Who are Kuki in Manipur? Whether Kuki’s demand for home land in Manipur is reasonable?

By: Gitchandra Oinam
KUKI are state less ethnic tribe belongs to Malay Peninsula, Chittagong hill tracks, Myanmar and India. They are struggling for separate homeland demand either in Myanmar, Bangladesh or India since the insurgent outfit KNA/KNO was formed in Myanmar in 1988. Koki’s demand for separate homeland was rejected by Myanmar and Bangladesh government and trying to suppress by military, however, Kuki refugees from Myanmar are getting permanent settlement in Manipur and trying to provide separate administration in the state of Manipur by centre.
The term “KUKI” is an exonym: it was used by Bengalis refer to the tribes inhabiting Lushai hills. The term come to British uses when chief of Chittagong appealed to British Governor General Warren Hastings for help against Kuki raids from hills. Over time, British came to distinguish the tribes currently called Kukis from the remaining Lushais. An intelligence branch report from 1907 listed Ralte, Paite, Thadou, Lakher, Hmar and Poi tribes are among Kukis.
According to information found in The Encyclopedia of Indo Aryan Research (ethnography, Caste and Tribes) 1912, KUKI are hill dweller tribe of Assam Frontier. Lushai hills (Mizoram) and Naga Hills (Nagaland) were part of Assam Frontier before India got Independence. No Kuki was recognised in princely state of Manipur. MEETEI was recognised as Hills Tribe of Manipur.
The Gazetteer of Manipur (1886), based on the same census, noted that there were approximately 8,000 old Kuki in Manipur, who traditionally lived in the state, and about 17,000 new Kuki ( THADOU ) who migrated from Lushai hills and Burma (Myanmar).
The name KUKI was first heard in Manipur only in the year 1830-1840. THADOU Kuki (30 sub tribes) enters in Manipur in the year 1844-45 during the period of Maharaja Nara Singh. This THADOU Kukis sub tribes are NEW KUKI
Standing order of the President Manipur State Durbar in his order no 9 of 09/09/1993 declared that a Kuki village having 29 houses shall pay house tax of Rs 6/- per annum. Standing order of PMSD T.A. sharp in his order no 2of 23/07/1941 declared that Kuki shall obtain prior permission from the Chief of Naga village for settlement and pay house tax to the Naga Chief.
WHO ARE OLD KUKI?
1. KHONGSAI: sub Kuki tribe enters in Manipur in the year 1741 during king Pamheiba period. They are bonafide sub Kuki tribe according to Foreigner Act 1946. Khongsai tribe has proximity with Lushai (commonly known as Mizo) tribe and some of them have been assimilated to Lushai (Mizo) tribe.
2. VAIPHEI: sub Kuki tribe enters in Manipur in the year 1832-34 during Maharaj Gambhir Singh period. Their annual celebration for entering in Manipur was stopped in the year 1986.
3. HMAR, PAITE, SIMTE enters later. These sub Kuki tribes ( Khongsai, Vaiphei, Hmar, Paite, Simte ) are termed as old Kuki.
These tribes took permission from Maharaja of Manipur when they enter to Manipur and paid tax. Though they are sub Kuki tribes they are belongs to ZOMI tribe- namely Gangte, Paite, Zou, Vaiphei etc. However, earliest and oldest KHONGSAI tribe does not included in ZOMI tribe.
WHO ARE NEW KUKI IN MANIPUR?
THADOU (a group of 30 sub tribes) enters in Manipur in the year 1845 during the period of Maharaja Nara Singh. They are referring to as “New KUKI”. W. McCullough in his account published in 1859 as well as R.B.Pemberton in his report on Eastern Frontier published in 1885 also suggests large migration of Kuki in Manipur at the start of 19th century.
However, under British protection McCullough settled them down allotting to them lands in difference places with the permission and blessing of Manipur Maharaja Nara Singh. McCullough feel that the presence of Kuki will useful when the Kuki have become enemy of Burma and when the France and Portuguese influences in Burma was strong against the British interest in Burma and for Manipur also, Manipur was extremely weak after 7 years devastation, the effect of which is still lingering as renewed danger. Some Kuki were made irregular troop, others were told of to carry loads according to the custom of the state.
During World War 1914-1919, British were recruiting thousands of people from its empires to assist them in the war effort. In January 1917, the British Indian Government ordered the Maharaja of Manipur to supply non combatants to serve in the war. The Nagas were pressed into service as part of the imperial army’s Labour Corps, a vast body to build roads, carry luggage and provide other kinds of logistic support. The Kuki chiefs refused to join labour crops and instead declared war in 1917. During this period, one Meetei leader called Chingakham Sanajaoba Revolt against Maharaja Gambhir Singh. Kuki joined the revolt against Manipur Maharaja to pay lower house tax if Chingakham Sanajaoba wins rebellion. The Revolt was continued for two years 1917-19. The leaders of the revolt were arrested and send off to exile or put to jail in Andaman and Nicobar Island. Kukis from Naga Hills joined in the rebellion. This is called Kuki great Rebellion. Meitei called it KHONGSAI WAR. Radical Kukis was trying to develop as “Anglo Kuki War “but but failed, therefore removed the word “Anglo Kuki War” from CENTENARY GATE at Churachandpur.
