Government non-committal, asserts KNO
Source: The Sangai Express / Ninglun Hanghal
New Delhi, September 03 2012:
Expressing displeasure and dissatisfaction at the progress of the SoO talks, Seilen Haokip, spokesperson of the KNO said, "It has been on for seven years now but there has been no outcome" .
Proposal for extension of three months have come from the State Government said the KNO leader and while arguing that deposition of arms in police stations is not included in the agreement, the KNO leader dismissed the allegations of violation of SoO rules by cadres.
He claimed that such a condition was not in place when the UPF joined SoO.
"We signed the agreement for suspension , but till now there is no political dialogue" said a visibly disturbed Haokip.
"We are not secessionist, nor anti-national.
We are demanding our right under the framework of the Indian Constitution", he said.
The KNO leader recalled that a series of memorandum and documents have been submitted to the Government since 1995 and added that the political establishment has been ignoring them in their their attempt to delegitimize the Kukis' stand.
"We have faith in the Government but they are unreasonable, immature," said the Kuki leader.
Replying to a query on the ongoing peace process between the NSCN and GoI, Haokip retorted "It is a war talk not peace talk.
"All communities are stakeholders, the Nagas and the Kukis in Manipur are living together and will continue to live together.
You cannot ignore one and appease the other," observed Haokip.
While violence have considerably come down, particularly in Churachandpur after several Kuki groups/ factions came together under the SoO umbrella, the State Government has still not acknowledged the positve impacts which has led to this present situation where a dialogue or further step has not been pursued, he said.
Haokip said "The State Government has been arbitrary rather being a facilitator.
We are made out to be
a defaulter" .
The Kuki leader went on to state that the indifference of the Centre towards the Kukis may lead to a search for an 'alternative' if the SoO is not going to lead anywhere.
Meanwhile the tripartite agreement for Suspension of Operation between the KNO, UPF, the State Government and the Centre has been extended for another three months.
The agreement was signed here in New Delhi on August end in a meeting represented by State Chief Secretary DS Poonia, Special Secretary Home Dr Suresh Babu, ADG LM Khoute, Union Home Ministry Joint Secretary Shambu Singh and leaders of UPF and KNO.