HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF KUKI CHIN INSURGENCIES OF INDO-MYANMAR/BURMA

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International Journal in Management and Social Science (Impact Factor- 6.178)

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF KUKI-CHIN INSURGENCIES OF INDO-MYANMAR/BURMA.

- T.S Letkhosei Haokip -

Research Scholar,

OPJS University (Rajasthan).

Introduction:

Myanmar formerly known as Burma lies between longitudes of 920 and 1020 east of Greenwich and latitudes 100 and 280 north. Its area is about 230,800 square miles, more or less than that of Spain, having a population of about 48 million of which the Burmese or ethnic Burmans constitute around 68 per cent of the total population and the rest comprised of ethnic minorities including Chinese, Pakistanis and Indians. Geographically, Myanmar/ Burma is divided into 7 divisions and 7 states.

Ethnic Burmans are mainly Buddhist by faith, occupying the plain areas or divisions of the country whereas the surrounding mountainous regions or states are inhabited by minority ethnic nationals who are mostly Christians and Animists. Prior to Burma independence in 1948, movement for independence by ethnic nationalities has taken its root.

Abstract:

To understand the political movement, we must know the historical background and origin of the nationality. Prior to Burma’s independence, U Nu the then Prime Minister of free Burma, called a convention of all ethnic nationalities at Panglong on 12 February 1947 and ‘Panglong Agreement’ was signed by the Chins, the Shans, the Kachins and the Burmans to stay together under the ‘Union of Burma’ as federal states with equal rights and status. However, the political scenario of free Burma in reality after independence was not at all like, as agreed before.

Dissatisfied with the aristocracy and high-handedness of ethnic Burmans, minority ethnic nationalities took up arms one after the other to fight either for the restoration of democracy or independence. In the midst of so many ethnic minority nationals, the article here refers to the origin and historical background of Kuki-Chins and Karen insurgent groups, such as CNA/CNF, KNO/UPF and KNU/KNDO.

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Burmans or Myanmarese constitute around 68 percent of the total population. They occupy mainly the plain areas of the country, whereas the minorities such as the Karens, the Shans, the Kachins, the Mons, the Rakhines, the Rohingyas, the Kayahs, the Chins, the Poahs, the Lahus and the 'Was’ inhabit the surrounding mountainous region of the country. The Karens are the largest ethnic group constituting 9 percent, the Mons, the Chins and the Kachins 1 percent each, and the rest inclusive of the Kukis and the Naga ethnic tribals less than 1 percent each. There are also a number of Indians, Chinese and Pakistanis constituting about 2 percent, 3 percent and 4 percent respectively of the total population. Christians constitute about 4 percent of which 3 percent is Baptist and 1 percent Roman Catholic. Ethnic minorities other than the above constitute 3 percent and Buddhists constitute about 75 percentage.

In 1948, Burma or Myanmar attained independence from the British colonialism as war torn but potentially rich country, with one major problem. The major problem inherited by the independent Burma from the British colonialism is the question of how to deal with the numerous ethnic minorities. It has remained with Burma or Myanmar ever since. The continuing inability of the various Burmese governments to recognize the rights of the minorities has led to a spiraling chain of other problems, including widespread armed insurgency and civil war. The prolonged unsolved problems of the minorities widen the gap between the ethnic Burmans and the minorities psychologically and emotionally, thereby shaking the political integrity of Myanmar every now and then. This nationality problem of the minorities has resulted in the mushrooming of numerous ethnic insurgency armies involved in eternal war with the Burman dominated `Tatmadaw'.

Background and Origin of Karen Insurgency:

In the context of Myanmar, historically Christian ethnic minorities were favoured by the British colonial administration. All key posts were given to these minorities. Comparing to other ethnic minorities, the Karens were highly educated and advanced, their number exceptionally large constituting about 22 percent of the total Myanmarese population. The Karens were loyal and considered 'Stepson’ of the British by the Burmans because of their close ties with the British. Karens called the American missionaries as `Mother' and the British Government, `Father'. They inhabit the south-eastern part of Myanmar bordering Thailand. 50 percent of the Karen population lived in Thailand.

