KIF remembers victims of 1967 "Khadawmi Operation"

The Office of the Kuki International Forum, based in the United States of America, remembers the victims of the infamous 1967 “Khadawmi Operation” on its 36th anniversary. Talking to the media at his residence, the Forum’s president recalled the hardships and untold miseries faced by his people at the hands of the Burmese regime. A spate of heinous crimes was unleashed upon the innocent Kuki people in their land by the then Revolutionary Council Government of Burma under Newin's leadership. Ever since that year, November 18 has been observed as a day to remember the victims and to consolidate the Kukis' demand for justice.

The president narrating the episode to the media said, “A total of about 40 Kuki villages with a population of more than 20,000 (twenty thousand) people were uprooted from their hearths, villages and lands in that particular operation. Some of the uprooted villages were Napalang, Kongkan, Bollen, Tongmana, Tuidim, Wetsophai, Nunkam,Tuijangphai and et al. The dastard inhuman crime dictated that no one should be allowed to carry his or her belongings, except what they worn to cover their pathetic bodies. The wailing sounds of few handicaps and old weaklings who were left to face their death destiny and domestic fowls and cattle echoed the entire region. Parents and siblings, husbands and wives, and near and dear ones were separated. Taking advantage of the Burmese government's gruesome acts, the uprooted Kuki villages chiefs were murdered by the Tangkhul Naga home guards at Nampisa (Manipur, India), which was a violation of human rights. It was just before harvest time that the crook found peace to punish the innocent and harmless citizen who in their helplessness had to leave their ripened corns and paddy fields. The Kukis’ hard toil of a year sweats and tears were bruised, robbed, and raped unethically by the Burman Government. It was pitiful that even the then government of Manipur did not render helps to the hapless Kukis. The evicted Kuki villagers had to survive by collecting paddies during at nights. If they were happened to be arrested by the Burmese police, they were meted with all sorts of torture. The memory of this tragic event will continue to rein the hearts and minds of the Kukis forever. In the deserted villages, ethnic Burman slum dwellers were brought in and thereby, all properties were happily distributed among the new intruders."

The Forum appeals to all peace loving citizen of this world to condemn these horrendous punitive deeds of Burman Government upon the Kuki people and calls international communities to intervene for the rightful rehabilitation of the Kuki in their land. The president went on to say that till today, these victims have not been rehabilitated yet. The successive governments of Burma have been turning deaf ears to the several appeals and demands made by Kuki bodies including national and international organizations. It may be recalled that the Burman government continue to marginalize the Kuki population by forcing them to comply with the former’s directives. However, till very recently, the Kuki population in the Burman populated areas in Sagaing Division came to realize their true identity and their perennial homeland.

Noting all these facts, the Kuki International Forum urges the present Burman Government to stop playing double standard political games to hide its evil deeds among international communities, instead resolve to find amicable and lasting solutions to the Kukis of Burma, particularly in the Upper Sagaing Division. It may be mentioned here that the Kuki of today are scattered in three countries - Bangladesh, Burma and India after they were colonized by the British colonialist regime. In this regard, one can find more information on the Kukis by visiting the Kuki International Forum website at http://www.kukiforum.com.