By: Thangjalun

Pro democracy organizations from different nationalities remember the 2nd anniversary of Saffron Revolution by organizing mass protest demonstration in Indian capital New Delhi. The program was organized by Burmese monks.

The protesters numbering about 150 march through Jantar Mantar and stop near Parliament street blocking traffic for an hour by gathering on the street and different organization leaders deliver a short speech.

The protester also burnt the effigy of General Than Shwe by shouting anti Military slogans like down down military, free free Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners, we shall fight we shall win, No No New election No etc.

Against the Kuki Ethnic People

New Delhi; July 23, 2009

Combined Democratic Organisations of the Exiled Kukis in New Delhi, India.

On 15^th July, 2009, the local military authority at Tamu town had gathered all the Se-aing-mus (heads of ten households) of Sawbua – 7 locality, Tamu town at the residence of U Aung Than, Ya-aing-mu (Head of a hundred households), threatened and forced upon them to sign on a paper that states, “we are not Kukis but Thadou Chins”.

This racial discrimination, comparatively harsher, meted out upon the Kukis throws light on the Burmese regime’s unwillingness to fulfill its promise made to the UN Security Council at the latter’s 6161^st meeting on July 13, 2009. Imposition of a false identity upon the Kukis measures the severity of the regime’s cruelty and exclusive strategy. Adoption of this policy of systematic annihilation poses serious threat to the very survival and existence of the Kuki people as a human race on earth.

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The fact is, the Kukis have been living in the land they are today since even before the formation of the present Union of Burma. Until the advent of British colonial rule, they were a sovereign people in their ancestral land and did not pay tribute to or serve any other government or people. The historic Anglo-Kuki War of 1917-1919 proves their existence as distinct ethnic people.

Attempts to destroy the past and the future Kuki history by the successive regimes of Burma are enumerated here under:

i) The Kukis were sidelined in the Pang Long Agreement 1947,

ii) In the name of Khadawmi Operation 1967, more than 20,000 Kukis had been driven out of their ancestral land.

iii) In the name of Border Area Development Project, a number of Burman settlements have been established in the Kuki areas.

iv) Forced labour remains a daily chore in the Kuki areas.

v) The regime by giving safe haven to armed groups belonging to different ethnics in the Kuki areas creates antagonism between them.

vi) The regime creates disunity among the Kukis by making Thadou, Khongsai or Kuki as options for their official identity.

Now, instead of fulfilling its own promise and the UN Security Council’s repeated requests – release of all political prisoners including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, initiate genuine dialogue and establish peaceful atmosphere for the 2010 general election – the regime keeps its unconcerned policy towards the minority ethnics remains unchanged and it further creates atmosphere of fear.

This is clearly a mockery to UN Secretary General’s Burma visit during 3-4^th July 2009, the Security Council’s consideration on Burma in its 6161^st meeting. It also shows non-abiding by the words of Head of the military, General Than Swe to Mr Ban Kim Moon and UN permanent representative, U Than Swe to the Security Council.

We the exiled Kuki political organization in New Delhi therefore condemn military regime of Burma’s continued policy of racial discrimination and declare our opposition to the plan for 2010 general election which outcome would only legitimize regime’s authority.

Reported by: Sasat

New Delhi; July 23, 2009: Combined Democratic Organisations of the Exiled Kukis in New Delhi rallied today at Jantar Mantar over the military junta of Burma’s continued racial discrimination against the Kukis. The rallied that began at 11:50 am lasted for an hour.

Over 60 people belonging exiled ethnic nationalities across Burma participated in the protest. While chanting for the immediate fall of the regime, the slogans also demanded international communities’ support for protection of the rights of minoritized and marginalized Kukis.

After 30 minutes of rallying and chanting slogans, the participants converged at the road side for a short programme which was moderated by Ng Esther Hoinu.