Karen insurgency can be traced back during the last part of the British-Burma, when the chief of the Army staff of Burma/Myanmar was a Karen National who was sub-ordinated by Col. Dalzakam of Chin Hills and Col. Hrangtheu of Falam, Chin Hills. Col. Lianchinzam of Tedim, Chin Hills was the incharge of all Arms & Ammunitions of Burma / Myanmar at that time. In 1948, when Burma /Myanmar got independence from the British colonial, the administration of free Burma was in chaos because all the ethnic nationals were preparing to severe their ties with proper Burma, and were in the opinion to declare Independence for themselves. U Nu, the then Prime Minister of free Burma called a `convention' at Panglong on 12 February 1947 and Panglong Agreement, was signed by the Chins, the Shans, the Kachins and the Burmans to stay together under the Union of Burma. The Karens and the Mons were out of the agreement.

In the year 1948, seven ethnic nationals such as the Chins, the Karens, the Kachins, the Shans, the Kayaks, the Arakans and the Mons broke Panglong Agreement and declared Independence, leaving only the seven divisions of Burma: (1) Rangoon (now Yangoon) (2) Irrawaddy (3) Tenesserim (4) Pegu (5) Magwe (6) Mandalay (7) Sagaing, under the government and thus the government of the time was called Rangoon Government and not the Government of Union of Burma. This was possible only due to the controlled of all Arms & Ammunitions by the ethnic nationals.

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Sl.No Seven Divisions Seven States Remark(s)

1. Rangoon/ Yangoon Chin State Divisions are occupied by

ethnic Burman and states

inhabited by ethnic minorities

2. Irrawaddy/ Karen state -do- 3. Tenesserim Kachin State -do-

4. Pegu Shan State -do-

5. Magwe Kayah State -do-

6. Mandalay Arakan State -do-

7. Sagaing Mon State -do-

Burmese Strategy towards Ethnic Nationalities:

To win back the support of all the ethnic nationals, U Nu deployed his "Diplomatic Strategy" to over-rule the unity of ethnic nationals. First of all, an ethnic national, Smith Dun was relieved of his command and forced to resign on 31 January 1949, who eventually went into retirement in Myitkyina in the Kachin state. The Air Force Commander, Saw Shi Sho, another Karen was also forced to resign and accordingly Ne Win assumed commander of the Burma Army, who in the following years, built it into a modern Burman Force, the ‘Tatmadaw’. Thus the `Divide and Rule' policy was applied to break the unity of ethnic national leaders and it was accomplished. Secondly in 1963, the Burmese currency was 'demonetized' and all private property nationalized. As such, the ethnic national leaders were badly affected and the network of their unity was paralyzed. Thirdly, Monks, Intellectuals and Military officials were either killed or arrested thereby giving a great setback to the cause of the ethnic nationals. In the year 1995, again the Military Junta instigated the Buddhist `Po Karen' community to oppose the Karen National Union (KNU) stating that KNU was meant only for the "Sakaw Karens" who were Christians by faith. Thus, the `Divide and Rule' policy of the Military Junta was successful and the "Democratic Karen Buddhist Army" (DKBA) was formed to oppose KNU tooth and nail. DKBA was wholely backed by the Military Junta who supplied Arms & Ammunitions to fight KNU".

The case of the Karens and KNU is very much relevant to the present issue of the `Nagas' and NSCN-IM in India context, prior to 1990 before committing large scale atrocities upon innocent Kuki people, killing more than 900 including women, children and elderly people, uprooting 350 villages and rendered 50,000 Kuki people refugees in their own ancestral land.

Origin and Background of Chin Movement:

Historically, Chin Hills was an independent state, until the British colonized the region. It was never a part of the ancient kingdoms of India or Burma. Chins and their related ethnic people Mizo and Kuki have a distinct national identity, though they are separated in Burma and India.

