KLO/KLA celebrates 'reformation day' anniversary
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 20 2011:
Kuki Liberation Organisation (KLO) along with its armed wing Kuki Liberation Army (KLA) celebrated the 12th 'Reformation Day' on December 17 at its Gamnom Camp with RGOK/KRA chairman M David Hangsing and KLO-KLA president L Jacob Kuki gracing the occasion as the chief guest and president respectively.
The celebration was also joined by representatives of Kuki Inpi, KSO and various other NGOs.
Addressing the gathering, KLO/KLA general secretary L Timothy Kuki said lack of unity and committed leaders had been the main factor for the downfall of the Kukis.
Recounting that along with the fall of the british empire several nations regained independence but such sovereign status eluded the Kuki people due to absence of sincere leaders and unity, said the secretary and cited lack of unity as the main factor for the erstwhile sovereign Kukis consequently losing their lands to India, Burma, Bangladesh and Manipur.
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After India gained independence gifting away of Kabow Valley to Burma by the first Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru in 1952 reduced the Kukis to a minority in their own land, maintained Timothy adding that despite efforts of some visionary Kuki leaders to protect their own lands by forming Kuki Liberation Organisation at a convention held in 1988 at Taphou village, aspiration of the Kuki people is yet to materialise.
He further stated that in the aftermath of the violent clash between the Kukis and Nagas in the early 1990s, a meeting hosted by the village chief of Molnom on November 20, 1994 resulted in the revival of the KLO along with forming its armed wing KLA, which had 150 cadres in the formative period under the command of TL Kuki.
However, the Organisation disintegrated consequently leading to reformation of KLO in 1999, conveyed Timothy.
clarifying that KLO/KLA has no intention to form a new nation of the Kukis or grab the land of others, he affirmed that aim and objectives of KLO/KLA is to protect land and properties of the Kuki people along with promoting peace in the region.
Timothy also appealed to like-minded organisations for a concerted campaign to restore emotional and territorial unity of the Kukis.