Imphal, November 11 2008: Coming out with a clarification on the incident of setting on fire a passenger bus coming from Imphal and heading to Guwahati by dousing it with petrol on the night October 23 last at Lahorijan in Assam, commander in-chief of the armed group KLO/KLA Timothy today said that the act of arson in which two passengers were charred to death while several other escaped with burn injuries was committed by one Malsawn Kuki by using the name of KLO/KLA.

Talking to a group of mediapersons at the tactical headquarters of KLO/KLA, Timothy said Malsawn Kuki is not a member of the organisation but a leader of a gang working for mercenary gains and is not under the Suspension of Operation.

Moreover, the three alleged KLO/KLA cadres namely Nokhulun Haokip s/o Thehang Haokip of Veitum Khullen, Laishram Jiban /o late Nongthon of Sagolband Thangjam Leirak and Sanasam Birmangol s/o late Ibotombi of Tera Loukrakpam Leikai claimed to have been arrested by Imphal East Commandos are not connected with KLO/KLA in any way, Timothy said, adding that these three persons are gang members of Malsawn Kuki and were also involved in setting aflame the passenger bus.

Timothy further clarified that the KLO/KLA outfit of which he is the commander in-chief always work in adherence to the ground rules of the Suspension of Operation signed with the Centre and the State Government.

After the signing of the Suspension of Operation, KLO/KLA has not indulged in any anti-social activities.

In accordance to the ground rules, all the KLO/KLA cadres are staying in their respective camps and monetary demand from the public in Imphal area has been stopped.

In case, the public received any monetary demand in the name of KLO/KLA then members of the group led by the commander in-chief should be informed to clear any confusion.

As the act of arson committed by the gang of Malsawn Kuki was intended to tarnish the image of the group led the commander in-chief, all concerned should be cautious, Trimuthi said.