Proposed 'Kuki State' Map ... as propounded by Kuki-Zo Council and Facebook page 'Kukiland' debated in Jiribam region

The Facebook page Kukiland, whose logo is a map supposedly of “Kuki State” covering almost the entire political map of Manipur and a so-called “British map of Kuki Country”, stated that they are “currently at war with the Meiteis”, reports Ukhrul-based 'Ukhrul Times' news daily.

The Kuki-Zo Council also uses the same controversial map, the proposed “Kuki-State Map”, in their official logo. 

Ukhrul

The proposed map includes regions such as Pherzawl, Jiribam, Noney, Churachandpur, Chandel, Tengnoupal, Kamjong, Kangpokpi, and parts of Ukhrul, Senapati, and Tamenglong districts.

In Churachandpur area - also described as Kuki-stronghold - some smaller tribes want a Zo Land. 

Obviously the Nagas of Manipur (and may be even elsewhere) are furious. Appreciating the gravity of the situation and rightly so -- the newspaper carried the article under a rather 'warning' type headline: 

Another Kuki-Naga Conflict in the offing?

Refer link (https://ukhrultimes.com/another-kuki-naga-conflict-in-the-offing/) 

The article says: "The post also advised the Nagas to remember that they (Nagas) are Christians and urged them not to repeat their alleged brutalities committed on “innocent” Kukis and Kuki women, allegedly by the NSCN-IM in the 1990s. "

It concluded by saying “After all, one thing you must remember as Christians is that, it’s important to love each other as neighbors and live in harmony”.

The Naga peace talks that began in 1997 might have reached a stage of no further progress. But there are multiple reasons for the same. 

Hence a bigger issue; can Solution come in the lifetimes of Thuingaleng Muivah? 

And if not, how will the next generation leadership of NSCN-IM after Muivah actually resolve the issue ??  

"Either I will be a Congressman or NPF or BJP.... but when the crux of the issue comes, Nagas will go by a consensus feeling...and there will be a collective stand for the Nagas. 

All sections of Nagas have formed a consensus view to work for a greater autonomy power," remarked another eminent citizen in Ukhrul.

For many Nagas in Manipur, the UNC's mandate and decision will work decisively.

To clear any confusion -- whatever is in the minds of Nagas of Manipur - one retired bureaucrat explains it better. 

"If the Naga peace talks between centre and NSCN-IM stand stalled; the Nagas of Manipur will have to act on the social realm. The demand for a new territory will be quite relevant than".  

Kuki-state demand issue debated in Jiribam region of Manipur:  

It goes without saying that the problems in Maipur are really complex. During my visit to Jiribam region; I found both Meiteis and Kukis discussing about this Kukiland 'map'.

One All Manipur Students Union leader from Jiribam town said - 

"The Kuki demand for such a land should be discarded at once. They came to Manipur from outside because of their old nomadic characteristic. 

But now they are being greedy like a son in law who thinks five of his brothers in law will simply walk away from their parental home". 

One Kuki leader says : "Dream is part of the vision. Big things in this world actually start with dreams... The BJP dreamt about Ram temple and abrogation of Article 370 ... and it became reality in 2019".

Bengali Muslims in Lal Pani locality also opposed the idea of a Kukiland especially taking away all districts of Manipur. "Let us be happy with what we have. Manipur as of today needs love and care and a healing touch," said one graduate in the locality Ilyaas Ahmed.

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