IMPHAL: The Kuki National Organization (KNO) has urged N Biren Singh, the Chief Minister of Manipur, for non-inclusion of Kuki ancestral lands in the NSCN (IM)'s 'Framework Agreement'.
"The historical account of our ancestral lands with respect to Chassad (Kmjong), Laijang (Tamenglong), Mongkotjang (Noney) and Phoibung (Senapati) is being claimed by the KNO to be the ancestral land of Kuki," the KLO, which is a conglomeration of armed Kuki organizations, wrote in a missive to the Chief Minister.
Regarding Chassad (Kamjong), the KNO stated that in AD 33, two Kuki chiefs, Kuki Achouba and Kuki Ahongba were allies of Pakhangba, the Meitei king. "Khaba-Nangba, the younger twin brothers of NongbaLairen Pakhangba contested the right to ascend the throne. Having failed, the brothers fled to the Highlands, the abode of Kuki, known to Meitei as Chingburoi," the KNO stated.
According to the the KNO, the descendants of Khaba-Nganba settled at HundungKhullen and HundungKhonou and Ningthi, which is in Kamjong district.
In 1985, NSCN (IM) and PLA met at Hundung, where they feasted and exchanged gifts.
"Meitei brothers must not confuse Tangkhul and the descendants of Khaba- Nganba. Tangkhul people are from Somra Tract in Myanmar (Burma) and are a different ethnic entity from Meitei and Kuki," the KNO further added in its letter.
Hundung Khullen, Hundung Khunou and Ningthi constitute Kamjong, land of Chingburoi, are the areas where Khaba-Ngaba settled, the group stated, adding that these areas must not be included in the NSCN (IM) and Government of India 'framework agreement' and become part of Nagalim.
Besides the New Kukis, the other kindred Old Kuki clans people of Chassad are Mongmi and Kharan (both ethnically Maring), Lairam (Lai people) and Kharam, it added.
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The wave of Nagaisation led to forced assimilation of Paomei and Tuboi Kuki to Naga, it further stated to CM Biren, adding that because of the closeness of the Kukis to Meiteis during the past, their ancestral lasnds should not become a part of the Greater Nagalim project.
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