anyone from using KUM’s name without the union’s consent and authority,” he said.
Meanwhile, general secretary of Federation of Haomee Y Shyam Khuman pointed out that Kom community was a small indigenous community of Manipur.
He maintained that Federation of Haomee would not allow forced assimilation of small communities by larger communities in Manipur.
He further appealed to all indigenous communities in Manipur to stand together during these trying times and not be swayed by unverified rumours.
