Kuki Inpi Assam Welcomes MoS Signatories
Hills Live News Desk
Haflong, March 17: The Kuki Inpi Assam (KIA), apex body of the Kuki tribe, warmly welcomed signatories of the Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) with Kuki Suspension of Operations (SoO) groups at Ngullam Guite Memorial Hall, Sompijang village near Haflong, Dima Hasao.
The MoS, signed March 15 in Guwahati by Additional Chief Secretary Ajay Tewari (on behalf of Assam government) and representatives of United Kukigam Defence Army (UKDA), Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA), Kuki Liberation Organisation (KLO), and Hmar People’s Convention-Democratic (HPC-D), was witnessed by Minister Ranoj Pegu. All SoO members laid down arms in 2012.
Key provisions:
- Formation of Kuki Welfare Development Council and Hmar Welfare Development Council in Kuki/Hmar areas (mainly Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao, Cachar), headquartered in Guwahati.
- Budgets prepared per needs, submitted to Transformation and Development Department.
- Rehabilitation for surrendered militants; ex-gratia for conflict-affected families.
- Each council: 20 members (chairman, deputy chairman, chief executive, executive members; 4 nominated by government).
KIA information secretary Satmingthang Khongsai called it a “Red Letter Day.” Councils will start with interim members, hold elections later, and prioritize roads, education in 150+ Kuki villages. He praised CM Himanta Biswa Sarma’s government for fulfilling long-pending indigenous Kuki demands.