Northeast

Kuki’s peacemaker and former Kumpipa no more, many condole his demise

Haojakam Chongloi was a member of the Manipur Government Peace Mission on the Kuki-Hmar feud during 1960.

ByKangpokpi Correspondent

Updated 10 Mar 2022, 9:00 pm

Representational Image (PHOTO: Pexels)
Representational Image (PHOTO: Pexels)

One of the most popular Kuki leaders, a trendsetter and a peacemaker, Haojakam Chongloi, a retired district education officer in 1993, who was also the only living signatory in the memorandum of Kuki state demand which was submitted to the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru on March 24, 1960, passed away yesterday evening at his Kangpokpi residence Gopikot at Vengthah.

He was 92 and survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren.

Born in March 1931 at Gopikot in NC Hills, Assam, Chongloi is a diploma holder in Educational Planning and Administration, National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA), Delhi. He retired as district education officer (DEO) while posting at Kangpokpi in Manipur after serving as headmaster in Kangpokpi Government aided High School, principal in Government Higher Secondary School, Churachandpur, district education officer in Tamenglong, and deputy director of Education (Tribal Dialect), Directorate of Education, Manipur.

He was also the first president of the Kuki Students’ Association, NC Hills, Assam in 1950. He also served as secretary, Kuki Students’ Union, Shillong from 1957-1959, and organizer of Kuki Students’ Meet 1958 at Tamphasana Girls High School in Imphal. He then became the general secretary of Kuki National Assembly.

Haojakam Chongloi was also a member of the Manipur Government Peace Mission on the Kuki-Hmar feud during 1960 having a monumental contribution in restoring peace among the two communities, in which otherwise many innocent lives could be destroyed during the feud.

He became the vice-president of Kuki Inpi Manipur from 1995-1998 and served as the president of the apex body, Kuki Inpi Manipur from 1998 till 2001 during which he led the historic rally of the Kukis in New Delhi.

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Before he became the president of Kuki Inpi India in 1998, he had also initiated a peace accord to end ethnic violence in Churachandpur while he had also submitted a memorandum to UNPO during his tenure as Kumpipa from 1998-2001. He was also the secretary and chairman of Kuki Literature Society from 1971-2014, a managing trustee of Anglo Kuki War Patriots Memorial Foundation apart from many other posts and designation in various organizations.

A man of limited means, who did not let scarcity define his life but instead scaled the heights of success through pure grit and hard work, Haujakam Chongloi had recently released his autobiography christened Against all odds at Kangpokpi.

He spent his lifetime working as an educationist in Manipur, initially as a teacher in schools and later in the state Education Directorate as a district education officer (DEO).

His traditional burial ceremony was held on Thursday at Kangpokpi according to Christian ethics and tradition.

Many civil society organisations, including Kuki Inpi Manipur and Kuki Students’ Organization also participated in his burial ceremony and expressed condolence over his demise.

CONDOLENCE MESSAGE

The Kuki Inpi Manipur along with it’s federate and frontal organisations is shocked to learnt the untimely demise of Haujakam Chongloi, former President of Kuki Inpi Manipur at his Kangpokpi residence due to prolong illness, said KIM President Khaimang Chongloi.

He continued that Haujakam Chongloi was associated with the Kuki Inpi Manipur during his service as a government employee and after his retirement. He had served as Vice President (Pachong) and also held the post of President of the Kuki Inpi Manipur and served the people.

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He also said that his dedication and contribution in the service of the people in general and for the Kuki community in particular, cannot simply be made to fall into oblivion while adding that he was a true leader who selflessly devoted his life towards the upliftment of the Kukis in particular.

He continued that all the hard work rendered by Haujakam Chongloi, has had a positive impact and impression on the Kukis and the people with whom he had worked, he said while adding his dedication really deserved recognition and appreciation.

He was also instrumental for the unity among the Kuki tribes and for strengthening of Kuki Inpi Manipur, he added.

KIM President said that the untimely demise of Haujakam Chongloi has brought a great and irreparable loss and will be felt by the Kuki people for whom he had made many political, social and religious contributions during his tenure as the President of Kuki Inpi Manipur.

Kuki Inpi Manipur also offers it’s heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the bereaved, grief-stricken family members and pray that the consolation and visitation of the Almighty be upon them.

The Kuki Students’ Organization General Headquarters while extending deepest condolences, said that the contributions of Haujakam Chongloi in the society will always be remembered and at this hour of grief extends our deepest condolences we pray for the bereaved family.

 

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Tags:

condolenceKIMkuki leaderHaojakam ChongloiKuki’s peacemakerKumpipa

Kangpokpi Correspondent

Kangpokpi Correspondent

KANGPOKPI district, Manipur

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