Chandel bodies warn of bandh
Source: The Sangai Express

Thoubal, June 04 2014: Kuki civil society bodies of Chandel district have warned that they would launch a series of intense forms of agitation including National Highway bandh, if the voice of the people is ignored and the designated camp of Kuki National Liberation Front (KNLF) is not removed from Semol village within June 10 .

A resolution in this regard was taken during a joint meeting of Kuki People's Forum, Chandel district, Kuki Chief's Association (KCA) Chandel district, Thadou Students' Association (TSA) Chandel district; Kuki Students' Organization (KSO) Chandel district, Kuki Women Human Rights, Chandel district; United Zou Organization (UZO) Gunpi, Dingpi Area Kuki Truck Owners Association and Kuki Chief's Association Gunpi, Tengnoupal, Machi, Kana and Khengjoy Block, which was held at Gunpi Area Chiefs Association hall located at M Munpi village today.

Briefing media persons after the meeting, KCA Chandel president Sokhomang Haokip said that several civil society bodies of the district including Chandel District Joint Naga Kuki Committee and Chandel Naga People's Organization had strongly opposed setting up of new a designated camp in the district and several memoranda were also submitted to the State and Central Governments.

However, it is very unfortunate that the State Government has ignored the voice of the people of Chandel district and allowed the process of construction of a KNLF designated camp to continue under the supervision of 26 Sector Assam Rifles DIG despite opposition from several bodies, he lamented.

He also cautioned that if the State Government continues to ignore the voice of the people and fails to remove the said camp within 10 of this month, civil society bodies of the district would launch a series of intense agitations including National Highway bandh.

Further, the President also accused KNLF cadres of extortion and collecting taxes in collusion with Assam Rifles personnel from vehicles transporting timbers.

They also intimidated village Chiefs and civil society organization leaders for opposing setting up of new designated camp in the district, he alleged.

Expressing gratitude to the Ministry of Home Affairs, North East Division, Government of India for considering the voice of the people and issuing an order not to set up a designated camp at Simol village on May 23, 2014, Kuki People's Forum Chandel, president Jammang Baite questioned why 26 Sector Assam Rifles DIG Brig Rajiv Mankotia was so excited and interested in setting up the camp despite the Ministry order and opposition from the villagers.

He also questioned whether the claims of a faction of KNLF published on some local dailies were true.

Baite said that the faction had claimed that all the surrendered cadres are fake except two cadres - Lalmoi and Tilthang - who deserted the outfit.

All the surrendered cadres are fake including Helun Haokip, who is a proprietor of a rice hotel located at Paona Bazar and others are rickshaw pullers and daily labourers lured by the two deserted cadres for staging a fake surrender drama in collusion with the DIG 26 Sector Assam Rifles.

Baite further alleged that the reason for his interest in setting up a designated camp for surrendered KNLF cadres is to conceal the fake surrender drama, staged by the Assam Rifles.

The Forum President further warned that if the DIG 26 Sector Assam Rifles and the State Government do not change their stands and continue works to set up the designated camp, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) would be filed in the Court against them.

He further cautioned that any consequence arising out of the issue must be responsible by the DIG and State Government.

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