Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 03:
Accusing the security forces of resorting to heavy bombardments in its bid to drive out the MPA cadres from the base area of its 293 Bn, the UNLF today said that the heavy bombing of the area has displaced a number of Kuki villagers.
In a statement, the outfit said that the security forces are using at least 200 bombs per day and added that they are inching their way towards Old Somtal.
The displaced villagers of Old Somtal have taken refuge at New Somtal, said the statement and added the MPA cadres are providing all possible help to the displaced villagers by providing them with food, clothing and other essential items.
With the winter season on, the suffering of the displaced villagers, particularly the women and children has become unbearable, said UNLF.
The Indian security personnel are under the delusion that by displacing the villagers, their ire will be turned against the UNLF, it said and added that nothing will wean the villagers away from the aspiration of sovereignty and their support to the UNLF will not erode.
The help rendered by the UNLF to the villagers cannot last forever, it said and urged the civil society organisations and humanitarian bodies to extend all their help to the displaced villagers.
Cautioning the people against the scheming ways of the Indian security force, the outfit recalled how canards were spread against the UNLF when a large number of Kuki villagers were displaced due to the heavy bombardments resorted to by the security forces.
Despite the fact that the UNLF extended all its help to the displaced villagers, some Kuki groups, which have become the tools of the security force accused the UNLF of abducting 600 Kuki villagers, it charged.
The need of the hour is mutual co-operation, said UNLF and urged the Kuki people to realise the indispensability of mutual co-operation and help.
The outfit further claimed that the though the security force have inched their way towards Old Somtal, a fierce encounter ensued today in which four personnel were killed while many others were injured.
On the other hand, the PRO of Assam Rifles in a statement claimed that three militants were killed in a gun fight in the said area.
The bodies could not be retrieved as their comrades took them away, asserted the PRO.