By B Nandakumar Sharma
The “Kukis” are not native to Northeast India. They have moved from the “Chin Hills” of “Myanmar” & the Chittagong Hill tracts of Bangladesh and made their way to the Indian state of Mizoram. Kukis were one of the disruptive tribes that were frequently pushed from one location to another due to their inability to coexist peacefully with other communities. The British recognized the warrior traditions of certain Kuki tribes and strategically utilized their abilities. Some Kuki tribes were made to settle in Manipur by the British in 1833. Kukis had fights with Kabuis, Tangkhuls, Hmars, Paites, Karbis, etc. They are also known for bringing their cognate tribesman from Myanmar and Bangladesh and settling them in various parts of India, illegally.
Kuki Refugee
The savagery nature of Kukis is mentioned in the Standing Order of the President of Manipur State Darbar by Captain Harvey and they were not issued with firearms because of their savagery nature against the Naga in 1931. Another Standing of the President of Manipur State Darbar issued by TA Sharp mentioned that “Kukis in Naga area are Aliens and Refugees”. Another order in 1941 stated that “Kukis shall obtain prior permission from the Chief of the Naga Village for settlement and pay House Tax to the Naga Chief”. (Annexure-I)
The first payment of the Kuki Refugee fund was paid on 22 Apr 1957 by the Ministry of Home Affairs Govt of India through the Govt of Manipur vide Memo No. 01/R/RFL. This is the evidence of the Refugee status of Kukis in 1957 (Annexure-I).
Kuki Population
The population of Kuki language-speaking people according to the Census of India 1951, is 26,166, Population of Zo language speaking is 3,062, and Karung (Kuki) language speaking is 90. The combined Kuki, Karum and Zo population is 29,318. The other languages in the list are Khongsai, Thado, Lushei, Mizo, Mate, Paite, Gangte, Hmar, Simte, and Vaiphei, they are not considered Kuki. Therefore, as per the census of 1951 Kuki population is only 29,318. However, the Kuki tribe threatened the other smaller sub-clan and forced them to include themselves in the Kuki tribe. Thou, Kom, Maring, Paite, Hmar, and others have shown their resistance but over some time, they had to surrender in front of the arms power.
Kuki community’s inability to co-exist peacefully with other community
The incidents like the Kuki-Naga clashes (1992–1995); Kuki-Hmar clashes (1959–1960); Kuki-Paite clashes (1997–1998); Kuki- Tamil Clashes (1995) and Kuki-Meitei clashes (since 03 May 23) shows Kuki community’s inability to co-exist peacefully with other community. These incidents have forced many business communities like Punjabis, Malayalis, Tamils, Nepalis (Gorkha), Marwaris, and native people like Nagas and Meiteis to flee from Moreh in Tengnoupal district, Chandel, Kangpokpi, and Churachandpur where Kukis have dominated over the last thirty years.
Kukiland/Zalengam/Zoland/Zomiland
There are nearly 30 Kuki insurgent groups in Manipur under the umbrella of UPF and KNO, of which 25 are under tripartite Suspension of Operations (SoO) with the Government of Manipur and Govt of India. Their political aim is to form an independent state under the Constitution of India and then tacitly moved toward a separate country called Kukiland/Zalengam/Zoland/Zomiland, consisting of Chin & Kachin State of Myanmar including some parts of Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura, Mizoram state and Chittagong Hill tracts. The ITLF, a recently formed civil society organization (CSO) of the Kuki community in Manipur is aligned with the demand of SoO militant groups as told by its spokesperson Mr. Ginza Vualzong. At present the political aim of an independent nation is not achievable, therefore they are demanding a separate state or territory like Mizoram by splitting Manipur.
Poppy Plantation
The climate of Manipur is conducive to growing poppies and SoO militants (Suspension of Operation) have become the private army of those drug lords and mafias. They received huge funding from the drug mafia and narco-terrorism, therefore, the arms and ammunition they have are the most sophisticated and latest available technology.
According to a report by the Director of the Intelligence Bureau, around 1,25,000 acres of hill areas are under poppy cultivation in Manipur, out of which 100,000 acres are in the Kuki- dominated areas. About 650 MT of Opium is produced annually from the hill areas under Kuki dominance. The approximate revenue generation by narco-terrorist is about 50,000 to 65,000 INR. Some common villagers and illegal immigrants from Myanmar undertake poppy cultivation with huge profit margins. After the death of Khun Sa, the international drug trafficking of the infamous Golden Triangle, was shifted towards Manipur. Kuki has money from drugs and firepower from SoO militants, so they have become very powerful narco-terrorists in the region.