During the World War, combined Japanese and INA army advanced towards Myanmar and Manipur and hoisted INA flag at Moirang. INA recruited local non combat volunteers to get logistic support and guide. Kuki in Myanmar and Manipur joined in INA non combat volunteers. INA does not provide military training and gun to local Kukis. They are simply loaders, however, some of local Kuki, Meitei and Naga volunteers get the honour of “freedom fighter” after India got Independence. Did Kuki fired any gun or killed any British soldier as a volunteer of INA? No official record was found for INA Kuki volunteers firing gun and killing British soldier.
Most of the Kuki rebellion leaders were belongs to THADOU KUKI. Out of 30 THADOU sub Tribes – Haokip, Dongel, Guite, Kipgen, Hangsing, Mate, Baite, Touthang, Chongloi plays a lead roles from the beginning to present crisis. Other tribes joined with them.
The followings are the recognized Thadou tribe covered under the amended Vide Govt. of India Ministry of law Notification Order No. SRO-24777-A, Dated 29th October, 1956, New Delhi.
1. Guite, 2. Doungel, 3. Sitlhou, 4.Singsit, 5. Kipgen, 6. Haokip, 7. Chongloi, 8. Hangshing, 9. Touthang, 10. Lotjem 11. Haolai, 12. Tuboi, 13. Sa’um, 14. Khuolhou, 15. Lupho, 16. Lupheng, 17. Misao, 18. Mate, 19. Baite, 20. Lhungdim, 21. Ngailut, 22. Kiloung, 23. Insun, 24. Jongbe, 25. Lunkim, 26. Lienthan, 27. Thangngew, 28. Ghansan, 29. Lhang’um, 30. Khuongthang.
Thadou Inpi claims that these sub tribes are clan of Thadou, however, in other north east states these sub tribes are mentioned as any Kuki tribe. Unlike any other tribe, inter clan marriage took place in Thadou that is why they are considered as sub tribe.
Genealogical tree of the Thadou as constructed by McCulloch in 1857 having been proved as the correct version was by Dr. Grierson, C.A, K.C.I.E, Ph.D, D. Litt., LL.D, ICS (Rtd.), in his book on “Linguistic Survey of India” (Vol.III: Tibetan -Burman family, Part III: p. 351, 361 & 383) in 1904 after fifty seven years of publication of McCulloch’s work.
Whether Kuki demand for home land or separate administration in Manipur reasonable?
MNF established in 1961, was demanded initially for greater Mizoram (Lushai hills) created form Assam so as to encompass all Mizo tribes in a single political government then independence or join in Myanmar. However, Manipur was princely state having own distinct geographical location and administrative structure before merger to India. A Mizo rebel batch of two hundreds failed to reach china because of floods o n the Chindwin River in 1968. After a fierce fighting, Mizo accord was signed between GOI and MNF in 1968 had brought bliss and tranquility in Mizoram.
Determined to confront their political and ideological enemy jointly pan Mongoloid coalition, the UNLF, NSCN(K), ULFA and KNA joined hands in May 1990 to constitute the Indo Burma Revolutionary Front (IBRF). The task of IBRF was to wage united struggle for independence of Indo Myanmar.
When the students uprising erupted against military junta in Myanmar and gathered momentum in 1987, hundreds of Myanmar students, political dissidents and people began to take shelters in India’s frontier state like Manipur. The Indian Embassy in Yengon encourage Myanmar’s activists and people to cross into India, promising shelter and support their pro democratic movement. India was one of the first Myanmar’s neighbours to condemn the military repression against pro democracy activists during nationwide uprising. Since then, Myanmar people infiltrated uninterruptedly in Manipur taking advantage of govt. of India support and unguarded 398 km long Manipur Myanmar border. In 2023, 2178 registered Myanmar refugees enters in Manipur and they have established 41 Myanmar villages in Tengnoupal, Chandel, Kamjong and Churachandpur districts of Manipur.
Nandini Basistha wrote in her research work on “Indo Myanmar cross border insurgency” that Kuki National Army (KNA) was established on 24 February 1988 at Molnoi in Myanmar under the Chairmanship of Thongkhlun Haokip, operated in Myanmar and some interior hills districts of Manipur – particularly Chandel, Ukhrul and Churachandpur. The aim of KNA is to achieve an Independent sovereign Kuki state by curving out exclusively the Kuki populated areas of Myanmar now U turn to Kuki inhabited areas of India. Another Kuki rebel group, United Kuki Liberation Front (UKLF) was set up in early part of 2000. Chief of Army, Nelson Kuki, with an estimated strength of 60 members, fighting for a Kuki homeland in Kuki settled areas of India and Myanmar and also trying to abolish the KNA and KNO in Manipur. Nehlun Kipgen established the Kuki National Front (KNF) in 1987. He was trained by the KNA in Myanmar and seeks a separate Kuki land state within India consisting of the districts of Sadar Hills, Churacahndpur, Chandel and parts of Tamenglong and Ukhrulin Manipur. KNF boasted some 500 youthful cadres in 1995, drawn also from Kukis living in Assam (North Cachar hills and Karbi Anglong )
With the aims and objectives of maintaining a separate identity of the Zomis and to unite all Zomis scattered in different parts of India, Bangladesh and Myanmar, the Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA) and Zomi Reunification Organisation (ZRO) was established on 7 May 1993 at PHAPJAM in Myanmar.Thanglianpao Paite of PANGMOL village of Myanmar was the President of ZRA while Kamsuanthang Paite of PEARSONMUN village under Churachandpur district was the General Secretary. ZRA operated mainly from Southern area of Churachandpur. The ZRA is believed to be a splinter group of the larger Zomi National Movement (ZNM), which was active in the year 1980 and 1990s.
