Imphal, February 24: The gunning down of Kuki Revolutionary Army's (KRA) PRO Haopao Chongloi along with four students at Thangal Surung Tera Makhong by activists of KLA/KNA on February 22 has been strongly condemned by the KRA.

Conveying the outfit's condolence on the leader's massacre as well slaying of the four youths and strongly flaying the KLA/KNA action, information and publicity secretary (KRA) Th Misao reiterated his earlier contention that Haopao went to the AR camp at Mantripukhri on that fateful day to discuss the Suspension of Ope-ration parameter.

Confiding that the ageing Haopao was appointed as KRA PRO to sustain cordiality between the KRA and Central security forces and used to occasionally visit AR camps, Misao opined that the AR betraying the relationship and utilising KLA/KNA manpower to eliminate the KRA link-man cannot be totally ruled out.

Asserting that information gathered from the incident site and comments from the locals clearly indicate Haopao and four students were tortured and done to death even as the youths pleaded innocence, Misao insisted that the gruesome act was carried out jointly by the KLA-KNA activists.

Recalling that condolence message of KNO president PS Haokip on the assassination of KRA leader K Hangshing also mentioned of KNO harbouring no enmity against outfits under the UPF conglomerate, the KRA functionary cautioned the recent killing of Haopao and the students would only impede the Kuki nationalism movement besides reflecting parochial mentality on the part of the perpetrators.

Stating that KRA is capable enough to hunt down hundreds of KLA/KNA activists entrusted in non-combat activities at will but would never indulge in such inhumane acts, Misao reminded that Kukis took up arms in pursuit of goal of nationalism and not to turn the guns upon civilians or soft targets.

Disclosing that KRA had been striving to assist students in Saikul area pursue their academic aspiration and excel in their chosen field by ensuring teachers' regularity and prohibiting use of unfair means by students, he dared KLA/KNA to justify killing of the four students which Misao termed as premature termination of Kuki society's future pillars.

He also grimly noted the KNA shifting blame to the KLA for the killings and advised such despicable methodology do not merit either of the armed outfits from being classified as revolutionary organisations.