Origin:

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their ill-equipped weapons and lost the battle for not matching with the superior military strength of the latter. Mention may be made of the British Surgeon Major, LeQuense of being awarded the `Victoria Cross' (VC), for his courage in the second Anglo-Chin War of 1888. Having no option Chin rulers have to accept the `Peace Offer' of the British with the condition that "Chins had to pay taxes and provide peaceful passage to the British authorities, and in turn the latter have to give protection to Chin state and its national identity".

The Chin Insurgency and its movement can be mirrored from the soil of India in the state of Manipur in its southern part. The Chin insurgency first erupted in Churachandpur district of Manipur in 1961-62. Tunkhopum Baite from Panglian village, Churachandpur, formed Chin Liberation Army (CLA) and became its president. In 1962, Son Chin Lian (MP) and his party formed the "Chin National Organisation" (CNO), the overground wing of the organization. However, due to ego clashes added by financial and leadership crisis, power changed hands to Thualzen. Both CLA and CNO could not function effectively due to the aforesaid reasons.

In 1963, Zomi Liberation Front (ZLF) was set up to replace CLA, under the aegis and leadership of Tialkhal and Mangkhenpau, who are presently in India and Thailand respectively. ZLF too could not function properly and survived probably due to lack of public support and Chinhill Patronage. ZLF was thus changed into Chin National Front (CNF) with Tialkhal as the President for the second time till 1988-89. During his tenure as the President, Tialkhal and some party members visited erstwhile East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and some parts of the north-eastern India. During the said period, the organization turned out to be like a "Smuggling Syndicate" as accused by some others.

Background:

The Chins are of Mongoloid race and originated from Central China. Longtime back before 19th century, they slowly descended from central China southwards and settled in the region between Chindwin and Irrawaddy rivers of Burma. It is believed that they entered and settled in Chinland around 1000 AD. The Chin language belongs to the Tibeto-Burman group and the Chins have their own Culture and Literature. The Chins were independent nation, having a territory with distinct borders. Although the British declared, after the invasion of 1895, that the entire Chinland fell under their rule, they could not have possibly occupied the entire area of Chinland. It was only in the 20th century that the British were able to bring the whole Chinland under their control.

Without any consultation, the Chin (Kuki-Chin) people were divided into two parts, when Burma Act of 1937 split Burma from British India. The western part of Chinland remained under the British India and the eastern part came under the administration of British Burma. When British India became independent in 1947, again the Kuki-Chin was further divided into India and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).

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Burmese Chauvinistic ideology:

The Barman representatives led by General Aungsan accepted the given points and thereby the `Historic Panglong Agreement' was signed on 12 February 1947. Hereby the Union of Burma emerged as a Sovereign Country into the world. It was agreed that the Union of Burma be built on the principles of `Equal Status, Equal Opportunity and Equal Rights'. However, right from the beginning of the drafting of the Constitution, inequality and discrimination started showing its head. Some part of the Chin State came under `Proper Burma Administration' and thus the Chins were subjected to different administration. These injustices meted to the Chins led to the breakout of Civil War. To control the situation and to bring an amicable solution to the political problem, a conference popularly known as the `Taunggyi Conference' was held from 8-16 June 1961 in Shan State, attended by representatives from the states of Kachin, Kayah, Karen, Chin, Rakhine, Mon and Shan. Unfortunately, in the name of Revolutionary Council, the Burmese military under the leadership of General Ne Win, Coup the government and seized power from popular government, nullifying the efforts of genuine federation which would guarantee peace and, justice. Revolutionary Council stated that they did it so, so as to `Safeguard the Disintegration of the Union of Burma'. The 1947 constitution was thrown away and the country ruled under `Martial Law' for 12 consecutive years.