The Narcotics trade from across the border continues with Kuki militant groups resorting to be it as a prime source of finance. Poppy grown on the Indian side of the border is transported into Myanmar for refining and the refined heroin either finds its way to Thailand or is routed back into the Indian states of Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Meghalaya. In Northeast India, the narcotics trade and insurgency are close allies as insurgents sell heroin to procure arms and funding politicians in Manipur.
During Naga Kuki ethnic clashes in 1991-93, 230 lives had lost and over 1 lakh people displaced. Unarmed Myanmar Kuki refugees filtrated in Manipur and took armed and fights against Naga. Tengnoupal District was predominately settled by Naga, however, Kuki could control over Moreh in Tengnoupal district after Naga Kuki ethnic clashes. Since then, Kuki insurgency gained momentum, with the Kuki arming them against Naga. Out of 32 Kuki Insurgent groups operating in Manipur, of which 25 are under tripartite SoO with the GOI and Manipur state government in 2008. As many as 17 are under the umbrella group of Kuki National Organisation (KNO), and 8 are under the United People’s Front (UPF).
There are 2,200 cadres belonging to the two organisations who are supposed to stay in 14 designated camps. They are each entitled to a monthly stipend of ¹ 6,000. Terms of SoO Pact are 1) The Joint Monitoring Group (JMG) oversees the effective implementation of the pact. 2) Security forces, including state and central forces, cannot launch operations, nor can the underground groups. 3) Signatories of UPF and KNO abide by the Constitution of India, laws of the land, and territorial integrity of Manipur. 4) They are prohibited from committing atrocities and extortion. 5) The militant cadres are confined to designated camps, with arms deposited in a safe room under a double-locking system. 6) The groups are given arms only to guard their camps and protect their leaders. 7) While the period of the Suspension of Operation agreement is one year, it is extendable according to the progress of its implementation.
Talks are ongoing under AB Mathur, former special secretary of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), as the interlocutor. The Kuki outfits who were initially demanding a separate Kuki state have come down to a ‘Kuki land territorial council’ in Kuki dominated areas of Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Chandel and Tengnoupal districts of Manipur, which would have financial and administrative powers independent of the Manipur Assembly and government, overlapped with Naga inhabited areas claiming for Greater Naga Land. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, ahead of the 2022 elections, promised to “solve” the Kuki issue if the BJP was voted to power. The Kuki groups even officially announced their support for the BJP. The revocation of this SoO agreement by the N. Biren government has now raised questions about this arrangement. The SoO agreements with the UPF and the KNO, which are reviewed every year, were last extended by the MHA for one-year period from March 1, 2023 to February 29, 2024. However, On 10 March 2023, the N. Biren Singh government decided to withdraw from the agreement, with two Kuki militant groups — the Kuki National Army (KNA) and the Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA) — accusing them of pushing illegal migrants from Myanmar and alleging their involvement in inciting agitation among forest encroachers.
The Kuki-Chin-Mizo communities, who have shared ethnic ties, are spread across Manipur and Mizoram, as well as in the neighbouring countries of Myanmar and Bangladesh. However, Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on June 26 said Union Home Minister Amit Shah had assured that the Centre would ensure the implementation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki insurgent groups in the hill areas. The pact requires the insurgent groups to remain in designated camps with weapons behind lock and key. The Chief Minister has alleged that the Kuki insurgent groups violated ground rules of the SoO pact and instigated violence. 
Centre plan for Kuki homeland settlement in Manipur was not aware by Meitei and Naga- only two indigenous people of Manipur. Sudden attack by Kuki militants to Meitei community on Schedule tribe demand of Meitei was a cause of serious concern.
After the May 3 violence erupted in Manipur, there were allegations that the sophisticated weapons surrendered as part of the SoO pact were used to attack the Meitei community. There are reports of 40 pc missing militants from designated camps. Since May 3, when the ethnic violence started, over 4,000 weapons and lakhs of ammunition were given away or looted from police armoury. Ethnic violence between the Kuki and Meitei communities had claimed at least 131 lives and displaced around 60,000 people. 
Now, indigenous people of Manipur mainly Meitei and Nagas are asking why centre initiated SoO with foreign Kuki militants. Why Centre shall provide Kuki homeland in Manipur? Why centre is trying to create separate administration of Kuki? Kukis contribution in Manipur history is zero. In fact, Naga recognised Kukis as foreigners in Manipur.