TWO organizers of the Kuki forum held in Tamu Township in support of the 21st Century Panglong Conference were charged for organizing the event without permission. The General Administration Department took action after the two days event was held on 19 and 20 August. The organizers said they have submitted for approval a week ahead and the head of the Township General Administration Department responded only verbally at the last minute that he reject the request. An organizer of the event U Htan Kho Say said the event was organized despite of the permission was not granted. He said the head of General Administration Department of Tamu Township called the organizers to his office and said the permission was not granted, as Kuki are not among the 135 recognized ethnic groups in Myanmar. He also said the organizers would face legal action as the event was held despite of refusal for permission. U Htan Kho Say said the Kuki people has been organizing their traditional cultural events as well as forum and conferences during 2010 to 2015 and they are disallow under the government of the National League for Democracy (NLD). He said Kuki ethnic group belong to Chin and its represent three smaller ethnic groups. U Htan Kho Say added that the Kuki people has registered their ethnic name under column 914 in questionnaires for 2014 nationwide census. Reference: The Voice 26 August 2016 Page 7