Kuki National Organisation

Kuki National Organisation
AbbreviationKNO
PresidentP.S. Haokip
SpokespersonSeilen Haokip
Founded24 February 1988 (1988-02-24)[1]
Armed wingKNA
IdeologyKuki minority politics
Kuki nationalism

The Kuki National Organisation (KNO) is a political organisation that currently serves as an umbrella organisation for about a dozen Kuki-Zo militant groups in Manipur, India.[2] It was established in 1988, with the aim of representing the interests of the Kuki-Zo people in northeast India and northwest Myanmar (Burma). The organisation operates alongside its principal armed wing, the Kuki National Army (KNA).[3]

Background

Until 1986, the Kuki people of Manipur participated in the Greater Mizoram movement of the Mizo National Front. The signing of the Mizo Accord left them in the lurch, and also created a "security void" with respect to the Naga militant group National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) formed in 1980. NSCN had the agenda of creating "Greater Nagalim" containing all the Naga-inhabited areas in various states, in particular Manipur.[4] Naga areas were interlaced with Kuki villages in northern hills of Manipur. The Naga integration movement resorted to the use of threat and forcible eviction of Thadou Kukis living among their midst.[5]

The Kuki National Front (KNF) and the Kuki National Organisation (KNO), along with its armed wing Kuki National Army (KNA), were formed in the face of these developments in 1988.[6][7] Whereas KNF is based in Kangpokpi,[8] KNO operates in all the Kuki-inhabited areas in India and Myanmar, except for Nagaland.[9]

Structure and leadership

The Kuki National Organisation was founded in 1988, with P.S. Haokip serving as its president and the supreme commander of the Kuki National Army. Anton Kuki holds the position of Home Secretary within the organisation. The late Brigadier Vipin Haokip was the first Chief of Army Staff of the Kuki National Army, succeeded by Colonel S Robert in January 2005.[10]

The leadership of the Kuki National Organisation includes various cabinet members such as Khaikholun, Lalminthang Vaiphei, SNG Haokip, Amitabh TS Haokip, Zale’n Kuki, Joshua Haokip, Th. German Haokip, David Thangboi, Kamkhenpao Zou, Thangboi Karong, and Thangsang Hmar. Each member holds a specific portfolio ranging from public relations to medical affairs.[10]

Objectives

The primary objective of the organisation is to advocate for the rights and recognition of the Kuki people. They seek the resurrection of Zale’n-gam, the traditional homeland of the Kukis, which spans across parts of northeast India and northwest Myanmar. The organisation aims to achieve recognition of Zale’n-gam's territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well as the possibility of statehood within India and Myanmar.[10]

Armed groups

The Kuki National Organisation operates primarily in the mountainous districts of Manipur, India, and adjoining areas in Assam, as well as in the Kabaw valley of Myanmar. The Kuki National Army, the armed wing of the organisation engaged in guerrilla warfare against the military junta in Myanmar between 1991 and 1999.[10]

While the principal armed wing of the KNO is the Kuki National Army, it has since been joined by numerous other armed groups including:[2][11]

  1. Hmar National Army [HNA], led by L.S. Lungtau and Thang song Hmar[12]
  2. Kuki National Front (Military Council) [KNF–MC], led by Th. German Haokip
  3. Kuki National Front (Zogam) [KNF–Zogam], led by Joshua Haokip
  4. Kuki National Front (Samuel) led by T. Samuel Haokip[13]
  5. Kuki Liberation Army (Manipur) [KLA] led by Khaikam Wilson Touthang
  6. Kuki Liberation Army (Assam) [KLA]
  7. Kuki Liberation Army/Kuki Liberation Organisation led by Timothy Khongsai
  8. Kuki Revolutionary Army (Unification) [KRA–Unification]
  9. Kuki Revolutionary Army [KRA] led by David Hangshing
  10. Pakan Reunification Army, led by Zecky Anal
  11. United Konrem Revolutionary Army [UKRA], led by Thangboi Karong
  12. United Old Kuki Liberation Army (United Minority Liberation Army) led by K. Khaling
  13. United Socialist Revolutionary Army [USRA], led by Lalminthang Vaiphei
  14. Zou Defence Volunteer (Pakap), led by Pakap Anthony and Kamkhenpao Zou
  15. Zomi Revolutionary Front [ZRF], led by P.S. Hangshing and David Thangboi

Three of these groups were earlier under the United People's Front. They switched to KNO in October 2010.[11]

Negotiations and external associations

The Kuki National Organisation has pursued both peaceful negotiations and armed struggle to achieve its objectives. In India, they have submitted memoranda to various government officials since 1995, appealing for recognition and statehood. In Myanmar, they have engaged in violent conflict against the military junta.[10]

The KNO maintains strategic associations with organisations such as the Kachin Independence Organisation, National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang), Democratic Alliance of Burma, and various ethnic groups within Burma.[10]

Incidents and activities

The KNO/KNA has been involved in various incidents, including clashes with rival militant groups, encounters with security forces, and instances of violence against civilians. The organisation has faced challenges and confrontations in its pursuit of Kuki rights and statehood.

Publications and support

The group has published several books authored by its president, P.S. Haokip, addressing Kuki history, customs, and ideology.

References

  1. ^ "Kuki National Organization (Burma)". BNI Myanmar Peace Monitor. 18 March 2014. Archived from the original on 15 October 2018.
  2. ^ a b Sekholal Kom, Militancy and Negotiations (2011), p. 81.
  3. ^ Sekholal Kom, Militancy and Negotiations (2011), pp. 77–78.
  4. ^ Seikhogin Haokip, Genesis of Kuki Autonomy Movement (2012), pp. 67–68.
  5. ^ Thongkholal Haokip, Home and Belonging in Northeast India (2023), pp. 150–151.
  6. ^ Thongkholal Haokip, Home and Belonging in Northeast India (2023), p. 152.
  7. ^ Nehginpao Kipgen, Ethnic Conflict in India (2011), p. 1050.
  8. ^ Yambem Laba, The search for Kukiland, Imphal Free Press, 16 December 2012. ProQuest 1238765740
  9. ^ a b c d e f "The Kuki National Organisation". Zou Gam. September 1, 2007. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  10. ^ a b Letkhosei Haokip, Ethnicity and Insurgency in Myanmar/Burma (2018), pp. 137–138.
  11. ^ KNO extends felicitations, The Sangai Express, via e-pao.net, 20 March 2025.
  12. ^ KNO welcomes KNF (Samuel), The Sangai Express, via e-pao.net, 13 August 2010.

Bibliography

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