UKHRUL: The Foothills Naga Co-ordination Committee, (FNCC) has rejected the claims of arson at K Songlung by some Kuki CSOs and stated that no village was burned.
“In pursuance of its ongoing efforts to combat illicit poppy cultivation and associated activities, the Zeliangrong United Front claimed to have dismantled and razed at least 3 farm houses located near the Waphong Inthan area. These structures were being utilised by individuals engaged in large-scale poppy cultivation, employing several labourers,” FNCC said in a statement.
It maintained that allegations made by Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR), Sadar Hills Chiefs’ Association, and Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) were false and misleading.
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“Contrary to assertions made by the Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR), the Sadar Hills Chiefs’ Association, and the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), the site in question is not a village called “K Songlung,” nor was any village set ablaze. Such allegations are patently false and misleading,” it stated.
FNCC claimed that there is no village called K. Songlung (II) as per the Manipur Gazette.
“Pursuant to the Manipur (Hill Areas Village Authority) Act, 1956, a village must comprise a minimum of 20 households to be legally recognised. Furthermore, there is no village called K. Songlung (II) as per the Manipur Gazette. What exists there are merely rudimentary structures set up for poppy cultivation in Naga territory,” it stated.
It continued that historically, the land originally belonged to an Inpui village known as Tamphoimon.
“During the Kuki rebellion of 1918, the Inpui inhabitants abandoned the area, which has since remained under the care and jurisdiction of Waphong Inthan Inpui village. The Kukis illegally occupying the farmhouses arrived only in early 2017, constructed two temporary structures, and commenced poppy cultivation on the surrounding hill slopes, thereby destroying forests and laying claim to the land,” FNCC alleged.
It is evident that despite repeated warnings and appeals from state government and other organisations to desist from these illicit activities, poppy cultivation and illegal settlements continued unabated, FNCC stated, adding that the action taken was considered and directed solely against illegal farmhouses associated with poppy plantation, and not against any recognised village or civilian settlement.
“It is patently clear that a government-recognised village cannot logically consist of only two or three or four farmhouses or households, rendering the claim that this was a village untenable,” it stated.
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It further claimed that the location concerned was merely illicit farmhouses utilized for unlawful activities.
“While the FNCC does not condone or encourage the destruction of villages, it remains resolutely committed to opposing illicit poppy cultivation, which poses grave social, moral, and security threats to the region. We regret the loss of property; however, it is apparent that the location concerned is ancestral Inpui land and not a Kuki village called K Songlung, but merely illicit farmhouses utilized for unlawful activities,” it stated.
FNCC exhorted concerned groups to refrain from disseminating misinformation and called upon all communities to respect ancestral boundaries and uphold peace.
The committee stated that lasting peace and co-existence can only be achieved when Kukis abandon their adventurously selfish policies of territorial domination/aggression, demographic manipulation/illegal population plantations, illicit poppy cultivation and
playing victim card in Naga Areas.
“Instead of fomenting inter-communal tensions through misleading press statements and fabricated narratives aimed at legitimising illicit practices, the Kuki community must desist from pursuing policies of territorial aggrandisement, demographic alteration, and poppy cultivation, and cease playing the victim card in Zeliangrongpui and Naga areas. Only then can they coexist peacefully with other communities,” it stated.
It also refuted the claims by Kuki CSOs that there are no poppy plantations in the claimed K Songlung area and said that the state and central security forces have jointly destroyed poppy plantations on November 2, 8 and 20 last.
“Therefore, this illegal territorial domination and illicit poppy cultivation by Kuki must be addressed forthwith by the government. The continued allowance of poppy cultivation in this area speaks of a lamentable failure of governance, particularly given that such activities are taking place on Naga ancestral land in Manipur,” it stated, adding that the 24-hour ultimatum issued by SAHILCA is construed as a provocative challenge that invites conflict, which SAHILCA would do well to avoid.
“The FNCC remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding land, law, and social harmony in Naga areas,” it added.
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