KNLF refutes UKLF charges over designated camp construction
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Lamka, May 30 2014 :
Contending that the designated camp being constructed at Semol village under Khengjoy sub-division of Chandel district has the consent of the Ministry of Home Affairs, State Government and the village chief, Kuki National Liberation Front (KNLF) has called upon the people not to take in the false propaganda of Kuki National Organisation (KNO), the armed wing of UKLF.
Speaking to media persons last night, KNLF Secretary Tonglenlal Haokip alias Lalmoi recounted that KNLF joined the umbrella organisation KNO as its 15th constituent when the latter signed SoO extension agreement on August 30, 2013.Subsequently, KNLF too signed a tripartite SoO pact with the Government of India and Government of Manipur on September 9, 2013 at 1st MR Banquet Hall, Imphal.
Ministry of Home Affairs, North East Division gave its consent to build a designated camp of KNLF at Semol on March 25 this year, following a representation submitted earlier by the Semol village authority to the Principal Secretary (Home) on January 21 last.
The nod for construction of the designated camp was conveyed to the outfit by the Additional Secretary (Home) on May 3, Lalmoi said.
Accordingly on 11 May, 40 cadres of KNLF who were accommodated at the Moreh post of 9 Assam Rifles shifted to Semol where they started building the camp at the outfit's expense.
However, the UKLF started making many false charges against KNLF and also instigated village chiefs of the area who started making uproar over the matter since May 17, the Secretary alleged.
Asserting that KNLF cadres never harassed any villager nor did anything which may disturb tranquillity of the area, Lalmoi claimed that the villagers and the cadres are cooperating with each other.
On the other hand, no UKLF cadre is present in Khengjoy sub-division.
They have moved to Sugnu and Chakpikarong sub-division, he asserted.
UKLF Unit-III PRO Augustine Khongsai summoned all the office bearers of Kana Area Chiefs' Association and Gunpi Area Chiefs' Association to Sugnu on May 22, threatening the village chiefs with penalty including fine of Rs 10,000 in case they did not turn up, Lalmoi alleged while claiming that a copy of the same notification is in their possession.
Subsequently, UKLF forced the village chiefs to raise a strong objection against opening KNLF's camp at Semol by staging protest demonstration on the same day.
As the Kana Area Chiefs' Association and Gunpi Area Chiefs' Association are formed by chiefs of villages located within Chakpikarong sub-division, the Government need not pay undue attention to their voice concerning Khengjoy sub division, Lalmoi said.
Citing that Chandel Naga People's Organisation has no relevance to the Semol camp, Lalmoi charged that the CNPO has been manifesting their childish nature.
Saying that KNLF has no intention to dictate terms to village chiefs and it also does not see UKLF as an enemy, Lalmoi affirmed that it signed the SoO pact in order to bring peace and development in Khengjoy sub-division.
The outfit would not do anything to violate the SoO ground rules, Lalmoi assured, adding that there is no such terminology like 'area dominated by UG groups' and all areas should be under the domination of central security forces or State security forces.
Denying UKLF's assertion that only 7 Kms separate the camps of KNLF and UKLF, Lalmoi clarified that the two camps are separated by around 15 Kms.
He also denied that there was any case of extortion from truck owners or saw mills of Khengjoy area by KNLF, and further stated that all its cadres confined at Semol have been engaged in the camp construction work.
The secretary further clarified that Holkam alias Luis s/o Tilkhosei is a deserter who has snapped all connection with the outfit, while Thangkholun s/o Tiljang is now at the Semol camp.