Imphal Times Supplementary issue Page No. 2 The Kuki-Zomi Insurgency in Nearing Settlement

Sunday, March 31, 2019 By- Aheibam Koireng Introduction Z), Kuki National Front- Military brutalities of the “anti-national Naga of the Kuki community and forming Suspension of Operation (SoO) Council (KNF-MC), etc. activists” (Aide-Memoir to the a separate Kuki state called By - JOYSHREE HEISNAM with the ‘Kuki’ and ‘Zomi’ armed Signing of SoO Agreement Prime Minister of Shree ‘Kukiland’. groups in Manipur was preceded The SoO between the conglomerate AtalBehari Vajpayee for Immediate The Negotiation Process by ‘Cessation of Operations’ groups of KukidndZomi outfits Creation of Kukiland, submitted by In the later part of December 2008, agreement with the union namely, the United Peoples’ Front Kuki National Front on 8 April 1998). after the completion of four rounds government which comes into (UPF), and the KNO, State KNF split in 1995, with one unit of meetings on the SoO between the DEAR HAPPINESS effect from 01 August 2005. Later Government and the Central identifying itself as the “presidential Kuki and Zomi ethnic outfits led by in July 2006, Shri OkramIbobi, the Government was signed at Delhi on faction” and the other as the the KNO and the UPF, the JMG of I am tired of incumbent Manipur Chief Minister 22 August 2008. The state Cabinet “military council”. The former again the government finalized the (CM) on 15 July 2006 while clarifying presided over by the Chief Minister split into Samuel faction (KNF-S) process for issue of Identity Cards finding my way, that the state government was gave its approval to the said SoO and Zougam faction (KNF-Z). The to around 1745 cadres out of a total Lost all my findings in the finding , unaware had stated, “I am totally agreement signed within the total cadre strength of the outfit of 2519. At a meeting held on 19 blind in this matter and more so on framework of Indian Constitution (inclusive of all factions) is estimated December 2008 a list of 500 cadres Lost all my energy ,the little sweet , the happiness , the conditions maintained after the State Government rejected to be between 400 and 500 (Kuki of KRA, 377 cadres of KNF-P, 419 The every token of emotion . between the concerned demand of the Kuki outfits for Kuki National Front, www.satp.org, cadres of UKLF, 111 cadres of KLA, underground group and the army.” homeland or Zalengam to ensure the assessed on 26 June 2010). United 717 cadres of ZRA, 250 cadres of I guess that’s what my life is all about , (‘CM unaware of another Ceasefire territorial integrity of Manipur. Komrem Revolutionary Army KNF-S, 110 cadres of HPC and 45 with UG group’, Imphal Free Press (Cabinet nod to SoO deal, (UKRA) was formed on 23 October cadres of ZDV have been proposed To be gone is never gone , serenity is all I need now (IFP), Imphal, 15 July 2006.) TheSangai Express, 24 August 2004 to protect the interests of the by the Kuki groups for official . It mirrors the murky manner with 2008). Since the signing of the SoO, Komrem community (‘Manipur recognition. 23 numbers of which SoO began as the state it continued to extend from time to Outfit rears head’, The Telegraph, designated camps operating under A serene sleep without worries of tomorrow . government was being sidelined time. The latest one being the Calcutta, 26 october 2006). different Kuki militant groups have Little did I know , I would be like this. and not taken into confidence signing for extension of another one KRA was formed in December 2000 also been proposed for official though law and order is a state year which came to effect from 31 by a group of disgruntled cadres of identification. The said meeting I fell in love with the wilderness of the bewitched . subject. It was the army which August 2017. the KNF-MC faction with purported between the JMG and the KNO and Slowly,slowly it engulfed me . initiated the move of suspending Profile of the Armed Outfits objective of securing a “separate UPF was attended by the State the operation against the Kuki and While the KNO represents 11 State” for the Kuki tribe within the Principal Secretary Home, Deputy I know at the moment , I am mixed with emotions. Zomi armed outfits. Previously groups, the UPF represents eight Indian union. It has approximate Director of Subsidiary Intelligence Ceasefire under SoO was between outfits. After a series of turns and cadre strength of 250. National Bureau (SIB), Colonel Sanjay Gupta the Indian army and central negotiations and brain storming Socialist Council of -Isak- of GS (HQ) Inspector General Assam But know dear, wilderness ,I love you a lot. paramilitary forces and some armed sessions, the ground rules for the Muivah (NSCN-IM) was Rifles (IGAR)-South; Mr.Rakesh groups belonging to Kuki and Zomi suspension of operations between instrumental in training and arming Dhakarwal, Commandant, Central But for a while , I intend to have a sound sleep. communities. The Ministry of the Government and Kuki armed the KRA cadres (file:///G:/ Reserved Police Force; Lieutenant Defense in a press release dated groups were signed on 22 August CDPS,%20Manipur%20Insurgency.htm, Colonel D Mishra, GSD (Int), 57 Do wake me up on the never ending day , October 7, 2005, disclosed that eight 2008. In it, Joint