As usual, Gl. Seigin led the tri-salutes – honouring the nation, paying homage to those who laid down their life for restoration of democracy in Burma and to all the past Kuki warriors.

In his introductory speech, Pu Letlam stated that imposition to accept a false identity upon an ethnic minority is indeed a very humiliating treatment. “No any race on earth I ever knew have been subjected to racial humiliation of this kind”, rued Pu Letlam. Since the coming 2010 general election, according to him, is but a ploy to consolidate last year’s referendum, he fervently appealed everyone to totally oppose it.

Statement of the protest rally was read out in two languages – English and Burmese. While Ng.Nemhoilhing read the English version, Ng.Chochong read the Burmese one.

Other speakers included U Balah from Free Trade Union of Burma, Rev. Pin Nya Thawarah, a Buddist monk from the Golden Yellow Monastry and Ko Kyaw Than, president of All Burma Students’ League (ABSL). They all condemned the military junta for meddling with the Kuki identity and for the unjustifiable dictated terms upon the minority Kukis.

Ko Kyaw Than stressed the need for introspection as to whether our words match our deeds. “We need to excel the military generals in terms of discipline, performance and sacrifice for the cause we speak to fight for. Rendering only lip service without concrete action would lead us no where near our wishes,” stated Ko Kyaw Than.

At the end of all the speeches, secretary of the Kuki Students’ Democratic Front delivered his vote of thanks to all the speakers and participants. He also appealed for lending continued support to one another in times of great needs such as this.

The brief road side gathering was concluded with chanting of slogans. After it was declared ended, all the supporting participants were served cold drinks. All then boarded the hired bus and returned to Vikaspuri and Janakpuri localities.

Vanue: KSDF’s Office, Budella Market, Vikaspuri, New Delhi

Date: 12^th December, 2008

Time: 11:30 am

Moderator: Mah Lhingboi & Mah Chochong

The Functional Presidents:

1)      Dr Tin Swe, MP from Pearl district, Sagaing division

2)      U Tha Noe, MP from Arakan state

3)      Dr Zaw Win Aung, National Coalition Government of Union of Burma (NCGUB)

4)      U Pyingya Tirih, a Monk

5)      U Pyingya Zawtah, a Monk

6)      U Letlam, Kuki Peoples’ Congress (KPC)

Mah Lhingboi, announcing the programme declared it open. Mah Chochong then called upon the functional presidents to take the front seats meant for them. Meanwhile, the audience remained standing in honour of them.

Sayamah Chingnu Tedim was then called upon to say the opening prayer, which was followed by speeches from the invitees.

Ko Seigin then led the Tri-salute in honour and remembrance of:

a) The National flag;

b) The father of the Nation, General Aung San and the martyrs of freedom; and

c) The late Kuki nationalists.

Speech from Pu Letlam, KPC:

Welcoming the audience with open arms, he said “the KSDF attributes its achievement in 15 years to the whole Burmese fighters” and added “we are just a corner stone for the Burmese national movement for change”. He expressed the non-accommodative structure of the state-craft which at present recognizes only eight ethnic nationalities.  This according to him alienates and makes the Kukis feel like outsiders. “Irrespective of the size of population or territory we control, the Kukis deserve their rights protected and this is the main demand of the KSDF” he asserted.

To him, an ethnic nationality that has lost the collective right is likely to eventually loose everything. “The condition” he said, “also provides tendency to assimilate such minority group into the majority group.” However, citing example of the Kukis of Manipur where Thadou is almost synonymous with Kuki, he cautioned the majority Burmans saying, “it can also be the other way round”. He meant to say that Burma, to be a true multinational state, should not limit the recognition of ethnic nationalities to just eight.

“Each time the Chin National Front (CNF) came to mobilize the Kukis under the Chin”, he said “my reply always is, we need to first fight for the regime change and discuss our issue later.” He also said that he went to the CNF’s head quarter where he briefed them how we have been living as different ethnic nationalities of Burma since before independence. “However,” he said, “unless there is mutual benefit for both the parties to enter into an agreement to be under a unified nomenclature, it is unthinkable to take a step towards it”.

