“Kuki’s demand for a separate state is legitimate”

From Our Correspondent

CHURACHANDPUR | Oct 19

A formal reception for the Kuki State Demand Committee (KSDC) members was organised at the conference hall of Kuki Inpi Churachandpur (KIC).

The members of KSDC were warmly received for their participation at the first national conventions of National Federation of New State (NFNS) held at Nagpur on October 14 and October 15.

During the programme, the general secretary of KSDC, K. Gangte made a brief paper presentation based on the press hand-out from the convention about creation of Kuki state.

The papers were later handed out to the media saying that the demand of Kukis for a separate state is legitimate. It also stated that the Kuki people have been demanding for Kuki state to government of India since Indian independence. It further stated that Kukis must be allotted a separate state under Indian constitution with the fact that the Kukis had fought against the British Empire for many years.

The papers also stated about how the Kukis were forced to take arms after the  political  party, the Kuki National Assembly (KNA) was formed in 1946, demanding for the Kuki state for which repeated appeal was made to the former prime minister of India, JawaharLal  Nehru.

Further, it stated that that Kukis had resorted for armed struggle under the banner of MNF in the 80’s but the Mizo Accord of 1986 belied them. The same struggle is going on under KNA and UPF, which are in a tripartite talk with the centre and state government.

It may be mentioned that the conference NFNS was held at Vasantro Deshpande Memorial Hall at Nagpur, where two representatives from KSDC attended the programme. The press hand-out by the president of NFNS also stated that the convention has resolved to set up a permanent centre of NFNS at Delhi soon, which will be opened to all.