UPF not to back blockade called for Kuki State
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 13 2012: The United People's Front (UPF), which is a conglomerate of six kuki armed groups, has declared that it would not support the proposed indefinite public blockade call of Kuki State Demand Committee (KSDC) .

The Committee had yesterday declared that it would enforce blockade on all State and National highways from November 15 evening in pursuit of its demand for formation of a separate Kuki State.

Talking to The Sangai Express, UPF convenor Aron, terming the blockade call as untimely, said that such an agitation would cause great inconveniences to the general public in the festive season.

Declaring that UPF do not recognise KSDC, the convenor further asserted that it stands against the Committee's agenda to blockade all the highways passing through Kuki-inhabited areas of Manipur.

It is may be noted here that both the UPF and Kuki National Organisation, another conglomerate body of armed Kuki groups, are currently observing Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement with the Governments of India and Manipur to pave the way for holding political dialogue.

Consequent to the SoO agreement, the UPF had declared that Manipur's territorial boundary would not be distorted even though the Front is demanding a Kuki State (autonomy) within the state of Manipur while the KNO's main demand is carving out a separate State for the Kukis out of Kuki-inhabited areas of Manipur.

Even though there is slight technical variation in the demands of the two apex Kuki bodies both had agreed on forming a Core Committee to arrive at a consensus.

On the otherhand, KNO spokesperson Seilen told mediapersons at New Delhi on November 2 that no formal SoO agreement would be signed with the Government of India till the dialogue process begins.

The term of the pact is set to expire on November 22 .

However, Aron confided that both UPF and KNO will be formally signing the SoO agreement with the Centre on November 22 at Delhi.

He also asserted that UPF constituents UKLF, KNF, KRA (U), HPC (D), ZRO/ZRA and ZDV would not support the proposed indefinite public boycott call of KSDC.

The KSDC, meanwhile, had declared that the blockade will continue until and unless the Government provides a written assurance to the SoO signatories or the Committee to commence dialogue for creation of a separate Kuki State.

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