The Revolutionary Council issued an Announcement No. 74, dated the 5th December, 1968 inviting suggestions from the public in regards to building `Solidarity' among different ethnic nationalities. The Chins overwhelmingly responded with 150 points, related to Equality, Justice and Genuine Federation. However, over 70 Chin intellectuals who have contributed their ideas and suggestions were arrested and jailed, without any trial till a `New Constitution' was adopted in the 1974. The military Elites, forced the Chins, like other nationalities to embrace the so called ‘Constitution of the Union of the Socialist Republic of Burma', a constitution that embodied one party dictatorship on 3 January 1947.

Under this constitution Freedom, Peace and Social Security rights were eliminated. In addition, systematic efforts were made to eliminate Literature, Culture and Tradition of all nationalities other than that of the Burmans, in order to assimilate all other nationalities within the fold of the Burmans. Efforts were also made to spread `Buddhism' by restricting the practices of other religious groups. Due to the Burmese chauvinist dictators struggle for supremacy over other nationalities on the sphere of race, religion and language, the Chins in particular and the whole population in general, are subjected to all kinds of suppression and severe human rights violation and unceasing civil war. That is the reason, why the military dictatorship adopted a `Closed Door Policy' and isolated itself from the rest of the world. Apart from the above policy, large scale corruption and the Burmese way of Socialism made Burma as one of the least developed countries of the world, in spite of its untapped rich natural resources. The nation-wide `Uprising of 8 August 1988' once again threatened to topple down the One Party Dictatorship. The Military Junta also staged a `Coup d' etat ' and again on 18 September 1988 to keep intact their supremacy.

Formation of Chin National Front (CNF):

At the time of Burma independence from the British yoke, the Chins hoped that as per Panglong

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However, the will and determination of all nationalities to establish a genuine federation was destroyed when the military staged a coup on 2 March 1962. As per the invitation of the Military Regime to contribute suggestions for building solidarity among all nationalities, the suggestions put forward by the Chins were not only denied but were subjected to `Mass Arrest, Torture, Persecution and Killing. Therefore, to fight for the cause of the Chins, to topple the chauvinist military dictatorship, to secure national rights and to up light the nation's economic and social conditions, the Chin National Front (CNF) was formed on 20 March 1988, to start its `Political Revolt' against the Military Regime, to restore democracy in Burma.

In 1989-90 `Student Activists' who got special training from Kachin Independent Organisation/Army (KIO/KIA) at Kachin, initiated `Reformation Movement' in the organization. Thus, an Armed Wing CNA, Chin National Army was also set up to operate simultaneously with CNF. John Kho Kim Thang was made the new President of CNF/CNA. At present, the outfit is an Indian based `Myanmar Movement' having its headquarters at Aizawl, Mizoram and Vikas Puri, New Delhi.

Aims and Objectives of CNF:

The aims and objectives of CNF in its revolt against the Military Dictatorship are: (The structure of CNF, (op cit),

1. To establish genuine democracy in Burma by the following: (a) Federal Union based on National States must be built.

(b) The National States' Rights to Secessation must be included in the Federal Constitution.

(c)The Federal Army must be formed with equal strength sent from State Armies. 2. To secure National Self Determination.

3. To build stronger unity among the entire Chin nation and the people of Chinland.

4. To safeguard Peace, Law and Order, Justice and Equality within Chin National territory.

5.To up light the national Political, Economic, Social Status and living standard of the people of Chinland.

It must also be noted that there is changes and amendments in the `Aims and Objectives' of CNF, made in the Party Conference' held in the year 2003, which will be highlighted in the following chapters. As stated earlier, a study of the Chins will never be completed without analyzing the Kukis and vice-versa, as both of them are like both sides of the same coin. They are complimentary to each other. In the continuing paragraphs, the movement of the Kukis for independence is as under.

Background of Kuki Movement:

During the `Kuki Rising 1917-1919', the British colonialist conquered the sovereign ancestral land of the Kuki people and divided it into two parts as India and Burma. During the World War II, Kukis allied with the Japanese Imperial Army and the Indian National Army (INA) in a bid to regain their sovereignty.