He further added, “We do not, at the moment, completely ruled out for unification as we are also aware of our ethnic closeness.” He appealed to the Chin leaders to re-examine and refrain from secretly politicking against the Kukis as such acts will only antagonize us.

To the other ethnic politicians, he appealed to give justice the first place and stand by it irrespective of what other people have to say about it. He said, “at times, I see some people distancing from me because I uphold justice.” He also opines the need to reform and correct the unjustifiable means in the fight for justice. He believes that leaving our home territory, which in fact is a loss, can be made advantageous.”

With regard to the KSDF, he said, “I express my appreciation to the young members for their cooperation which uplifts the KSDF to the present level”. He did not fail to remind the members that the organizational goal set at the time of founding has yet to be achieved.

In conclusion, he said “since no organization can alone meet the challenge posed by the military regime, we need to join hands with other organizations.”

Then, Mah Hoinu was called upon to read the “Raising Day Statement” in Burmese.

Dr Tin Swe, MP from Pearl district, Sagaing Division.

He began when he said, “NLD is just three and half years older than the KSDF”. “18^th December too is memorable for me” he continued, “because it was one of the days in 1990 during which I left Burma and was on my way to India via Chin Hills.” He also narrated how all the Burmese community, during the initial days of arrival in India, knew each other well by names.

He cheered the KSDF for its 15 year long existence when he said, “Many of the erstwhile organizations formed have ceased to continue because they cannot withstand the hardship” and added, “and so, we had to update the names of the organizations then.”

He also stressed the need for giving the youth the best training on job to be able to shoulder with ease the task of the organization. He also said that we need to first identify and mobilize those who take interest in politics.

He does not believe that democracy can be restored by efforts of the NLD or the Burmans alone but by the collective efforts of all the people of Burma. Twenty years of exile, according to him, is not a short span of time. Underscoring the need to use all available techniques and strategies, he concluded his speech.

U Pyinyazawta, a monk:

Echoing the same lines of speech by Dr Tin Swe, U Pe Ngya Yawtah also stressed the need to give the required training to the young people. He also encouraged the older generation renew their spirit, to be undaunted and feel energetic. The most important thing, according to him is, never to forget the goal.

He said, “It appears to foreigners that our movement is slowly dying and that they began to voice the need to revive our fighting spirit.” He concluded saying, “Let us boost our confidence because we are not a loser as long as we do not give up the fight.”

U  Tha Noe, MP from Arakan League for Democracy:

He first thanked all the audience for attending the raising day celebration and said, “It is, in fact, a privilege to learn more about the history of the Kukis and the KSDF each time we attend their programme.” He also admired the spirit of courage and unity shown by the KSDF.

While the Burmese people are craving for getting resettlement in foreign land, he said, “We should not forget that in Burma, we see the Indians, the Chinese and the westerners who have come for business.” Here, he meant to say that Burma offers not less opportunity for prosperity than foreign lands.

He reminded that we come here not because we do not want to live in our country but because we cannot live in our country and advised all who were present to get set for returning home as soon as democracy is restored.

He said, “Our responsibilities are, to work for the peace in our family, our village, our town, our country and the world.” To him, a politician should be one who mobilizes. For realization of our goal, he said, “We should have alternative policies and strategies to achieve our goal: If the roadway fails, we should go by the railway; if the railway fails, the water way and if water way fails, then the airway.”

Encouraging the audience, he concluded when he said “We should not loose heart whatever storm befalls us. In 1990 general election, only 10 of the military candidates got elected. This is truly a victory over the military regime. Though our past attempts have failed, we should continue to fight.”

