IT News
Imphal, Aug 27:
A book entitled, ‘Kuki Memorandum and So0 Agreement’ compiled by writer Ajit Sarangthem, published by Borasa Publications, was released today with organizing a release programme at the premises of the Book and Coffee, Yumnam Leikai, Imphal West.
The book is a compilation of memorandums submitted to the Govt. of India since 2008 by the Kuki bodies such as the Kuki National Assembly (KNA) and the Kuki State Demand Committee (KSDC) and also including in it documents of Suspension of Operation (SoO) and So0 Ground Rules.
The Book Release function was attended by Mutua Bahadur, Director Mutua Museum; Writer and Columnist Memo Laishram (Advocate) and Writer and columnist Bhubol Sougrakpam as the Chief Guest, the President and Guest of Honour respectively.
While giving a welcome address to all the participants, the compiler of the book Ajit Saranthem expressed that the reason behind his humble work is to make it widely available to the public particularly the scholars at this time of unrest, the relevant but selective documents so far appeared out in the recent years in regards of the Kukis’ trying to insert separatist agenda for demolishing the age-old unity and integrity of Manipur.
Guest of Honour Bhubol Sougrakpam who also talked about the book said that it is a timely publication of the right book on recent Kuki documents which shall help people understand the background of the ongoing chaos and violence which is a well-planned post-independence Manipur demolition theory articulated by Chin immigrants from Burma and Lushai Hills. He added that the compiler has chosen the relevant documents as contents of the book that shall be useful in analyzing the root causes of the present crisis and also in bringing its rightful end with the sustenance of the generations-old ‘Idea of Manipur’ a shared asset of all brethren ethnic communities.
Giving speech of the Chief Guest, Mutua Bahadur said that the term ‘Kuki’ was coined by British writers as an umbrella name based on administrative convenience for the then unsettled and nomadic tribes that arrived at the South-Western part of Manipur in 1840s from the Chin Hills and the Lushai Hills. Their inborn character was primarily wilderness but their settlement began in the soil of Manipur only under the charities of the then Kings of Manipur.
Kukis’ peaceful settlement within the inviolable boundary of Manipur by enjoying all reasonable rights shall be the only way for a lasting solution.
Advocate Memo Laishram, the president of the function said that it is very unfortunate and unbelievable that the Kukis have known only chaos and violence as means of achieving a goal not the laws of the land. Why they suffer more because of their unpardonable violent activities committing incessantly without humanism that are jeopardizing the people and state of Manipur and their only way for impunity is to surrender and submit to the state and seek their wishes under democratic means. A few social luminaries also shared useful opinions during the programme and scholars, students and social workers attended the book release function.