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The two great Kuki Chiefs, Chengjapao Doungel of Aisan and Lhukhomang Haokip@ Pache of Chahsat/Chassad, who was also the head of the Haokip Clan, took up the responsibility and initiative for Zale'n-gam. They organized political meetings at regular intervals. With a view to form an alliance against the common enemy, in one of those meetings, feelers were sent to Bengali Militants. Positive response was given. Maj. Gen. D.K. Palit had recorded in his book, "Sentinels of the North East", (Palit,Op,cit); "Bengali Nationalist Organization from Sylhet and Cachar sent emissaries to the Kuki Chiefs of the Southern Clans encouraging them to resist the high handed methods of the British".

Subsequently, meetings after meeting were held, attended secretly by Bengali nationalist Militants. The Kuki chiefs were informed that British Colonialism was deeply resented by various Countries and Kings. In addition, at that time, the Axis powers of Germany, Japan, Austria and many others had agreed to wage war against the British. This had greatly encouraged the Kukis and thereby hectic preparations were made to fight the Mighty British.

Kuki Preparations for War against the Mighty British:

The Kuki chiefs made preparation for war against the mighty British with utmost care and enthusiasm to protect their ancestral land from the British Colonialist. Priority was given to manufacturing of `Guns and Explosives' known as `Pumpi', a cannon explosive, made from the skin of a `Mithun' also called `Selvun'. Col. L. W. Shakespeare has given his description about `Kuki Cannon Explosive', in his book, `History of the Assam Rifles’. Relationship was also made with the Germans, hoping that the war in Europe would be won by Germany and that German Force would be sent to India to extend military assistance.

Kuki Oath of Commitment Ceremony for Waging War:

An oath of commitment, for waging war ceremony known as `Sajam Lhah’ was performed to begin war against the British. All Kuki Chiefs and Kuki populace were alerted about the declaration of war. Information was given to the whole region where Kukis settled, covering Eastern Sector (Chahsat Area), North-Eastern Sector, Burma Sector, Upper Burma Sector, Southern Sector, Western Sector (Jampi & Laijang Area), Northern Sector (Ahthibung Area of present-day Nagaland), and Assam Sector (North Cachar & Karbi-Anglong Area).

In the mean time, two emissaries were sent to German Leaders and a `Secret Agreement' was made between the Kukis and the Germans that Arms and Ammunitions would be sent to Zale'n-gam to aid the Kukis in their war for independence. In pursuance of the secret agreement, the following points were agreed at the meeting held in the first week of March 1917 at Aisan village, commonly known as ‘Aisan Meeting’. They are as under,(Haokip,op,cit)

(1) All Kuki people should take part in the war. To ensure their participation, all the Kuki Chiefs should assemble in their own area and perform `Sajam Lhah'

(Oath of Commitment Ceremony).

(2) If any chief was unwilling to take partin the war, he would be dispossessed of his chiefship and his village burnt down.

(3) Every village should start stocking Arms, Ammunitions and Gun Powder. (4) Every village should be fortified.

(5) Every village should stock food grain.

Consequently, regional meetings were held one after the other in region wise. The first regional meeting was held at Chahsat, attended by 22 regional Chiefs, followed by the `Jampi Area Meeting', attended by10 regional chiefs of the region. This was succeeded by the meting of `Longya Area'. All together, 14 regional chiefs participated in the meeting.

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war against the British”. In the meantime Tintong Haokip of Laijang was made Commander in Chief of the Kuki Force and the war between the Kuki and British forces began with immediate effect throughout all Kuki inhabited areas of Manipur, Nagaland and up to Burma in a series of battles in region-wise.

