Kukiforum News

Houston (US), Feb 10: Dr. T. Lunkim (Tongkhojang Lunkim), a high profile socio-religious leader in the Kuki society, was kidnapped by a local insurgent outfit known as the Kuki Liberation Army (KLA) on 16th January from his hometown Imphal in Northeast India. According to reliable source, the kidnappers demand a ransom amount of Indian Rupees 1 crore (approximately US$232,500 at an exchange rate of $1= Rs 43) However, the authenticity of the source cannot be independently verified till this news report is prepared.

Lunkim, who heads the Kuki Christian Mission in India, is also the chairman of Kuki Movement for Human Rights (KMHR). His achievements, among others, include the translation of the Kuki Holy Bible from Hebrew. He also undertook the bold mission to apprise the plights of his people - ethnic cleansing on the Kukis by cadres of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland - Isak & Muivah faction - to the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the then Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee of the Bharatiya Janata Party led coalition government in the early 1990s and 2000s respectively.

Talking to Kukiforum news with a sobbing voice on her dad's abduction from home in the state of Florida, Nengneivah a.k.a Eva Maloney said, "I am far away from home and feel helpless; I pray that the kidnappers release my father safely. What I can do is pray and urge the U.S. government to put pressure on the Indian government for my father's release. My husband and I have appeared in some local TV channels by displaying my dad's photo to viewers. I thank everyone for your concerns and prayers for my father's release; please continue to do."

Dr. T. Lunkim in USA

With the unveiling of this story, several leaders and intellectuals from the Kuki society around the world have fervently appealed for the unconditional release. Joining its people, the US headquartered Kuki International Forum, a common platform for the Kuki people around the world, urged for Dr. Lunkim's release in a single line statement, "This is unfortunate and a disgrace to our nation."

Members of different churches across the United States have also appealed for his release. Curt Smith, who is a good friend of the victim and a member of Traders Point Christian Church, in his prayer message wrote, "We immediately began to pray and we continue to pray “without ceasing” for his release. I long to embrace anew my brother, T. Lunkim, upon his release, and I know our church – through the strong leadership of Pastor Howard Brammer and Missions Team Leaders Jack Gilbert and Pastor Bob Smith – stand ready to serve you and your people in this time of crisis."

Meanwhile, this office received news from unconfirmed source that an official inquiry into the matter could soon be initiated through the American Embassy in India at the highest levels of the Indian government on behalf of Dr. T. Lunkim. While the international community, particularly the US government, is broadening the definition of terrorism and its pursuits, the unraveling of this whole episode could be a blow to the kidnappers.  

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