Mindful of the love and support given by the silent majority of their Naga brothers in such hour of trauma an sufferings, the Kukis, under the banner of Kuki People's Alliance (KPA), have appealed to the Nagas of Manipur to join them in their effort towards separation from Meitei subjugation.
"The time for unity of purpose and action has come and the doors are always open to our brother Nagas of Manipur to join us in our effort towards separation from Meitei subjugation," KPA said in its appeal statement to Naga brothers issued on Wednesday.
Thanking the Nagas' love for the Kukis, KPA said: "The Kukis are mindful of the love and support given by the silent majority of our Naga brothers in this hour of trauma and suffering."
The Kuki People's Alliance said that the Nagas and Kukis began such effort together on 3rd of May as a Unity March, and asserted that the Kukis standing appeal is to join hands in resolving the matter.
Expressing its confident, the KPA said the Kukis and Nagas can chart their future together in mutual respect, in mutual trust, with sincerity and integrity.
Mentioned may be made that the ethnic violence between the Kukis and Meiteis broke out in the wake of tribals Unity March against Manipur High Court order, directing the government of Manipur for recommending the Meiteia as ST status, on 3rd of May, 2023.
The tribals' Solidarity March was organised in all the Hill district of Manipur under the aegis of the All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM), the apex tribal students' union, in which all Nagas and Kukis participated in large number.
Even though the rally was organised in all the hill districts headquarters, irrespective of the Naga and Kuki inhabited areas, the violent broke out allegedly in targeted manner against the Kukis in Churachandpur, and spread like wildfire in other districts, including the Imphal valley.
The violence has already reached three months, and peace and normalcy still remain a far cry.
The Hills Journal
K. Salbung, Churachandpur
Manipur-795128