Approximate extension of the area traditionally inhabited by the Kuki people.

Zale'n-gam or Zalengam (Thadou-Kuki) dialect for 'land of freedom'), is a proposed state by Kuki people, with the intention of uniting all the Kuki tribes under a single government. The proposed state's main proponents are the Kuki National Organisation and its armed wing, the Kuki National Army.[1]

Name

Zale'n-gam was first proposed by PS Haokip in his book by same name published in 1988. The book has caused discomfort and often increased the rivalry with other communities living in Manipur especially the Nagas with whom Kuki had contested territories and historical rivalry. In the wake of the 2023 Manipur violence between the Meiteis and the Kukis in Manipur, the book gain attention leading to NCSN-IM to issue statement against the claims mentioned in the book.[2]

Territory and people

The territorial claims of Zale'n-gam encompass a historical region consisting of the territories traditionally inhabited by the Kukis, but which never have had their own state,[3] including:

There is also a proposal to create two subdivisions of the proposed state: 'Eastern Zalengam' and 'Western Zalengam', the former within Burma and the latter in India.[1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Kuki National Army, Manipur". www.satp.org. Archived from the original on 2021-01-26. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  2. ↑ THE MYTH OF ZALENGAM (KUKILAND) IN NAGA ANCESTRAL LAND: NSCN-IM, Nagalim Voice, July–August 2023. via Mokokchung Times.
  3. ↑ "The Kuki Zale'n-gam". Archived from the original on 2014-10-06. Retrieved 2014-09-29.
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