Killing of Thanglallian Vaiphei : bodies rebut KNF (N)'s statement
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 04 2015 : Reacting to the statement of KNF (N) regarding the killing of Thanglallian Vaiphei which appeared in today's edition of State dailies, the three joint Vaiphei bodies – YVA (Jt Hqtrs), VPC (Eastern Block) and Zillai (Eastern Block) made certain clarifications.

In a joint statement signed by Zabiaksang Neilut, president, YVA (Jt Hqtrs), Jangneilun, president, VPC (Eastern Block) and Lamzagou Vaiphei, president, Zillai (Eastern Block), the Vaiphei bodies said that KNF (N) internal factional fight is not Eastern Vaiphei bodies' concern.

However, the issue is with Kuki UGs entry to Vaiphei villages time and again and treating the Vaipheis as their subordinate and puppet subjects.

Vaiphei is a recognised tribe and it is unacceptable to treat it as a subordinate or a federating unit by some organisations, the three Vaiphei bodies asserted while adding that Vaipheis deserve the respect and command enjoyed by any other cognate tribes of Manipur.

If joining a Kuki UGs or Kuki civil bodies is the reason for the subordination and the interference in their areas, then the Vaiphei bodies have every right to socially boycott such individual(s) for the overall stability and development of the eastern Vaipheis, it posited.

It urged all right thinking Kuki civil bodies like KSO and Kuki Inpi to restrain themselves and direct all their Blocks and Branches to draw a boundary and to maintain mutual respect with parallel tribes and organizations.

"If civil bodies cannot maintain a desirable and a proper boundary, how can we expect the UGs to do the same?" it asked.

KSO Island Block was founded recently, and since its inception they have been carrying out various activities in the Eastern Vaiphei areas with the consent and approval of the Zillai (Eastern Block), it pointed out.

Organising or carrying out various activities for the welfare of the students' community is most welcome, and it should be conducted and organized with the approval and consent of the concerned organisation of the area which in turn can create a cordial and peaceful atmosphere for various communities settling in those areas, it said.

Recently, KSO Island Block organized a sports meet in the Eastern Areas which was participated by Vaiphei villages responding to an invitation to take part in the sports meet.

However, the joint bodies is apprehensive as to whether the KSO Island Block has a part in conspiring the killing of Thanglallian Vaiphei by the KNF (N) group as the day of the killing coincided with the final of the sports meet, it added.

It may be mentioned that the three Vaiphei bodies have been urging all members of the tribe to disassociate themselves from Kuki bodies in the wake of the killing of one Thanglallian Vaiphei by KNF (N) .

The Kuki underground group had clarified that Thanglallian was not given death penalty for being a Vaiphei but as a cadre of the outfit for going against the principle of the organisation.

The KNF (N) had also appealed to the VPC, YVA and Zillai to withdraw what it terms 'communal declaration' of the Vaiphei bodies.

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