THE TIHAR EPISODE: A RETROSPECTION

Ch Happyprince (ch.happyprince@yahoo.com)
Gabriel Hill, Imphal

The 23rd of March 2008 is not just another Easter Sunday. It marked the the first anniversary of the Kuki Students' Organisation, Delhi-led Mega Rally in New Delhi's Parliament Street. The KSO,D with its various fraternal student bodies as SSPP, KZP, ZSP, HSA, SIPHRO, et al launched massive demonstration against the unlawful deportation of more than 400 Kuki civilians across the Myanmar border in the cruel hands of Meitei UG group UNLF in connivance with the Military junta. On that eventful rally, students numbering about one thousand participated. The event took its ugly turn leading to the arrest of 154 students after severely beaten, tear-gassed, baton-charged, some even hospitalized and finally lodged in the infamous Tihar Central Jail. They're released on bail after languishing five days behind bars.

How far is the case under which students were arrested? "Even after a year has passed on such historic day for the cause of the Kukis, the fate of 154 Kuki students is yet to be known whenever the court summon for hearing their cases" lamented Lamtinthang Haokip, Gen.Secy., KSO Delhi. "The Kuki students seek possible helps from different Kuki leaders...but where are they...who cares...who truly cares for the Kuki society? Where are MLAs and Ministers to donate the least we plead for help?" he continued. Do we think that the innocent student protesters as the real terrorists as one of our politician has branded them?

If this is the way we react to our children's plight who fought for the cause of our people, do we expect that students will take part in any demonstration in the days to come? Don't we ever think of our children with whom our future lies? What about their careers? Ours is a society abound with perpetual socio-political problems. Nobody can guarantee that no misfortunes will will befall our nation again.

Why the deportation of innocent civilians? Why such an insecurity in our own land? The answers to these questions gives me a headache. Where the hell were our 'brave soldiers' when they're in need? While our fingers were fast and furious to pull the trigger that aimed/aims our own, our civilians, for whom we sacrificed to defend fell prey to Meitei UGs.

Just have a glance over the year since the Tihar episode. Within two months later happened what came to be known as 'Moreh incident'. The following months brought the news of the cold-blooded murder of Mr. Letkholun Hanghal, C-in-C of KLA in Thoubal district. Whose hand? None other than his own subordinates. Weeks that followed the saw the breaking-up of KLA into two factions. It ended up with the slain of Mr. Thunder who claimed the next supremo after his military coup. The group saw another black day when 7 of its cadres were mercilessly gunned down by the NSCN(IM) in Ukhrul district.

Nothing of that sort happened in Sahar Hills? Why not. There were frequent confrontation of KNA and KNF cadres in Saitu-Gamphajol area. None can tell who was right and who wrong or whom to blame and whom not to. Allegations and counter-allegations lead us nowhere. But one thing is true. It's an unnecessary bloodshed leading to the lost of many lives on both side.

Is that all? Nay. There's the bludgeoning of ROCK/KRA Chief Mr. Khuplam Hangshing to death in the national Capital. Delhi Police investigations revealed the handiwork of Meitei UG outfit UNLF yet again over 'money dispute'. As a consequent, as suspected , led to the birth of KRA(Unification/ United). What follows has another tale to tell. Subsequent incidents spill the beans. The gunning down of four men known to the public as social worker/village chiefs in Saikul sub-division and allegations made by the perpetrators speak volumes--another fratricidal episode having the potential to loosen the blood ties. An addendum to the internal homicidal diary book!

Any bright side? I don't know whether bright or to-be-bright. But there's a bit different story. Kuki Revolutionaries, in inspite of all these odds are heard to have the Suspension of Operation with the Indian Army. Says Mr. SH Seipu, Advisor to KNF President, "Fifteen Kuki military groups unanimously form a single body christened United Forum of the KNO and UPF to represent Kukis in the talks with Indian Army. This is our main achievement thus far". "Each time we held talks with the Indian Army, Rev. Dr. Hawlngam Haokip invoked Heaven's blessing" added Mr Seipu. On the question of Ceasefire, the Advisor is quick to respond. "Home Ministry is ready and a committee called People Consultative Committee for Peace is formed for the purpose. It has rekindled the hope of our long cherished dream--Kukiland. Doesn't it?

What is going on that added to our restlessness is the demand for inauguration of Sadar Hills as a full-fledged revenue district. The move for it has began since the early 1970s. The successive Govts. have been using the issue as a ploy to gain power. Earlier it was the gonna-be CMs and MLAs' vote bank. But now the issue seems fading even as election propaganda. Each time the issue is raised in the 60-seat packed Assembly, the best answer that the incumbent Congress CM O.Ibobi Singh gave is that 'it is yet to be implemented' , 'there's no such agenda as of now'. Frequent bandhs and strikes bear no visible fruit. To this day all we could observe and comment is that the day is still not near.

