In a significant development over the demand of the Kukis, the apex body of the Kuki tribes, the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) has spelled out what exactly the ‘Separate Administration’ demanded by the Kukis is.
“Separate Administration” has become the common voice of the Kukis after Manipur's May 3, 2023 mayhem, including their legislators, who adopted a unanimous resolution for a separate administration on May 12 and stood by it, along with their people.
KIM secretary Khaikhohauh Gangte, in a press communiqué, explicitly stated that the demand for separation is in the form of a “Separate State” under Article 3 of the Indian Constitution.
Amid the prevailing perilous situation in the state, KIM reaffirmed its collective political demand in the "interest of the general public".
KIM stated that following a crucial cabinet meeting on July 12, 2023 and the Executive Decision taken thereof, the Inpi explicitly stated its demand for a separate administration in the form of a separate state under Article 3 of the Indian Constitution based on the following rationale.
“In their nefarious attempt to usurp our inalienable land, certain acts like Protected Forest and Reserved Forest have been forcibly imposed in our land—the abode of our forefathers—since time immemorial. This clearly indicates that not only could we not live and settle in the State capital, but also be disposed of, and forbidden to live in our own land as the very existence of the Kukis as a people remains threatened,” KIM stated.
The outright abrogation of century-old treaties signed between the Kukis and the Meiteis, viz., the Moirang Treaty of 1859 and the Sanjenthong Treaty of 1873 coupled with the subsequent declaration of war on the Kuki people, is inimical to the principles of peaceful coexistence enshrined in the treaties, thus paving the way for Total Separation of the two communities, the Kukis and the Meiteis, ad infinitum, the Inpi added.
As a matter of fact, demographic/geographical separation has come into effect now. It is, therefore, pertinent on the part of the central government to expedite separate administration in the form of the creation of a new state under Article 3 of the Indian Constitution for lasting peace in the region.
The Kukis shall continue to strive together with sweat and blood to protect our rights and liberties until our political demand is realized in the form of a Separate State, stated KIM.