Ko Maung Lu Gri from Arakan National Council:

Taking his time, he said “Before 1988, nationalism was invisible in the people.” In spite of our common objective, he said “Disunity remains the greatest hurdle in the struggle for regime change.” He also lamented that here in New Delhi, out of more than 3000 (three thousand) people, only 40 or 50 of us get actively involved in the struggle. To garner greater strength, he stressed the need to inculcate nationalism among the people here. “Whatever, let us not give up” he said and concluded.

The KSDF members presented a group song called “Raising Day”.

Saya Zen  Tedim from Burmese Christian Association (BCA):

“Thanks for the given privilege” he opened his speech. “Listening the group song, he said, “Those lines in the song ‘Raising Day’ in Thadou are themselves vindicates the brotherhood of the Zomis and the Kukis for it (the song) was almost like in Tiddim version” he continued, “Again, if the words of Pu Letlam were to be given analytical review word by word, it could mean more than the expression”. Felt moved by what Pu Letlam had said of the Chin leaders acting against the Kukis, he started to sob and, therefore had to pause his speech. He also expressed his desire to have another meaningful talk between the two communities for building cordial relation.

Impressed by the unity and coordination in the KSDF, he said, “I can boldly say that the Kukis are one of the best well organized people among the Burmese community.”

Dr. Zaw Win Aung from Federation of Trade Union-Burma:

“Organizations formed and vanished here in Delhi. However, the KSDF proves stronger and stronger with each passing year” he said and added, “I do also get really impressed to see that the Kukis participate in every rally, demonstration, workshop, training, campaign, etc.”

Saying, “Being in exile, living in the foreign land, feeling inferior and coveting the lifestyles of the citizens, I am more conscious of the onus to work harder for regime change so that we live peaceful lives in Burma too” and he concluded.

Vote of thanks from Ko Khupmang: 

I thank all the functional presidents, who have laid aside their valuable times to attend here and made encouraging speeches as functional presidents. I also express our heartfelt thanks to all the other comrades from different organizations. Last but not the least, I express a lot of thanks to Pi Kakang for preparing the tea and snack.

With the end of speeches, the Raising Day celebration was declared over. Then, the moderator, Mah Lhingboi, requesting the audience to stand in honor of the functional presidents, asked the latter to leave their seats. Everyone was asked to join the tea-and-snack time.

By: Thangjalun

Delhi, 17th Nov: Today All Burma Students League (ABSL) Commemorate the 69th Anniversary of International Students Day in New Delhi BCRC (Burmese Community Resources Center) Hall. The Program was attended by different organizations and community including monks. Many Student leaders delivered a short speech in the program.

It was on this day November 17th 1939 students resistance in the streets of Prague against Nazi occupation inspired the establishment of an anti-Nazi students coalition. In 1941 November 17th was declared International Students Day by the International Students Council in London.

By: Thangjalun 

New Delhi, 13th Nov 08: Burmese Pro Democracy activists in India welcome the Military Junta’s Prime Minister Gen. Thein Sein of Burma by protesting, shouting anti-military slogans and burning effigy. The protesters march through the streets of Janta Mantar shouting slogans- “Go back butcher Thein Sein”, “Down with mlitary rule”, “Long Live 8888 Student leaders”, “Long Live Aung San Suu Kyi”, “We shall fight- we shall win”, etc. and blocking traffic for some minutes.

Myanmar Prime Minister General Thein Sein is attending the 2nd Summit on the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) today in New Delhi.

…

By Thangjalun

New Delhi, 8th Aug: Over 200 pro democracy activists in New Delhi March through the busy streets of Jantar Mantar upto parliament street causing traffic jam for few minutes to commemorate the 20th anniversary of 8888 peoples uprising in Burma.

 The mass rally was organized by NLD/LA (National League for Democracy/ Liberated Area) Delhi branch and joined by different organizations from different community.

Organized by: KSDF, CWO and SGM

New Delhi: 5th June 2008

_ reported by Thangjalun

_ reported by Thangjalun

_ reported by Thangjalun

The Kuki People Completely Reject

The military regime of Burma’s plan for a Sham Plebiscite by May 2008.

