'Only two indigenous people in Manipur,' says NSCN/GPRN

IMPHAL, Apr 8
In Manipur there are only two indigenous people and they are the Meiteis and Nagas, said NSCN/GPRN in a statement issued today.
A press release issued by the ministry of information and publicity, NSCN/GPRN  also stated that Nagas are recorded to be living in their land since time immemorial while the Kukis settled in Manipur just recently.
All these historical facts have been recorded by various scholars and imminent writers, both Indian and foreigners, said NSCN/GPRN and added that the Kukis living in the Chassad village has been recorded to be living from the 1940s onwards only.
Claiming that the Kukis has been living in and around Chassad with the permission of the Sampui village headman, it alleged that the Kukis has been allowed to live in the area until such time when they started claiming land ownership or as landowners.
Significantly, a joint consultation meeting of the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) and the Eastern Kuki Chiefs Association (EKCA), was held on July 20 last at TNL office, Ukhrul, whereby it was jointly signed by the TNL and EKCA that Chassad Kukis are not indigenous people and have no ancestral land in the Kamjong area, it further claimed adding that the recent incident that took place on March 16 at Chassad village was the result of provocation and the roadblock between Kamjong and Ukhrul, the burning down of a newly constructed petrol pump and one Shaktiman truck belonging to the Tangkhuls by the Kukis.
The NSCN/GPRN also said that the Kukis in connivance with the State Government are taking undue advantage of Tangkhuls’ humility and honesty by ignoring all the facts and historical evidence
"All said and done, the historical facts and other evidence that led to the flare-up of the Chassad village issue and the prejudiced stand taken by the Manipur Government has to be handled in the manner as called for," it added.