Imphal: Socio political commentator and former BJP chief spokesperson Ch. Bijoy has questioned the audacity of the Kuki people in demanding their homeland in Manipur when other indigenous communities living in the state have not raised such a demand. He also pointed out that the Kuki people claim themselves to be one of the indigenous tribes of Manipur, but history says otherwise.
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Briefing the media at his Lamphel residence today, Ch. Bijoy said, Page 73 of the book titled “Wild Races of The Eastern Frontier of India” written by Thomas Herbert Lewin clearly mentions the Kuki tribe and, as per the book, the Kuki people first made their settlement in the remote locations of Chittagong Hill tracts in 1580 and they were nudists then.
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He further said Kukis cannot claim to be indigenous people of Manipur, simply based on false narratives, adding that Kukis must challenge the writings of Thomas Herbert Lewin in the Court if they actually thought they were indigenous inhabitants of Manipur. He also asked why the Kuki community has not challenged the terminology of “Old” and “New” Kukis used by the British writers.
Reacting to a series of claims recently made by BJP MLA Paolienlal Haokip who had stressed that the creation of three union territories would end the prevailing conflict, Ch. Bijoy also asked why the BJP had not yet clarified the BJP MLA’s remarks.
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