1^st March 2008, New Delhi.

The Kukis People of Burma express our outmost condemnation to the military regime of Burma’s decades old unjust and inhuman intervention in the lives of the people of Burma. We therefore completely reject the regime’s plan to hold a fraudulent plebiscite by May 2008 by giving the summary history of the military regime’s anti-people governance.

1. The military regime under the name ‘State Law and Order Restoration Council’ (SLORC), to contain the nation wide mass uprising for democracy, held the general election in May 1990 (18 years ago). Instead of handing authority over, according to law, to the National League for Democracy, that gained a landslide victory, the party leader, Ms Aung San Suu Kyi was put under house arrest and has continued to be been held in that manner. Other MP’s have been tortured, killed, imprisoned or forced into exile.

These acts by SLORC are contemptuous violations of universal human rights and insult the principle of governance of which India is the largest example, that of democracy.

2. Those elected as Members of Parliament in the 1990 general election were forced to sign and endorse the pro-military constitution drafted in 1993 by the SLORC. This made a mockery of democracy.

3. Following the 1990 general election, the SLORC (now called SPDC – State Peace and Development Council) had, in a ploy to first outnumber and then Burmanise by assimilation the minority ethnic Kukis, set up immigrant settlements – for example Sayasan, Tanyoshin, Bandulah, Awngzeyah, Yanngyinawng, Yantaingawng, villages – in the latter’s areas by transmigration from the cities’ slums. The local Kukis were not only forced to provide materials required for the houses but also made to construct them without any payment, in other words by forced labour.

The same policy has been equally implemented in all the ethnic minority regions across Burma. Such action is now in transgression of the 7^th September 2007‘s United Nations Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

4. The military regime which usurped power from the Parliament in 1962, and was discarded by the people in the 1990 general election, attempted over the years, notably in 1962, 1988 and 2007, to suppress and annihilate the movement for restoration of democracy by massacring hundreds of thousands of people – students, religious leaders (Buddhist, Christian & Muslim), elected MPs ethnic leaders, civilians including women and children.

In the absence of the peoples’ mandate, the regime has not the legitimate right to hold dialogue with Ms Aung San Suukyi and ethnic leaders. It does not deserve to be recognized as the legitimate government by the people within and outside Burma, or by nations and governments of the world.

5. Since 1990, the regime has, year after year, made never-to-be implemented promises for peaceful transformation to democracy. Of the seven road maps laid out in 2003, even the first step has not yet been fulfilled.

6. That the proposed referendum by May 2008 is nothing more than another ploy to legitimize, sustain and consolidate the regime’s rule and authority.

Only under UN monitoring and with full cooperation from our giant neighbours – India and China – can there be a free and fair plebiscite or election in Burma.

Given this past experience, there is not an iota of truth in the regime’s promises. The regime, the so called ‘State Peace and Restoration Council’ is responsible for decades of political turbulence, and for leading the state from prosperity to being the poorest nation in Southeast Asia.

The regime must surrender power and authority to the rightful custodian, the Peoples’ Parliament, and to be held to account for all the crimes it has committed during its reign.

WE, the Kuki people of Burma, fervently appeal for India’s responsible and urgent intervention as the largest democratic nation on earth, to stand against the military regime’s plan for a fraudulent plebiscite.

In service to the Kuki Peoples of Burma.

1. Kuki Peoples’ Congress (KPC)

2. Kuki Students’ Democratic Front (KSDF)

3. Kuki Women’s Human Rights Organisation. (KWHRO)

By: Lulun

Thangjalun

Thangjalun

The 69th anniversary of Bo Aung Kyaw Day is commemorate and organized in New Delhi by All Burma Students League (ABSL), Kuki Students Democratic Front (KSDF) and National League for Democracy/Liberated Area (NLD/LA) Youth.

Thangjalun

Thangjalun