KNF-N claims hand in killing David
Source: The Sangai Express
Kangpokpi, August 25 2021:
A man alleged to be one of the culprits in Hengjang's double murder case in 2019 was shot dead yesterday at around 7 am at Bongbal Khullen in Phailengmol Island Block under Kangpokpi district.
The deceased has been identified as Sonkhothang alias David Haokip (22), s/o Lunjamang Haokip of B Vengnom, Churachandpur.
The non-SoO Kuki militant outfit Kuki National Front (Nehlun) group immediately claimed hands in the killing on social media claiming that the deceased Sonkhothang was a former cadre of SoO group KLO/KLA involved in the double murder case of Hengjang village chief Thangkhotinlet alias Thangneo Kipgen and his nephew Thangminlun Kipgen on July 12, 2019 .
David Haokip was an active cadre of Kuki National Liberation Army (KNLA), it claimed.
KNF-N information and publicity secretary, Gou Kuki said that David Haokip was awarded capital punishment for failing to pay heed to 'our repeated warning' .
The outfit also warned parents whose wards joined KNLA to call them back to avoid meeting the same fate.
It also cautioned civil society organization leaders and chiefs of Phailengmol Island Block to refrain from providing shelter and operational bases to KNLA cadres.
Meanwhile, civil society organizations of Phailengmol Island Block comprising Kuki Inpi, Kuki Women Union, KSO strongly condemned the broad daylight killing of Sonkhothang alias David Haokip.
While terming the incident as unfortunate, it appealed to all militant outfits to resist such killing and avoid roaming around with sophisticated arms in the villages which could create fear psychosis among the innocent children, women and villagers.