UKLF refutes allegation, clarifies
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 21 2014 :
Refuting the allegation that it had pressurised the public to oppose the proposed KNLF camp at Semol village, the UKLF today clarified that it never forced or pressurised anybody to oppose the setting up of KNLF camp.
The people raise their objection on their own owing to the reason that keeping two unfriendly armed groups in the same area would certainly disturb the peaceful atmosphere of the area.
The opposition from the public is not a new one but it started right from the start, a press statement issued by the I&P Secretary of UKLF, JM Thadou said.
Of course, the UKLF on its own expressed its strong dislike to the setting up of KNLF camp right from the beginning not for something else but for the sake of peace and tranquillity in the area and thereby approved the standpoint of the public.
KNLF had surrendered to the State Govt last year and they are non SoO group and they should not be treated at par with the SoO groups.
Surrendered groups are not entitled to designated camp.
Even if they are to be given they must be affiliated or attach to the umbrella organisation.
The KNLF is under the KNO and they should be attached to a KNO camp, it said.
Indeed surrender groups are supposed to be housed in security forces camps and to be used at will by the later whereas SoO groups have proper guidelines and ground rules and not at par with the surrenderees.
Media houses and the general public must also differentiate the difference between the two and designate them separately while writing or addressing.
Today it is a known fact that extorting and serving demand notes and other antisocial activities are mostly committed by these surrender groups, it added.
Now the KNLF has already started extorting money and sending demands to truckers and saw mills in Khengjoi subdivision.
This kind of harassment to the people is what we don't like, it said while adding that the Govt must obtain prior consent from the chief who is the owner of the land before setting up any camp for any group.
We are in a democratic country and nobody has the authority to force anybody to donate land for constructing designated camp.
If the intention of the Govt is real peace, it should pay heed to the voice of the public and not to be misled, it reiterated.