KNLF camp on the verge of completion
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 07, 2014:
Notwithstanding all the objections and concomitant controversies, construction of the KNLF's designated camp at Semol village is now complete by almost 80 per cent.
Incidentally, KNLF affiliated to KNO is under tripartite SoO pact with the Government of India and Government of Manipur.
A team of media persons visited the camp site yesterday.
Semol village is located about 140 Kms away from Imphal, close to Myanmar border in Khengjoy sub-division of Chandel district.
Briefing the media persons, KNLF/KPA commander Laldenga Khongsai said that construction of the designated camp began since the second week of May with the help of local villagers.
The camp being constructed at the expense of the outfit is now complete by 80 per cent, he said.
Altogether 52 cadres are staying at the camp and it is being guarded by 6 Dogra Regiment.
Laldenga on behalf of KNLF conveyed gratitude to the Government of India and the State Government for their permission to open a designated camp at Semol.
It was annoying that UKLF forcibly used some civil society organisations of Chandel as their tool to defame the State Government, Army and Assam Rifles in addition to making undue interference in the rehabilitation process of KNLF cadres, said the commander.
Maintaining that KNLF does not believe in hurling charges and counter charges through media, Laldenga said that any one can visit and see what is happening at Semol.
Villagers of Semol, Khengjoy, Wailou, Maokot, Molcham, Sehao and Phaisen took part and helped in the camp construction work.
As per customs, meal for the villagers were arranged by the outfit.
Semol village chief Tilgoulen Haokip said they were living together with the KNLF cadres just like family members.
There was no instance of the KNLF cadres harassing villagers or invoking any unwanted situation.
Giving a similar comment, Khengjoy village chief Thongkhothang Haokip said that they have been getting along well so far but only time can tell what would happen in the coming days.
Notably, it was on September 9 last year that KNLF signed a SoO pact with the State Government and the Government of India at the 1st MR Banquet Hall.