Guwahati Oct 9: Four Kuki organizations—Kuki National Assembly (KNA), Kuki Human Rights Forum (KHRF), Kuki Gaon Buras Association (KGBA), and Kuki Students Organisation (KSO)—have strongly refuted allegations that Kuki families have fled from Manipur and settled in Karbi Anglong, Assam.
In a joint statement on Tuesday, the organisations called the claims “baseless” and “far from the truth.”
Their response came after the Karbi Lammet Amei (KLA), a Karbi literary body, submitted a memorandum to Tuliram Ronghang, Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), alleging that some Kuki families from Manipur had entered the Karbi Anglong district and settled in areas like Singhason and Khonbamon hills, following the ethnic violence in Manipur.
The Kuki organizations dismissed these claims, stating, “The suggestion that members of the Kuki community have come from Manipur and occupied Karbi land is a baseless assertion. It is neither practical nor feasible for internally displaced persons to grab land in such a manner overnight.”
In their statement, the Kuki organizations expressed surprise and embarrassment over the repeated allegations that Kuki families from Manipur have settled illegally in Singhason and Khonbamoren hills. They noted that similar claims were made earlier by the Karbi Students Association (KSA), whose president publicly stated that people from Manipur had taken over these areas. The Kuki leaders firmly denied these accusations, calling them “utterly false” and lamenting the unnecessary confusion and tension caused by such statements.
They emphasized that since the onset of the ethnic conflict in Manipur, the Kuki community has taken a responsible approach, cooperating fully with the authorities of the KAAC to prevent any illegal settlements by outsiders.
The Kuki organizations expressed their gratitude for the KAAC’s support during the crisis, particularly appreciating CEM Tuliram Ronghang’s leadership, which they credited for helping them navigate through the challenging times.
The Kuki leaders warned that if these “baseless allegations” are not addressed promptly and adequately, they could lead to misunderstandings and disrupt the peace in the hill district.
“The issue is highly sensitive, and any continued accusations could result in unfortunate consequences that threaten the region’s stability. We seek the intervention of the CEM to maintain peace and harmony in Karbi Anglong,” they added.
In response to the Kuki organizations’ denial of allegations, KLA general secretary Lilaram Teron clarified that their memorandum submitted to the KAAC on October 5 was not intended to incite discrimination or hatred towards any indigenous community, including the Kuki people who have long resided in Karbi Anglong and are part of the voter list.
Teron explained that the KLA’s concern stemmed from the ongoing Meitei-Kuki conflict in Manipur, which has displaced many people. The KLA feared that some of the displaced individuals might seek refuge in Kuki villages in Karbi Anglong. The memorandum, he emphasized, was a way to express these fears to the government, not a call to evict any community from the region.
The KLA also suggested that displaced people from Manipur could be given temporary shelter in Karbi Anglong under strict guidelines from the KAAC, ensuring that such settlements remain regulated.
Teron further clarified that the KLA has never accused the permanently settled Kuki population in Karbi Anglong of assisting with illegal settlements. He dismissed claims that the KLA had made repeated allegations against the Kuki community, stating that this was “completely invalid.”
He underscored that the KLA, as the apex body of Karbi society, has a responsibility to ensure peace and harmony in the region and that its actions should not be seen as an attempt to disrupt social cohesion. Teron urged that no individual or organization misinterpret the KLA’s memorandum as an effort to “dilute or pollute” harmony between communities in Karbi Anglong.