Violation of Ground Rules by SoO Militants
The SoO militants group have violated the ground rule many times. In a press conference held at Imphal on 01 Jun 2023, Mr Amit Shah Home Minister said that if SoO groups violate the ground rules they would be dealt with strictly, however, no action has been taken against them despite many lost of life due to firing by SoO armed groups from the hills. Even the farmers are not able to cultivate in their paddy fields due to heavy firing by long-range sophisticated weapons. Copy of SoO Agreement and List of FIRs for breaking ground rule is annexed as Annexure-II. They have violated the Preamble of the agreement by demanding separate Administration. Annexure-III
Illegal and defunct SoO (Suspension of Operation) Agreement
The SoO (Suspension of Operation) Agreement is defunct and only the Central Forces including Assam Rifles and India Army are following the ground rules. It is a triparty agreement between 25 Kuki Militants groups under the umbrella of UPF & KNO, Govt of Manipur, and Govt of India. The Manipur Govt has withdrawn from this agreement on 10 Mar 2023. As per the agreement, Govt of Manipur is the ground rule enforcing agency. Kuki SoO armed groups are also attacking the civilians, Manipur Police, CDO, and IRBs, thereby not obeying the ground rules. Report to media and eyewitness Meitei victims, Central Forces silently watch the burning down of Meitei Houses and firing on Meitei civilians by Kuki armed groups. Whenever the Meitei mob tries to attack the Kuki armed groups with their limited resources, it is blocked or arrested by the Central Forces. Central Forces are protecting the environmental security of SoO armed groups as written in the SoO agreement. Annexure-III
SoO (Suspension of Operation) Agreement Empowers Militants
The SoO agreement has given immunity from Unlawful Associations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (37 of 1967), The Arms Act 1959, and The Arms Rule 2016. This is a violation of Article 14, of the Indian Constitution, “Equality before the Law”. Picture of a protest by the Kuki community with sophisticated arms at Churachandpur is annexed as Annexure-IV. The Kuki community freely roams with arms in front of the police and Central Security Forces.
SoO (Suspension of Operation) is Enemy of Meitei
The SoO has caused the death of many Meiteis killed by Kuki armed groups or other Kuki trained by SoO armed groups. Indian Army entered with Kuki Militants with SoO Agreement in the year 2005. Since then none of the Kuki armed militants are encountering Assam Rifles and Indian Army. Kuki SoO groups have helped Army in eliminating Meitei extremists. The annual Report of the Ministry of Home Affairs from 2001 to 2021-22 indicates that after Army’s agreement with Kuki militants, the number of Meitei extremists killed is 4388 from 2005 to 2010. From 2011 to 2021 the number of Meitei extremists killed is 257 and the total number of Meitei extremists killed from 2005 to 2021 is 4645. The total arrest of Meitei extremists is 15698. Security Forces have killed and arrested 20343 by giving immunity to Kuki armed groups, going against the constitution and law of India, details are shown in Annexure-V. The total number of Kuki SoO groups is 2181 as per the SoO agreement document. Assam Rifles and Kuki Militants set up camps adjacent to each other at various locations. For example, 37 AR is next to Nazareth Camp in the Sugnu Serou area. Due to proximity and a good number of Kuki in Assam Rifles and their long stay at a place become natural allies. This has been observed by the victims and Manipur police in many places as reported in the media (Annexure-VI). 14 designated Camps of SoO armed Kuki groups located 360 degrees around Manipur’s valley areas in a very strategic manner.
Suspension of Operations is an agreement void ab-initio
Technically, Suspension of Operations is an agreement void ab-initio. According to Sec-24 of the Indian Contract Act 1872, the consideration and objects are unlawful as per existing law in
India. Holding of Military graded weapons, extortion, etc are not permitted under Unlawful Associations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (37 of 1967), The Arms Act 1959, and The Arms Rule 2016. This is a violation of Article 14, of the Indian Constitution, “Equality before the Law”.
Politically Legitimized The Illegal Activities of SoO Groups
The Government of India has politically legitimized the illegal activities of SoO groups. As a result, Manipur has emerged as the second largest producer of Opium in the world and Chin-Kuki Narco-Terrorist SoO groups are the private Army of Drug Lords. This will have a direct impact on the Youth of the Nation, National Security, and an even more difficult situation in extending trade and commerce towards ASEAN countries.
Chin-Kuki, illegal immigrants
Chin-Kuki, illegal immigrants from Myanmar have joined the SoO groups as narco-terrorist and helped in killing the Meitei in the present crisis (Annexure-VII). A commission to identify the illegal immigrants was formed in Mar 2023 and identified more than 2000 Chin-Kuki but due to political pressure from Kuki MLAs, the exercise was abandoned in between. Many fake Voter ID Cards and Aadhaar Cards were recovered. Even one person was having more than one Voter ID Card. Nagaland Govt had issued an order not to entertain address change in Aadhaar by Kuki coming from Manipur (Annexure-VIII). People of Manipur excluding the Kuki community estimate that there are about 3 lakh, Chin-Kuki illegal immigrants in Manipur. The number of villages increased from 1969 to 2022 as a release report by Manipur Govt is appended below: –
The highlighted districts are Kuki’s dominantly inhibited places. The total number of villages increased in Kuki-dominated areas is 1656 where as their population in the 1951 census was 29,318. Whereas the number of villages increased by other community in the same period are 317 and the population of other community in the 1951 census is (577635-29318) = 5,48,317. There are another approximately 900 unrecognised villages too. 29,318 population has grown so much that 1656 new villages have come up. On the other hand, the 5,48,317 population of other communities could grow only 317 villages together. The exponential increase in the number of villages of the Kuki community is due to illegal immigrants of Chin-Kuki from Myanmar and the Hill tracts of Chittagong.
