Imphal, September 29, 2009: Hundreds of people of Kuki tribe today took out a procession at Pallel in Chandel District in protest against the threats on the life of leaders of Kuki civil organisations allegedly issued by Kuki National Organisation (KNO)/Kuki National Army (KNA).

Over a thousand people, specially villagers of 30 Kuki villages and 20 villages of non-tribals took part in the procession that started from Kotlenphai in Chandel district, and passed through the roads around Pallel bazar, and finally converged at the ground of Pallel High School.

The rallyists carried placards that dispalyed slogans like "Withdraw KNO/KNA from Chandel from Chandel district," "We live not under UGs, but under the government," "We condemn violation of civil rights," "Do not violate SoO ground rules," "We condemn attempt on the lives of social/public leaders," "Do not threaten civilians," etc.

After the protest rally, ex-president of Kuki Women for Human Rights, Chandel district, but now advisor of the body, Ms Alam Kuki, who was allegedly threatened by KNO/KNA, said, self styled commander of wing number five of the same group, Tengnoupal area KNO/KNA, one Thangboi had informed her on mobile phone to come to Tengnoupal at 10 am of September 27 along with chairman of Kuki Welfare Association, Chandel and also village chief of Molnoi village Chongthang Zou.

However, both of them did not go.

But in the afternoon of September 27, one SMS was sent in Kuki language on her mobile phone which said that "You both must take a decision whether to come or not to come, but since you have not come, you should bear the responsibility for the consequences.

Do not blame any body else".

She further narrated that what the SMS indicated was that they will be given severe form of punishment just for having been the leaders of the public.

They work only in the interest of the people.

They can not do anything without consent of the public.

They have never done anything wrong with prejudice.

She said, "If the public leaders like her are threatened in such manner, nobody will volunteer to work as a leader of the public".

Today's rally has clearly shown that the people do not like the public leaders being threatened by armed militants, she said.

She also pointed out that there are a number of militant groups operating in Chandel district making the people face incidents of intimidation and torture.

Therefore, all the groups must join as one.

This had already been brought to the notice of the government, Ms Alam Kuki said.

Later, a memorandum was submitted to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs throught DC Chandel.

The memorandum alleged that the KNO/KNA was trying to break up Kuki society into pieces.

The group forms and supports smaller groups such as KNLF, PAKAN, KLA (T), UMLA, etc.

The KNO/KNA instigates these small groups to break Kuki society and create problem for the government.

Since the entry of KNO/KNA in Chandel district a few years ago, these groups have been collecting house tax, forcibly collecting paddy from the villagers.

Therefore, the KNO/KNA should be withdrawned from the district.

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