Kuki-British War Casualty:

In the two years long arm conflict between the Kukis and the British, the official record, quoted by Donn Morgan Kipgen,"Understanding the Kuki Rebellion of 1917-1919 & Its True Story”, goes as under, (Kipgen, op,cit);

"73 British soldiers killed in action and 151 wounded, no missing in action and 477 soldiers died of `disease'. This preposterous, as a 2 years long arm conflict, the British army and military police would have definitely lost no less than 250-350 soldiers, killed in action and around 400-500 wounded in actions, At the sure and steady hands of the exceptional sharp shooting Kuki militiamen armed with around 1000-2000 muskets. As a part of full-scale military expedition, most of the 477 British troops who died as a result of gun-shoot and booby-trap injuries have to be coined as killed in action. The underlying fact is that the final operations were conducted under the command of two generals, whose 2500 British troops, with the support of another 1500 Burma military police , as a part of World War I, indicated the awesome respect grudgingly shown by the Empire to the fighting skills and tenacity of 1500 ill-equipped Kuki patriots".

The arm conflict between the Kukis and the British came to an end in the last part of the year 1919, after burning down all the `Fortified Conclaves' of the Kukis at the following headquarters of Chahsat, Longya, Lonpi (Mombi), and elsewhere. However, against odds, the Kukis nonetheless fought valiantly for two and a half years and lost the war honorably, to the British.

Trials and Sentences of the Kuki Chiefs and War Commanders:

After burning down all the fortified conclaves of the Kukis, the war came to and end. All Kuki chiefs were captured alive and imprisoned in Imphal jail for further trials, subjected to severe punishments and torture. In the first trial, prison sentences of 15 years each was made for 12 Kuki chiefs including 20 years each for Kuki Rajah Chengjapao Doungel and Tintong Haokip, the Commander in Chief of Kuki force.

In the eastern Zalengam, the present day Burma/ Myanmar, Kuki Chiefs and leaders were detained in Homlin jailed and tortured. All together 11 Chiefs under the leadership of Kamjahen Haokip, chief of Phailenjang were sentenced for 15 years each imprisonment in Taunggyi jail in Burma.

However, in the second trial the previous term of sentences passed were reduced and 3 years each imprisonment in the cellular jail of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, was passed for 11 Kuki chiefs and 4 years for Rajah Chengjapao, being the Rajah (eldest clan chief). On the side of Burma, 3 years each imprisonment in Sodia Taunggyi jail for 11 Kuki chiefs was sentenced, who were later shifted to Andaman and Nicobar Islands Jail, which served as a `Colony of Convict'. With the attainment of independence by India and Burma in the year 1947 and 1948 respectively, Zale'n-gam was divided into two parts; India and Burma. The Kuki people were further divided into India and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) when Bangladesh got sovereignty.

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the Government of India went unheard. Hereafter, the Kuki people joined the Mizo National Front (MNF) movement in the 1960s, to integrate their inhabited areas into the present day Mizoram. However, unfortunately, when MNF and the Government of India (GOI), signed the Mizoram Accord in 1972, leading to the formation of Mizoram as a full fledged state in 1987 within the Indian Union, all Kuki areas of Assam, Tripura, Manipur and Burma were left out.

Feeling betrayed by the MNF, in the early 1980s, a group of Kukis, who later became the KNO/ KNA members, sought the help of the Kachin Independent Organisation (KIO) in Burma and set up their own organization by the name of Kuki National Army (KNA) in the year 1989, under the leadership of Brig. (late) Thangkholun Haokip, on 24 February of the same year at Molvailup, Ukhrul district of Manipur bordering Myanmar. The outfit’s overground wing, Kuki National Organisation (KNO) was also set up the following year with P.S Haokip as the President. KNO/ KNA strive for a separate state for the Kukis. The first batch cadres got special training from the 3rd brigade of KIO/ KIA. KNO/ KNA is an Indian based vis-a-vis Indo-Myanmar Movement.

Conclusion:

Coming back to Chin Movement, in 1989-1990, `Student Activists', who got special training from KIO/ KIA at Kachin state, initiated `Reformation Movement' in CNF. Thus, an armwing, Chin National Army (CNA) was also set up to operate simultaneously with CNF. John Kho Kim Thang was made the new President of CNF/ CNA. At present, the outfit is an India based `Myanmar Movement', having its headquarters at Aizawl, Mizoram and Vikas Puri, New Delhi.