Drug lords and SoO armed groups
16. Drug lords and SoO armed groups employ the majority of the Kuki community in cultivating poppies by deforesting the reserved forest. It is a huge profit margin for the cultivators too. Half a kilogram of poopy resin gives about 50,000 to 80,000 INR. The Director of the Intelligence Bureau reported 125000 Acres of Hill areas under poppy cultivation, out of these 100000 acres are the Kuki-dominated area. The deforestation for poppy plantations is shown in Annexure-IX. The details of the number of personnel arrested related to the drug trafficking community wise are appended below: –
Alienation of Manipur
Manipur has been alienated by India right from the merger in 1949. The then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru gave Kabaw Valley (22210 Sq Km) of Manipur to Burma/Myanmar sometime in 1952. People of Manipur had demanded Statehood peacefully and democratically after the merger but denied it on the pretext that population and resources are less to become a state. However, on the other hand, Nagaland was granted Statehood in 1962 though they had a lesser population and resources because they demanded arms on their hand. In 1960 while Manipur was a Union Territory, enforced The Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reform Act of 1960. In 1972, Manipur got statehood long after Nagaland. British consider Meitei as ST but Indian Govt left out Meiteis from the list of ST, whereas some illegal immigrant Kuki tribes are given the status of ST. Meitei extremists have been eliminated and Kuki-armed SoO groups are immune to some criminal law and paid a handsome amount (6000 INR approx.) per month per cadre.
The behaviour of Central Security Forces
During these crises, the behaviour of Central Security forces towards Meitei and Kuki has further deepened the feeling of alienation. Kuki protests are violent and no actions are taken whereas Meitei’s peaceful protests have been treated with lathi charges and tear gas. The pictures of such protest are annexed as Annexure – X. They are self-explanatory of atrocities to Meitei. The many planned protests at Jantar Mantar were either not given permission or cancelled permission later whereas Kuki was never denied protesting at Jantar Mantar New Delhi.
Ethnic Cleansing of Meitei
Meiteis have been killed and completely driven out from Kuki-dominated places like Churachandpur, Moreh, Kangpokpi, and Chandel. However, Kukis is successful in influencing the media and telling them that they are the victims. Ethnic cleansing of Meitei at the above places has been completed. Meitei is still suffering at Bishnupur near Churachandpur. No doubt, the Kuki community suffered casualties at Imphal in the initial stages of the crisis. Thereafter all the firing and killings are done by the Kuki armed groups with sophisticated weapons.
Kukis Embarrasses India
The Kukis have written to the United Nations for a separate country and to the Prime Minister of Israel for their help. Their side of the cooked-up story is heard by the Christian community EU parliament. This clearly shows their intent to be a separate country from India. They could even mobilize the Christian community around the world even though most of the victims in the ethnic conflict are Meiteis. They have put India in an embarrassing situation.
Demands of Meitei
The people of Manipur demand the following: –
(i) Integrity of Manipur (No separate administration for Kuki).
(ii) Abrogation of defunct and illegal Suspension of Operations (SoO).
(iii) Free movement in NH-2 (Imphal – Dimapur Road) and NH-37 (Imphal- Jiribam
Road) without any blockade throughout the year.
(iv) Inclusion of Meitei in the ST list of Govt of India.
(v) NRC at war footing.
(vi) Deportation of illegal immigrants.
(vii) Restoration of people displaced to their location with security.
(viii) Quick payment of compensation to the deceased family after verification of Indian
citizenship.
(ix) Removal of Assam Rifles from Manipur and replaced by some other troops.
(x) Strict actions against the narco-terrorist.
Solution
Already the trade and commerce route of India towards the western side is blocked by Pakistan. Carving of Kukiland/Zalengam/Zoland/Zomiland from Manipur will have absolute control over this strategic location and contain India in extending trade and commerce towards ASEAN countries.
Immediate disarming of SoO armed groups is the priority to initiate peace. It will instil confidence in Meitei in the Constitution and existing law. Once SoO is abrogated Army can take action whenever required. Meiteis are already bound by the existing law of the land and whoever violates the law has been punishing them. Secondly, Meitei is to be given ST status to have level playing fields will illegally settle Kukis, and avail all the facilities of India.
The write is a retired Indian Air Force Officer.
The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the NEA.
