KLO/KLA vows revenge strike
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 21: Army commander in chief of the armed outfit KLO/KLA Timothy Kuki has categorically stated the outfit would take up stern action, irrespective of time and place, against the six renegades who were involved in the cold blooded killing of its town commander Seilinthang alias Eagle at Khuga Dam area on the night of April 19.

KLO/KLA cadres pose with their weapons before the lens

Talking to mediapersons at a place in Sadar Hills area today, Timothy strongly condemned the killing and informed that Seilinthang alias Eagle had been sent on a goodwill mission to hold talks with all those party cadres who have been misled and bring them back to the party fold.

Identifying the accused killers of Seilinthang as Seikhohao alias Marvin of Thangkangphai in Churachandpur district, Ngamlet alias Jamdil of Changpikot, Yangkhohao alias Arjun of Lhangjol village, Robert Kuki of Phailen village, Steward Kuki of Sapermeina and Paokholun Haokip of Games Village Zone-IV, the army commander in chief said since the killing was in cold blood, the party has decided to strike out anytime and anywhere they are found.

Setting the record straight on the charges levelled against him of conniving with the NSCN (I-M) for his own gain and igniting the violent incident at Hundung on the reformation day of KLO/KLA on December 17, 2007, Timothy Kuki denied having ever sought the help of NSCN (I-M) for his own personal gain.

He said that he was one of those who sustained injuries in the said incident.

Subsequent to the killing of 10 cadres of KLO/KLA and seizing arms from them, talks have been held with the leaders of the NSCN (I-M) and ultimatum served to return back all the arms and weapons seized from the slain cadres and pay of necessary ex-gratia/compensation to the bereaved families in accordance to the cumtomary laws of the Kuki community.

KLO/KLA has been restraining itself from striking against the NSCN (I-M) in consideration of strong pressure from Kuki non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and civil organisations.

In case the demand for returning back the seized weapons is not respected, then KLO/KLA is ready to do the needful, the army commander in chief said.

Clarifying that there is no faction called Malsom group in KLO/KLA, Trimuthi said that they are renegade cadres whose only motive is to extort money from the people in the name of the outfit.

He further clarified that Addy Kuki has only been appointed as the information and publicity secretary by the cabinet of the Government of KLO/KLA and he is not a member.

Deputy commander in chief Robinson Kuki, who is also in charge of finance secretary of the KLO/KLA was also present at the occasion.