Asem Bhakta Singh, Special Correspondence North East
Imphal: Campaign for removal of Kukis from ST list initiated by Meitei Leepun
Illegal immigrants cannot be granted Scheduled Tribe status and the non-indigenous cannot be given reservation. Zoramthanga of Mizoram who is claiming the Kukis of Manipur to be their brother and sisters do not have any rights there in Mizoram, as only the indigenous people of the land are given reservations. This was stated by Pramot Singh, Thouburel of Meitei Leepun in a people’s meet held at SRC Ground, Khurai Puthiba Leikai demanding the exclusion of Illegal Immigrants Kukis from Scheduled Tribe List in Manipur.
Pramot Singh further said, “Organisations, politicians, CSOs, Meira Paibis and the intellectuals should stand firm so that the Kukis, who are non-indigenous are removed from the ST list. Also, DGPs, Secretary, Commissioner and other high ranking government officials, should be checked if they enter Manipur before or after 1961 and if not found to be indigenous should be arrested. The territorial boundary of Manipur is guarded by the blood of our forefathers and every Meiteis of the land has their love for their motherland even if it is the fear of losing an inch of land far away in Dzuko valley or Shirui or Border Pillar. If we were born during Seven years Devastation, we would be fighting with the Avas, and our forefathers who were born during that time fought to safeguard the territorial boundary of Manipur, for the future generations.” The Chief of Meitei Leepun further appealed to all to save and make the Meiteis strong, so as to save Manipur.
At today’s meet, Pramot Singh explained about the hierarchy of leadership and working principle of Meitei Leepun. The supremo of Meitei Leepun added, “There is no President or Secretary which are ideas of the British doesn’t exist in the Meitei Leepun but rather work following the footprints of our forefathers. Meitei Leepun is a law-abiding organization, working to revive the footprints of our forefathers. The trained members of Meitei Leepun are scattered across the periphery of Imphal valley, as the periphery are the first to bear the brunt of an attack by the opponent. When the Kukis started the war, the Meitei Leepun was defending the Meitei villages adjoining Kuki areas. The ML members defending the periphery fought the war as Village defenders not as its members and so far, ML has not disclosed the number of casualties it incurred in this war. ML is not involved in any arson or destruction in the valley areas in this war, as ML members are busy guarding the periphery of Imphal valley and till today we are guarding the villages in periphery areas.”
W Chinglemba, Thoubei of Meitei Leepun while speaking at the meet said, “There are only two indigenous communities in Manipur which are the Meiteis and the Nagas. We should demand to the present government to remove the ST status from the Kukis, to implement NRC and to drive them away from Manipur, as they are non-indigenous to Manipur. Now is the right time to act otherwise the Meiteis may be extinct in the years to come. The reservations and special privileges entitled for the indigenous are now enjoyed by the Kukis. And as a result, all the high ranking positions of bureaucrat are hold by them and are acting as per their agendas.”
Today’s meet which was organised by Meitei Leepun along with different clubs of Khurai area and was attended by Loitongbam Subon Meitei, Yumnamcha Surjit Meitei, Nandeibam Shanti, Radhamani and Muktabali, along with a large number of people.
