The Kuki Reformation Forum (KReF) has refuted and issued a clarification on the February 19 order of Manipur state government in response to the claim of Ukha Loikhai Kuki village chief.
In a letter addressed to R.K. Amarjit Singh, Special Secretary, (Forest, Envt. & CC Manipur, KReF stated that the claims of Forest, Environment & CC as “Thangting Range’ falling within the Churachandpur-Khoupum Protected Forests through the notification of 17/09/1966, Notification No. 55/10/66- M (2) under Section 29 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927 was made without the knowledge and consent of the Public of the Region and concerned Land owner Chief nor with written “No Objection Certificate’ (NOC).
KReF clarified the claims of Forest. Envt. & CC vide. No.27/45/2023, dated February 19 2024, referencing Office Memorandum No. 1/46/2028/ Forests, dated, 07/11/2022 of PCCF & HOFF etc. has nothing to do with Ukha- Loikhai village Land ownership rights.
The statement of the Government of Manipur having NO. RECORDS of the so-called ‘HAOKIP RESERVED of 1907 Land Right ownership possessed by the Haokip Kukis from Mr. Cosgrave’s Order Misc. Case no 616/1907.(Hill Darbar) is true and a historical fact that Manipur State created only in the year 1972 may not have such knowledge and record, stated the letter.
In regards to Haokip Reserved, KReF mentioned a list of orders of Colonial British India Imperial Government as under.
As per the letter, Cosgrave’s Order Misc. Case No. 616/1907 demarcated ‘HAOKIP RESERVED’ Land of SONGPI @Songpi Sub-Division (Churachandpur) in the year 1907.
Duncan’s Order. Misc. Case No. 402/1934-35, and Mr. Steward Thim, PA (Manipur State Darbar)’s Order for Cancellation of Haokip Reserved of 15/7/1935 Manipur State Form 11-9 (Judicial, was revoked by Mr. T.A Sharpe, ICS, President of Manipur State Darbar (MSD) Order Misc. Case No. 661/1941-42, re-instated HAOKIP RESERVED. vide Misc. Case No. 616 of 1907 on the 6th May 1942, that was cancelled in 1934-35 and drew the Map of Haokip Reserved in 1941-42 (AD).
Nicholas Beatson Bell, Chief Commissioner of Assam appointed B.C Gasper, ICS as the 1st Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) of SONGPI SUB- DIVISION on the 16th October 1919 the letter added
As stated by the Chief of Ukha-Loikhai, Thenkhomang Haokip, Thangting is the site of Kuki traditional religion Nungjai Pathen’ before the advent of Christianity. Thangjing or Thangching is the corrupted word of THANGTING, KReF said.
The declaration of Thangting as ‘Protected Site’ by the Government of Manipur, and acquiring 4 hectares under Section 4 of the Manipur Ancient and Historical Monuments and Sites & Remains Act’, 1976, vide Gazette No.376, dated 14/11/2022, through bogus process without the knowledge and consent of the owner (land holder)’s Complaint Letter addressed to the Commissioner (Art & Culture), Government of India, dated, 1st January 2021, vide RR. No. 54, dated, 19/1/2021 and dated, 27/7/2022 vide RR No.8, dated 27/7/2022 respectively, the letter added.
The statement of the Special Secretary (Forest, Envt. & CC) Government of Manipur, terming the factual and historical claim of Ukha-Loikhai Chief as fabricated, concocted and mala-fide intention to mislead the public is not fabricated and concocted, but a factual history of “Thangting Range, Ukha-Loikhai Kuki Village and HAOKIP RESERVED -1907 of KUKI HILLS, 1952- 1949 (Source: History of Kuki Hills in Kanglei Manipur from 1852 to 1949)”, outer Manipur that Government of Manipur established from 1972 have no knowledge nor ‘Any Record’ as it stated at its notifications No. 4 that there are ‘No Records of the so called “Haokip Reserved.”
B.C Gasper, ICS, SDO of Songpi Sub- Division (SW) Case No. 25 of 22/6/1926 permitting Haokip Kuki Chiefs to claim or collect from Manipuris for collecting Plantain leaves and big trees in THANGTING RANGE for making boats etc, in the form of Dry Fish or Tobacco.
