Mokokchung, 19 September (MTNews): The National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) has issued a response to K Therie’s recent statement concerning the controversial demand for separate administration by the Kuki-Zo community in Manipur. In its statement, NSCN-IM emphasized the need to consider the broader geopolitical context in Manipur and reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Naga territory.
K Therie’s remarks have drawn criticism from NSCN-IM, with the latter characterizing them as “not surprising as he is a person who always found himself the odd man out.” The NSCN-IM also expressed concerns about Therie’s “poor knowledge of the geopolitical issue in Manipur.”
Highlighting the sensitivity of the issue, NSCN-IM clarified that it has refrained from direct involvement, except for reiterating its unwavering stance that “not even an inch of Naga territory should be touched in the name of geopolitical arrangement for the Kuki-Zo community in Manipur.”
NSCN-IM likened Therie’s advocacy for the Kuki-Zo community’s separate administration to a “voice crying in the wilderness.” The organization urged Therie to view the Kuki-Zo demand within the larger context of Naga’s geopolitical issue and not from the Kuki-Zo geopolitical perspective.
Furthermore, NSCN-IM pointed out that Therie has lost the representative status of his people consecutively, rendering his voice irrelevant on any issues. It advised Therie to exercise caution and restraint, especially when commenting on complex ethnic issues like the Meitie-Kuki-Zo ethnic issue, suggesting that he should refrain from making statements beyond his capacity to address adequately.