Kuki chiefs caution against district roll back

From Our Correspondent

KANGPOKPI | Oct 5

A consultative meeting of Kuki chiefs across the state was held today at Imphal under the aegis of Kuki Inpi in connection with the prevailing political and land issues.

Altogether, more than 230 Kuki chiefs from across the state attended the consultative meeting at Kuki Inn, Imphal. The meeting unanimously resolved that any solution arrived in the ‘tripartite talks’ involving the Centre, state government and the United Naga Council (UNC) over the creation of seven new districts in Manipur should not in any way negate the interest and sentiments of other communities.

It was also discussed in the meeting that the tripartite talk may be an initiative for finding a solution but at the same time its decision could also have an adverse effect on peaceful co-existence and mutual understanding among different communities in the state.

The Kuki chiefs have been observing the tripartite talks on UNC’s demand for roll back of district creation and any decision to roll back would not be a wise decision.

The Kuki chiefs also maintained in the meeting that the government must understand that the hill areas of Manipur is not inhabited by the Nagas alone. It further said that there is the need to consult all the communities as the tripartite talks involve matter of land and the government should not stay ignorant about it.

The Kuki chiefs also resolved that the land issue cannot be discussed and fixed with UNC alone as every community has their stake in it.

 The chiefs have asked the central and the state governments to accommodate the sentiment of all communities.