UNLF owns Kongkan shooting, apologises
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 29 2012:
Admitting involvement of its cadres in the killing of two villagers (hunters) at near Kongkan village area under Kamjong sub-division of Ukhrul district last evening, the proscribed UNLF conveyed sincere apology to the Tangkhul community in general and the aggrieved families in particular.
Asserting that befitting punitive action would be initiated against the MPA cadres involved in the incident, a UNLF statement issued by its senior publicity officer Ksh Yoiheiba seeking forgiveness for the inadvertent mistake also sought permission of the bereaved families to allow UNLF provide humble assistance to surviving members of the victims.
Recounting genesis of the incident, the UNLF statement conveyed that an MPA mobile team had been waiting for the past two days in the woods to ambush Indian security force personnel (Assam Rifles), who normally carry out patrolling duty in the vicinity.
Pointing out that the incident spot is about 3 kms away from Kongkan village where an AR post is also located, Yoiheiba said the MPA mobile team on spotting a group of people with arms/weapons and clad in combat fatigues with caps along the Kongkan village road assumed them to be AR personnel due to low visibility.
Even though K Kumar and K Ramsong of Kongkan village got killed in the MPA firing the attackers realised their mistake and promptly apologised to victims' companions for forgiveness, the senior publicity officer explained while adding that the MPA team parted ways with the hunters after the latter showed them (MPA cadres) the route.
While the incident was relayed through the radio-sets the MPA mobile team members are yet to report to their unit, he maintained while asserting that based on investigation report appropriate action would be initiated against the guilty ones.
Conceding that the MPA team had committed a gross mistake and affirming that UNLF central Committee will take the responsibility for such an error, Yoiheiba on behalf of the UNLF also conveyed sincere apology for the insurmountable loss suffered by the Tangkhul community.
Sharing grief of the bereaved families and fervently appealing to the Tangkhul community to condone mistake committed by the UNLF, Yoiheiba reiterated his appeal to the victims' families to permit the outfit repent its mistake.