Secretary in the assessed on 20 June 2010). KLA was Mountain Divison; KMS Rao, Of our world we created. ‘Kuki’ and one ‘Zomi’ militant group Union Government in charge of formally re-established in 1993 with Assistant Director, SIB; Major S in Manipur had entered into an Northeastappended his signature the sole objective of safeguarding Jung, HQIGAR (S) and seven other informal ‘ceasefire’ with the Union on behalf of the Government of the political interest of the Kukis representatives from the KNO and Government. ‘Cessation of India (GoI) while the state and their inhabited areas which UPF (1745 Kuki undergrounds to be GIFT operations’ agreements was government of Manipur was purportedly claimed to have given I-cards, 23 camps proposed concluded with these groups with represented by Principal Secretary inherited from the Kuki ancestors for official recognition,IFP, 22 Everyday is a gift. effect from 01 August, 2005. (Home). Eight members each from (‘KLA celebrates anniversary’, IFP, December 2008). (‘Insurgency & Peace Efforts in the UPF and the KNO also signed 18 December 2007). Hmar People’s With the signing of the tripartite A gift to everyday Manipur’, G:/CDPS, Manipur the SoO. Convention-Democratic (HPC-D) is agreement, SoO came into force The world is a lift, Insurgency.htm, assessed on 21 KNO comprises of 11 different Kuki an offshoot of the political party, initially for a period of one year with June 2010). In connection with it, and Zomi armed ethnic outfit. They HPC, which came into existence in the provision that it could be With you I feel a day. the Manipur CM stated that the are Kuki National Army (KNA), 1986, spearheading a movement for extendable on the basis of mutual ceasefire between the “Indian Kuki National Front-Military self-government in the north and agreement and understanding. The But this makes me sad. security forces and some Non-Naga Council (KNF-MC), Kuki National northeast of . The Mizo KNO spokesman, Dr. SeilenHaokip For you to treat me like bit. insurgents” was not acceptable as Front-Zogam (KNF-Z), United Peace Accord of 1986, failed to took SoO as a pre-requisite to it lacks the state government’s Socialist Revolutionary Army address their demand of a ‘Greater political dialogue’s For you, I am a puppet ;all that you have been was consent. Further he stated that the (USRA), ZouDefence Volunteer- Mizoram’ integrating all areas commencement.( Kuki solution fake. state government would form KNO (ZDV-KNO), United Komrem inhabited by Hmars in Mizoram, should be within Indian modalities and concrete ground Revolutionary Army (UKRA), Zomi Assam and Manipur under a single Constitution, NorthEast Sun, I listened to everyday but i can’t now sit . rules for holding dialogues with Revolutionary Force (ZRF), Hmar administrative unit. Since April 1987, October 15, 2008). While voicing on insurgents groups operating in the National Army (HNA), Kuki the HPC waged an armed struggle behalf of the KNO he stated that state.(‘Indian Army-UG Ceasefire Revolutionary Army (Unification), for autonomy. However in 1992, HPC the tripartite agreement was a Why do I always have to be the one without State Govt’s consent’, IFP, Kuki Liberation Army (KLA-KNO) representatives and the structural necessity. He exemplify by 25 February 2006). and United All Kuki Liberation Army Government of Mizoram mutually stating that the Joint Monitoring To be out of bond just cause I m younger than you. Pursuit for State Recognition (State Govt authorizes Principal agreed signed a Memorandum of Group comprising representatives Funny it is to be your branch as I no longer done. Kuki National Front (KNF) had Secy to sign SoO agreement with Settlement (MoS) at the Mizoram from GOI, KNO and the Government issued a threat that “if the ruling Kuki militants, IFP, Imphal, 4 Aug , capital Aizawl on July 27, 1994, for of Manipur will be dealing with There was never a gift, but a mystery. state government did not apply the 2008). While the UPF represents establishing the ‘Sinlung issues related to the field or the SoO (Ceasefire) pact in the state eight outfits which include Kuki Development Council’ and ground rules. JMG are going to be To be your branch ,this is really a puzzle to everyday. between Kuki revolutionaries with Revolutionary Army (KRA), Kuki subsequently, 308 HPC militants responsible for monitoring the Center there shall be no room for National Front-P (KNF-P), United surrendered along with their arms. activities of KNO’s cadres and the Congress (I) in the forthcoming Kuki Liberation Front (UKLF), Zomi HPC-D was formed by a section of security forces. JMG is an state election (Ninth Manipur Revolutionary Army (ZRA), Hmar the HPC cadres who were administrative body, which will take Assembly Election, 2007) in the Peoples’ Conference/ Democratic dissatisfied with the implementation decisions pertaining to the camps DISTANT ONE Kuki dominated hills in the state”. (HPC-D), Kuki Liberation Army process MoS. The purported and ground issues; it is not going The outfit spelled out that it would (KLA/KLO), Kuki National Front-S objective of the outfit over the to be responsible for making political ban any Congress (I) workers, (KNF-S),etc.