Now, an interesting fact to note is that all the 23 ethnic based insurgency organizations, which used to operate in Myanmar, formed a Frontal Organisation called `Democratic Alliance of Burma' (DAB) in the wake of the movement for the restoration of Democracy in Myanmar in 1988. However, due to the shrewd planning of ‘State Peace and Development Council' (SPDC), the Chinese pressure and the declining faith in Armed Revolution, the constituents of the Alliance started negotiating with the Myanmarese Military Junta. So far 20 insurgent groups have come to terms with the Junta. However, the Karens, the Chins and the Arakanese have been left out of the scope of peace settlement. They have not ceased armed struggle.

Another significant determinant in the study of CNF is that the organization is based in `India' and is accused of closed `Ties' with the government of India. Another accusation is that CNF is financed and armed by the government of India to counter the alleged Myanmarese support extended to the Indian Insurgents now taking shelter in Myanmar. Here lies the significance of detailed study of the movement. A comparative study is important in view of the fact that the Karen Insurgency is the oldest outfit in Myanmar and almost every ethnic based insurgency has close ties with it and probably, it is closest to the Chin Insurgency, as both are Christian ethnic groups.

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Books:

C. PO C.B.E San (1928), Burma and the Karens.

Fredholm Michael (1993), Burma: Ethnicity and Insurgency. Guite Jangkhomang (2004),The Kuki National Organisation (KNO).

Haokip Seilen (2010), Rhetorics of Kuki Nationalism: A Treatise, New Delhi, Lustra Print. Haokip P.S (1998), Zale'n gam: The Kuki Nation, Zalengam, KNO Publication, vol. 1. Khupzago (1988), The Chin Chronicles, Churachandpur, L & R Printing press. Morrison Ian, 1946 - Grand Father Long Legs.

Maung Maung, 1968 - Burma and General Ne Win. Palit D.K, 1983 - Sentinels of the North-East.

Ray A K, 1990 - Authority and Legetimacy: A Study of the Thadou-Kukis in Manipur. Stevenson H.N.C, 1943 - The Economics of the Central Chin Tribes.

Shakespear Col. L.W,1929 &1977

(Firma KLM Pvt, Calcutta) - History of the Assam Rifles. Tucker Shelby, - The Curse of Independence.

Documents:

*British Library, (Oriental &

India Office Collections -OIOC) . - Burma and Assam Frontiers, "Kuki Rising 1917-1919.

*General Information on Myanmar (Burma). - Religion and Culture, (http/www.myanmartourex. commyanmar-general information /travel-Myanmar

-religion-cultutal.html…20/03/2010).

*Structure of CNF: - About the Chin National Front, (Published by Organization Department of CNF).

Journals & News Papers:

Kipgen Donn Morgan, - Understanding the Kuki Rebellion of 1917-1919 and its True Story, (The Sangai Express, ImphaI,19 December 2004). Kangujam Sanatomba, - Ethnic Discourses in the North-East,

(The Sangai Express, Imphal,Tuesday 1 November 2005). Maxmillian Weshler, - The Kuki Strive for Free State,

(The New Era Journal, Czech press, Bangkok 2002)

Uk Lian, - The Chin People:’National Identity,Sovereignty and Federalism’, (Ethnic Nationalities Journal,Vol. 2, No.1).

Personal Interview:

David Taw, - Joint Gen. Secretary, Karen National Union (KNU) on 30/03/2008 at New Delhi.

Paul Sitha, - C-e-C, Chin National Front, (CNF) on 23/08/2005 at Aizawl, Mizoram.

P.S Haokip, - President, Kuki National Organisation (KNO) on 21/12/2004 at New Delhi.

Thanglianpau,(Ex-MP,Burma) - President, ZRA/ ZRO on 25/11/2002 at Churachandpur. Khaijasong Guite, - Founder, ZRA/ ZRO on 21/11/2002 at Churachandpur.