KNF replies to KRA's posers
Source: The Sangai Express
Kangpokpi, May 09 2017:
The Kuki National Front (KNF) today responded to Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) over the factional killing near Boljang village early morning on May 5 in New Keithelmanbi areas.
The KNO/KRA information publicity secretary, J Simte had earlier asked UPF/KNF to clarify as to why its two cadres were killed, which the UPF/KNF claimed are cadres of People's Revolutionary Army (PRA), stating that it [KNO/KRA] will not remain as a mere spectator if does not clarify within the set deadline.
KNF information publicity secretary, LH Stephen at the outset made it clear to KNO/KRA that there is no KNF (P) adding "we belong to the organization christened Kuki National Front (KNF) which was established in the 1987 by (L) Nehlun Kipgen and asked KNO/KRA to name them correctly when addressed to in future" .
He said that KNF never welcome factional clash or killing alleging that it is the KRA which force the KNF to eliminate the two as they had become inimiacal to the KNF.
They had also posed a threat to the prevailing peaceful environment in New Keithelmanbi area under Saitu AC.
The information and publicty secretary of KNF also clarified that the outift has no personal enmity with the deceased duo and recalled that before it [KRA] came into being, Churachandpur, Saikul and Saitu in Kangpokpi district were apart of KNF operational areas.
It was due to the factional fight during the 1990s that the KNF left Churachandpur and operate only in New Keithelmanbi areas in Saitu AC, Kangpokpi, IT Road, Bongbal area, etc.
LH Stephen also gave a detailed history of how KNF came into being and how it helped the KRA.
Recalling various SoO ground rules allegedly breached by KRA which according to KNF were the key factors for the misunderstanding between the two groups, LH Stephen pointed out that KRA forcefully set up Tintong battalion in New Keithelmanbi area without respecting the ground rule, apprehended many cadres of KNF and its supporters with the help of Army apart from arresting many innocent people with fake KNF letterhead and small arms which sent them to jail.
He also alleged that Central Administrative Officer (CAO), KNF (L) Robert was killed with assistance of Army and two of his guards survive with bullet mark facing untold hardships and grievances till today.
Asking the KRA what made them to occupy New Keithelmanbi area, LH Stephen said that New Keithelmanbi is the birth place of the founder of KNF (L) Nehlun and is the origin of the organization itself.
KNF also blamed KRA for the emergence of an enemy of KNF in the form of People's Revolutionary Army (PRA) in New Keithelmanbi area which is totally against the SoO ground rules and established Tintong Battalion.