I am deeply grieved that in the land where we have settled for years through our fore fathers age, we are denied the opportunity of enjoying the benefits of a full-fledged district, the promises of which is a 40 year long pending agenda with the state government.

Every time a new government is being formed, it comes with the promises of a full-fledged Sadar Hills, the hope of which has been used to appease us. However, it all turned out to be false promises, a shadow that refused to materialize.

Our forefathers had actively taken part in the consolidation of Manipur Kingdom as well as in the Indian freedom struggle. But in this democratic country, the best that the residents of Sadar Hills can do is to be silent spectators while other enjoys the development packages to the fullest.
It is the decision of all hunger strikers not to give up until our request is fulfilled. It is our humble prayer that all right thinking citizens should empathize with us and support our cause.

The questions ringing in our mind are:
1. When will the Sadar Hills be inaugurated as a full-fledged district?
2. When will we enjoy the service of ADC and SP?
3. When will we be relieved of the burden of this yoke of indecision?
It is a matter of shame that the 40 year old struggle in demand for up gradation of Sadar Hill`s into a full-fledged district is enough to bear fruit as concrete as the formation of Gorkhaland in West-Bengal. Besides, many peace-loving organisations have begun to show ugly faces, beginning to turn the matter sour.

Any peace-loving son of Manipur seriously digging her history would be aware that the Kukis had served as officials in the court of Manipur kings,thus participating in the establishment of the Manipur kingdom.It is to be noted that the Kukis Rebellion of 1917-1919 was a rebellion against the British in the course of the Indian freedom struggle.To term such a people as refugees is nothing but act of sheer ignorance and should kindly be avoided in future.

Above all,it is sad that some still can`t understand that the demand for a full-fledge Sadar Hill`s district is not meant for the Kukis only,but for all communities living within its jurisdiction.A particular community forming a little majority of the population doesn`t make them its owner,just as the Meiteis forming a majority in valley does nnot make them any more its owners than the Nagas and the Kukis.Manipur belongs to all who treads and toils her soil.

(HAOKAM KIPGEN)
Social Worker and One of the Volunteer on fast unto death