Zeliangrong Union opposes

IMPHAL, Oct 16: The Zeliangrong Union (Assam, Manipur & Nagaland) has strongly opposed the proposed centenary celebration of Anglo-Kuki War 1917-1919 by erecting monuments in every Kuki village of Manipur with the inscription in ‘defense of their ancestral land and freedom'.
A statement issued by the secretary, information and publicity of the union today mentioned that there was no Anglo-Kuki war in the history of Manipur and alleged that it is a fictitious and concocted story created by the Kuki themselves to sustain their foothold so as to claim Kuki Homeland in Manipur as indigenous people. It further alleged that even though there was a Kuki rebellion, the Kuki rebelled against the Nagas and not the British.
The Union further claimed that the Kuki invaded Naga villages, including the then North West district of Manipur (at present Tamenglong district) killing many Zeliangrong villagers of Dailong, Makoi, Pabram, Longchum (Awangkhul) etc in cold blood between 1917 and 1919. It cautioned that the if the so called Anglo-Kuki war is observed without deleting the controversial inscription, it will invite another ugly incident of communal tension and conflict between the Kukis and the Nagas in the near future. ZU then appealed to the celebration committee concerned to omit/delete the said inscriptions as well as the State Government to make a firm stand in the regard and to not revoke its order, so as to avoid chaos in the State.