These are some of the major events which befell our society the year that just passed by. There may be another incidents inflicting us, I believe, worth mentioning. I'm raising these points not because we are not aware of it. My intention is not to judge any particular group or organisation as right or wrong, nor is it to blame anyone for the misfortunes. The only reason why I bring these to the fore is for a sensible person like you and I to retrospect and introspect. One wonders on which path are we trudging and in which direction. What is the way out here? What lies ahead of us in which we have little control? Who will initiate the move for better future? Knock, knock knocking on Heaven's door? I left these to the readers.

An urgent need for the Kuki Society

By : Ngamjahao Kipgen

For the nation to move on and in achieving its desirable goals, there are few things to look on – which is imperative and prerequisite in the context of the Kukis. To begin with, as the philosopher A.C. Grayling points out, “Freedom of Speech is the fundamental freedom. Without it you can’t have any others.

There would be no due process of law because you couldn’t defend yourself; no democracy because you couldn’t argue your case; no assertion of your rights because you wouldn’t be able to explain why those rights are being threatened. All our freedoms balance on this pinpoint.”

In this piece of writing, the writer intends to highlight few important issues which are deemed essential. Without going in deep details about the theory and meanings of free speech, and by simply taking the above viewpoint into consideration, the core issue of the Kukis can be highlighted into bringing a solution.

Whether we are fighting for a separate ‘Kuki homeland/ Kukiland’ or in establishing a ‘Zalengam’; over the last decades, we have arrived almost subliminally and without any real debate - on various issues involving the Kuki interest. Now, our concern here is not to discuss the Kuki interest, but to visualize the debates so far concerning the Kukis.

Skeptics sometimes would say that we make too much of free speech. True, some of us love to do and are constantly engaged in writing or expressing whatever strikes our big head. We should also not forget the fact that 'not every subject is everyone’s business.' Also, too much cook spoils the food. I guess we all are good armchair critics.

How many of us do really stand up for ‘free speech’ and for that matter with a right cause? And how many of us engage ourselves in a constructive judgmental debate? I believe very few of us (in fact none). Should we blame ourselves for this? Is it because we are not provided a platform to do so?


We do have many educated and rational thinkers even within the Kuki society; do they really care or dream of the Kuki nation marching ahead? We do have a dream; we do construct an ideal for the future development and betterment of the Kukis. However, eventually all these are shattered and remain a utopia.


Let it be a reminder to all sane Kuki individuals that freedom of expression is integral to tolerance, which is also a basic value in society. This principle involves a special act of carving out an area of socio-political dialogue or interaction for extraordinary and matters concerning the society.


The purpose of which is to develop and demonstrate a capacity to control feelings evoked by others through their expressions and insights. I felt that the freedom of expression principle should be left with the concern of nothing less than helping to shape the intellectual character of the society.

Many of us are in constant fear, in expressing what is desirable – our wisdom, skills and ideas are buried under the carpet, because we are scared of offending other individuals or groups. Even when an individual come up with a constructive ideas, either he is discouraged or threatened to stop thinking so! Often we are more interested in knowing who the person is (his background or to which clan he belongs) rather than seeing or observing what rational opinion or insight the person has.

Even much before knowing or understanding what someone really says or speaks, we bluntly disagree and consider him negatively. I feel that unless a society is open and constructive enough, there is no scope for progress. Mention may be made that there are instances of some local mouthpiece or magazines being banned for it hurt the sentiments or speak against the interest of a particular group or individuals.

Should we be more concern of not hurting a small section and distort all our thinking at the cost of the whole Kuki community. I think this is where we fail, and we ought to rectify this blunder or mistakes. Then only can we achieve what we wish and struggle for.

If this continues, then this makes no logical sense at all. I have never been able to understand why people and some group are avid defenders of free speech. Unless we stop living and thinking in a cocoon, the wind of change will never breeze on us. Hence, the rays of victory will remain a cloud.

Rather than engaging ourselves in a blame-game theory, it is better to jaw-jaw and have a meaningful dialogue on every issue and matters relating to the Kukis. The continuing debate in the kuki Forum network is a good beginning, yet it needs to go further - beyond a mere mudslinging/backstabbing or personal vendetta.


It is not for us to reminisce with past mistake, but to look forward and march on. We should always bear in our rational mind that ‘one monkey must not stop the show.’ We can no longer act as a blind or mute spectator, for the fruits of our mistakes now would be reaped by our own children in the days to come.


It is undenying fact that we are a nation already in chaos and turmoil - the steps ahead is to submerge ourselves in quagmire. How long can we remain in a deep slumber, it’s a clarion call and high time that we all act. Let us all stand up for a free speech and expression, then only ‘freedom’ will be ours!

(The writer is a Ph.D. student of Humanities and Social Sciences at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi. His area of research is on Land, Cultural Identity and Nationalism.)