Newmai News Network
IMPHAL, June 14
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Kuki Inpi or the traditional government of the Kukis has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to settle the “crimes committed” by the NSCN-IM against the Kukis in the 1990s. The Kuki Inpi expressed hope that the new Prime Minister will accord due cognizance of the Kuki people’s struggle for justice over the heinous criminal acts of the NSCN (I-M).
In its memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister on June 13, the Kuki Inpi mentioned that 905 innocent Kuki citizens of India including women, some pregnant, babies and children, invalids, aged men and women were murdered. The memorandum also enclosed with photos as proof of uprooting 360 Kuki villages, seizing of their lands rendering one lakh Kukis homeless, scattering them everywhere without any means of survival.According to the Kuki Inpi, the five preceding Prime Ministers of India including Narasimha Rao, HD Gowda, Atal Bihari Vaypayee, IK Gujral and Dr. Manmohan Singh had been repeatedly requested to settle “this inconceivable crimes” committed by NSCN (I-M) before making any possible agreement. “The stance of the Kuki Inpi has been repeatedly made clear to all that until an amicable settlement is arrived at in the proper court of law, whatever agreement made is futile and would never be acceptable. To this effect, over 60 (sixty) memoranda have been submitted, a few copies are attached herewith as evidence and for easy reference,” it added.
“Your honour being a man of justice and action, we are confident that you would take due cognizance of our struggle for justice and amicable settlement. Any possible agreement with the NSCN (I-M) shall be deemed biased and prejudicial if the miserable plight of the Kuki people is not solved first. Attending to plight of the Kukis is in the best interest of the country to guard the country against foreseeable blame on the Government of India which allowed such genocidal acts on it citizens,” the Kuki Inpi memorandum stated, adding, “The enclosed memoranda may be perused to understand the whole nature of our issues. This fresh reminder is submitted for your kind and sympathetic action to usher in an era of justice and peace in the country, North East India in particular”.
The Kuki Inpi recalled that the Government led by BJP under the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee had the will to accord appropriate lawful action against the criminal acts of NSCN (I-M) when the Kuki Inpi delegation met him on July 21, 2001 at his Delhi Chamber in the presence of the then Home Minister LK Advani and other dignitaries, including Padmanabhaiah.
According to the Kuki Inpi, after patiently hearing out our plights and reading our Memorandum, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, verbally assured us that the BJP Government would do everything possible to find out the facts and the ways and means to take action on the criminal acts of the NSCN (I-M), and with a promise he proclaimed, “This is an order!” which was heard by all, including the ten members “Lawyers Forum” from Manipur. Unfortunately the BJP government fell from power soon after and the promise did not materialize.
“Therefore, we believe strongly that this record-breaking current majority BJP Government of India finally would first settle the issue of the Kukis before making any short of final settlement with NSCN (I-M) whose criminal leaders remain scot free,” it stated.
Manmohan Singh on his maiden visit to Manipur in 2011 had met the Kuki Inpi leaders and on his return to New Delhi wrote a one-sentenced letter to the “Home Secretary”, stating ‘A letter dated 22-11-2011 received in this office from T. Lunkim is forwarded herewith for action as appropriate’. But, so far no action is in view, the memorandum said.
“In conclusion it is prayed that your honour would first take due cognizance of our struggle for justice and for amicable settlement; and then take necessary lawful action against the criminal acts of NSCN (I-M) before making any kind of agreement or solution with NSCN (I-M), for the sake of Justice and Peace in the country,” the Kuki Inpi memorandum stated.
