The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the top body of all Kuki tribes in Manipur, has demanded a new state under Article 3 of the Indian Constitution.
“Following its crucial cabinet meeting on July 12, 2023, and the Executive Decision taken thereof, the Kuki Inpi Manipur explicitly stated its demand for separate administration in the form of separate State under Art. 3 of the Indian Constitution…,” read a press note issued by KIM general secretary Khaikhohauh Gangte.
Article 3 of the Constitution of India dives and defines further and authorises the Indian Parliament to form new states; alter the area, boundaries or names of existing states by legislation.
The rationale behind the demand, among others, is the “hounding” of “all” the Kukis from the Imphal Valley after “burning down their colonies/settlements and churches,” the tribal body said.
“The State capital Imphal has been compartmentalised by the communal Meiteis by hounding off all the Kukis from Imphal valley after burning down their colonies/settlements and churches. The scale and intensity of the institutionalised violence reached catastrophic proportion wherein even our elected representatives are not spared, let alone our bureaucrats and police officers (central and state services). The gruesome genocidal killings of the Kukis abetted by the State machineries and the Meitei militias, who are given carta blanche to annihilate the Kukis evidently shows that the ever-widening differences between the Kukis and the Meiteis remain irreconcilable! 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 disposed us of, and forbidden to live in our own land as the very existence of the Kukis as a people remain threatened,” read the press note.
It went on to say: “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 by the Meitei community 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 Meities ad infinitum.”
“As a matter of fact, demographical/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 creation of a new state under Art.3 of the Indian Constitution for lasting peace in the region,” said KIM general secretary Khaikhohauh Gangte.
The press note added that the Kukis shall “continue” to strive together “with sweat and blood to protect our rights and liberties until our political demand is realised in the form of Separate State”.
, the top body of all Kuki tribes in Manipur, has demanded a new state under Article 3 of the Indian Constitution.){kind=link}