IT News
Imphal, Aug 4:
The Federation of Haomee (FoH) has submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister of Manipur, urging the state government to address an appeal made by MLA Paolienlal Haokip in the ongoing state assembly session. Haokip’s appeal calls for the expedited creation of a Separate Tribal (Kuki Hills) State or Union Territory with a legislature within Manipur. FoH demands that this matter be discussed in the ongoing assembly session and requests a formal clarification from the Manipur Government regarding Haokip’s appeal. Additionally, FoH has urged the government to take legal action against Haokip.
The memorandum expressed confidence in the Chief Minister’s leadership and called for the rejection of Haokip’s request. FoH’s document detailed historical and territorial claims, referencing areas such as the Chasad Area, Mombi Hills, Jampi Areas, Haokip Reserved, Manlun Principality, and Singson Principality of Kuki Hills (Outer Manipur). According to FoH, these areas were acquired by Kuki chiefs who paid Hill House tax but not land tax, as the land within these scheduled hill areas belongs to the Kuki chiefs and their tribes.
FoH challenged the historical validity of the Kuki claims, stating that the Kukis’ earliest immigration and settlement in Manipur occurred around the 1830s and 1840s, citing Sir James Johnston’s book “Manipur and Naga Hills” (1896). They emphasized that the Kukis had no principality and were allowed to settle in Manipur only if they paid house tax. Following Manipur’s merger with India, the Permit System was abolished in 1950, leading to increased Kuki migration into Manipur.
The memorandum highlighted that the Kukis now enjoy Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, which FoH argues is not applicable, as the Kukis are not considered indigenous to Manipur. FoH pointed out that until 1973, Kukis received refugee funds from the Indian Government.
FoH accused Kuki organizations of manipulating historical records and village names to substantiate their territorial claims. They argued that the demand for separate administration would divide Manipur and its indigenous peoples. FoH concluded by urging the Manipur Government to take stern action against the demand for Kukiland, labeling it impractical and based on illegitimate claims.
