Seeking a settlement within Constitution : KNO leader Seilen Haokip
Source: The Sangai Express

CCpur, March 05 2017: The United People's Front ( UPF) and Kuki National Organisation ( KNO) for the first time offically participated in exercising their adult franchise in the Manipur State Assembly polls 2017.In an email interview spokesperson of the KNO Seilen Haokip tells Ninglun Hanghal about KNO-UPF take on the State election 2017 and participation in electoral process.

Question � Was there any invitation from EC for voting in the State Assembly? Is KNO/UPF willing to vote? What are the arrangements ? .

Response � Yes the election commission made arrangements for cadres to cast votes.

Yes, we agreed as honourable citizens of India.

As in 2014 Parliamentary election, booths are arranged in designated camps.

Question � Were there any issue as reported in 2014 such as logistics, security , such as the distance of polling booth ? .

Response � Polling at designated camps took place with-out hindrance.

Theer was no major issue even in the general election of 2014 .

Question � What about election ID cards ? Do all the cadres have their own identity cards ? .

Response � Cadres have their own identity cards which they use for voting.

Question � Now that KNO/UPF are in the SoO pact and in dialogue process, what is KNO/UPF take on electoral politics- in terms of participating under the Indian system.

Response � KNO and UPF are seeking a political settlement within the framework of the Constitution.

Therefore there is no concern of contrary activities against the democratic process.

I would also underline that KNO and UPF are fighting for their Constitutional rights and accordingly engage in political dialogue with Government , we are not secessionists.

Question � Any comment on the Manipur Assembly election 2017 ? .

Response � KNO and UPF would reciprocate Government's goodwill.

The Nation comes first, party politics is secondary.

Question � In the first breakthrough dialogue with KNO/UPF the MHA � Joint Secretary said the Government is serious.

Moreover Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh reportedly said that the Union Government is interested in pursuing the dialogue.

What is your reaction.

Response � KNO and UPF are confident that the Government will abide and carry out its agreements in the deliberations and accordingly safeguard tribal minorities as inscribed in the Constitution.

We have placed our demands to both GoI and GoM.

Next talk which is expected soon, will focus on the stated demands.

We trust that it will be meaningful as our demands are not for independence or separation but the Constitutional rights of our people.

Question � What is your key demand Response � KNO-UPF demand is Statehood.

This comprise our ancestral lands within the existing State of Manipur in which the chiefs possess legal ownership deeds.

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