IT News
Imphal, Aug 14:
The Kabui Union Manipur, headquartered at Mahabali Kabui Village, Imphal East, has issued a press release addressing concerns about the community’s ethnic identity. In a press release issued by K. Rajen Kabui, Vice President of the Kabui Union Manipur, it has been stated that the Kabui people are not part of the Naga ethnic group, countering historical and recent assertions that have suggested otherwise.
The Union highlights that figures like Kabui Tomba and Kabui Salang Maiba, who played significant roles in the Moirang Kangleirol, were not associated with the Naga identity. The community, listed under the Scheduled Tribe category in India since 1950, has maintained its distinct cultural and religious practices. Despite this, the press release expresses concern over attempts to categorize Kabui as Naga, American, German, or Kuki by various groups and external influences.
In 2012, the Ministry of Law & Justice recognized the Kabui, Inpui, and Rongmei under a unified identity. The Rongmei People’s Charter Declaration of January 9, 2018, further solidified this, stating that the identity of the community is “Rongmei,” and no other nomenclature should be used.
The Kabui Union has criticized the actions of certain organizers, specifically naming Achung Phaomei and Yazing Vicisy, who have been promoting the idea that Kabui and Rongmei are one and the same. The Union warns that any further attempts to undermine the community’s rights, as guaranteed by the Indian Constitution, will not be tolerated.
Additionally, the Union stated that confusion over the identity has become rampant event to the extent that All India Radio, Imphal labelled the Kabui program as a Rongmei program. They called upon all Civil Society Organisations to support their stance in preserving the Kabui identity and protecting the community from being marginalized.
