FoH dismisses KIM memo

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jun 2: The Federation of Haomee (FoH) has dismissed the history of Manipur narrated by the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM)  in their memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister yesterday as concocted, baseless and fanciful.
The memorandum submitted by the KIM would not serve any purpose as another memorandum was already submitted to Union Home Minister Amit Shah on October 15, 2019 where  it was clearly pointed out with supporting documents that there was no such war called Anglo-Kuki War in the history of Manipur and also in the history of the United Kingdom, said a statement issued by the FH.
On May 18, 1919, 12 Kuki prisoners, then jailed in Kohima, submitted an application to the Commissioner, Surma Valley and Hill Districts (through the Deputy Commissioner, Naga Hills) stating that they were not waging war against the British rulers but were only helping Chingakham Sana Chauba Singh who claimed to be younger brother of Maharaj Churachand to dethrone the latter.
The Kuki chiefs/prisoners were helping Chingakham Sana Chauba Singh because the latter promised that the house tax paid by Kukis would be cut down from Rs 3 to Re 1 if he becomes king of Manipur, the FH asserted.
The Kuki prisoners also pleaded for mercy through the same application.
Even though the Kuki Inpi Manipur has been claiming the particular event to be Anglo-Kuki War, a report submitted by JE Webster, Chief Secretary to the Chief Commissioner of Assam on June 27, 1919 to the Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign and Political Department clearly stated that it was only an armed rebellion, called Kuki Rebellion (1917-1919).
Khongsais and Thadous have been living together with other indigenous peoples of the land since ages in peace and harmony and they never did anything which went against peaceful co-existence and collective interest of Manipur, the FH said.
However, some Kuki people who came to Manipur in the latter period have been working continuously to manipulate the history of the land and sow seeds of communal discord, it alleged.
Kukis should not try to distort the history of Manipur nor should they usurp the rights of Thadous and Khongsais, it said.
The FH further asserted that it would not remain silent to any challenge to the integrity and history of Manipur.