( SoO with Kuki groups, years has changed from an decisions. However this was not candidate and campaign in the Kuki IFP, Imphal, 6 September 2008). autonomous district covering the KNO’s preferred model. Instead From across the sea,I dare see dominated areas.( KNF to ban The main objectives of the KNO/ north and northeast Mizoram to an KNO would want GoI to engage in I see a light, Congress, IFP, Imphal, 12 August KNA is to bring together all the independent Hmar State (Hmar dialogue with them and referred to 2006). The Kuki Liberation Army Kuki-inhabited areas separated by Ram) consisting of the Hmar the Manipur state government any Through ethereal strings of time. (KLA) /Kuki Liberation ‘artificial boundary’ created in 1935, inhabited areas of Mizoram, relevant issue as and when Organization (KLO) also had stated specifically in the Kabaw valley of Manipur and Assam. The cadre necessary. A Joint Monitoring I see a dim light. that despite entering into SoO with and the Kuki inhabited strength of the outfit is estimated Group headed by Principal Which I hold in heart as the Indian army and the central areas in the hill districts of Manipur to be between 100 and 150 Secretary (Home), with a security forces, the congress led under one administrative unit called (www.satp.org). representative each from the UPF A token of pride. state government refused to ‘Zalengam’ (Land of freedom). In ZRA was formed in 1997 as an armed and the KNO had also been formed. For that you are a jewel recognize and endorse the SoO case of the eventuality of such wing of ZRO which was formed in Issuing of identity cards to all the agreement. KLO also alleged the integration not materializing, the 1993. The purported objective of cadres of the two groups by the A jewel which beacon me . state government for not taking any KNA aims at the creation of two the ZRO/ZRA is to protect the government, payment of Rs. 2000 initiative of approaching the centre Kuki states: one within Burma i.e. interests of the Paite community to each cadre monthly for The path to you is narrow and dark . to start a peace talk. On these ‘Eastern Zalengam’ and the other from the ‘onslaught of any maintenance as well as identifying I have become the battlefield, grounds, the KLO had imposed ban within India, ‘Western Zalengam’. community or group’. It further and building the designated camps. on the candidates of the ruling The KNA has an estimated strength attempts “to bring all the The cadres will not be allowed to Of mind and heart through the way. alliances who were contesting the of 600 cadres armed with an array of Zomipeople, divided by artificial move out of the designated camps elections. (‘KLA na Congress ta weapons like AK-Series, G-series, State boundaries in various with arms and all the designated These humble beginnigs to you. athingbathamkhre’, Poknafam, M-series and 60mm mortar (Kuki countries, specifically in Myanmar camps will be located at a good Distant one,is indeed a Distant. Vernacular Manipuri Daily, 8 National Army, www.satp.org, (Chin State), India (Manipur and distance from the national highways January 2007). The outfit also assessed on 26 June 2010). Mizoram) and as well as international boundaries, Whence came this, two ethereal path. carried out bomb attacks at the ZouDefence Volunteer (ZDV) was (Chittagong Hills Tracts), together and strict adherence to the rules so residence of Minister, Ph. Parijat said to be formed in 1997 however under one administrative unit, a laid down are some significant Celestial shine, I did and the President of Manipur its existence came to be known in ‘Zogam’, which means ‘land of the points of the ground rules. As per In that hope, radiant light Pradesh Congress Committee 2003. ZDV strives for maintaining Zomi’ under the Indian Union” the agreement, the enforcement of (MPCC), MrGaikhangam. The Kuki their intermediary “Zou” identity (ZRA, www.satp.org, assessed on the ground rules would be the I distantly approached you. and Zomi armed outfits which without aligning to either the 26 June 2010). ZRF was formed by a responsibility of the state entered into the said informal “Zomi” or the “Kuki”. KNF was group of Paites defected from ZRA. government with the help and Letters, Feedback and Suggestions to ‘Imphal Times’ ceasefire include Kuki National founded on 18 May 1988 with the USRA was formed by Vaiphei cadres assistance of the central police Organization (KNO)/Kuki National objective of the demand for who defected from ZRA to uphold organizations, Assam Rifles and can be sent to our e-mail : [email protected]. Army (KNA), Zomi Revolutionary Kukiland which consisted of the the dignity and identity of the Army deployed in the state of For advertisement kindy contact: - 0385-2452159 (O). Army (ZRA) / Zomi Revolutionary districts of Churachandpur, Vaipheis. United Kuki Liberation Manipur (SoO signed enforced, For time being readers can reach the office at Cell Organization (ZRO), KLA/ KLO, Chandel, parts of Tamenglong and Front (UKLF) was formed on March IFP, 23 Aug 2008). Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA), parts of Senapati and to defend the 29, 2000 with the purported The agreed “Ground Rules” Phone No. 9862860745 for any purpose. Kuki National Front – Zogam (KNF- Kukis from the atrocities and objective of upholding the interests CONTNUE ON PAGE 3