KNO/KLA clarifies
Source: The Sangai Express

Kangpokpi, January 20 2020: The Kuki Liberation Organization/Kuki Liberation Army (KLO/KLA), an entity of tripartite peace talks under the umbrella of KNO, has clarified over the statement of the culprits involved in the double murder case at Hengjang village on July 10, 2019 .

It may be recalled that on July 10, 2019 afternoon at around 12.30 pm, an armed miscreant killed Hengjang Kuki village chief, Thangneo Kipgen (58) and his nephew Thangminlun Haokip (26), S/o Thenthang Haokip in between Keihao and Hengjang village under Island (Phailengmol) Block in Kangpokpi District, located around 20/25 km away from Island (Phailengmol) Sub Divisional Headquarters, while they were travelling in a private vehicle.

KNF-N and KLO/KLA had been pointing finger to one another after the incident as KNF-N blamed KLO/KLA hands on the incident while KLO/KLA clarified it as fabricated, concocted and baseless.

The KNF-N, a non-SoO Kuki militant had also warned to award capital punishment if they happened to crackdown the culprit on their investigation.

Almost a year after the incident, a combined team of State Police and Assam Rifles reportedly crackdown and arrested, the culprits involved in the murder case and also recovered the weapon used in the murder of the duo.

The KLO/KLA information and publicity secretary.

Kennedy Kuki said that they had also clarified that the group is not involved in the incident.

He continued that the outfit highly appreciated the security force led by Th Krishnatombi Singh, Addl SP (Ops), Imphal East and Thangkhochon Haokip, Addl SP, Imphal East for apprehending Paotinthang alias Paotin Kipgen (39), S/o Henthang Kipgen, who is also the chief of B Gamnom village, as published in the local dailies on January 18, 2020, in connection with the case.

However, the statement of Paotinthang Kipgen which said that he took the help of KLA cadres of Gampum Peace Camp, who supplied 4 weapons including one Ml 6 assault rifle and three AK 47 rifles and the committed the crime along with four KLA cadres are baseless and concocted.

It was an attempt to tarnish the image of KLO/KLA.

He further said that the statement of Thangkholen alias Thangneo alias Alvinash as published in some local dailies who claimed to be a self-styled Major of KLO/KLA is completely fabricated while clarifying that he was suspended from the organization for his anti-organization activities, especially for violating the SoO ground rules on May 15, 2019 .

He also clarified that Thangkholen has no connection with the organisation whatsoever and any action taken against him as per the law of the land will be highly appreciated.

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