KNA warned not to fan communal tension : CM
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 21 2010: The Joint Monitoring Group has sternly warned the leaders of KNA that action would be taken up if any of its cadres were found involved in inciting communal tension recently, in the border town of Moreh in violation of the ground rules of Suspension of Operation (SoO), Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh today informed the Assembly.

Drawing the attention of the Chief Minister, who is also in charge of Home, MLA RK Anand of MPP raised a call attention motion in connection with alleged intimidation and threats by the KNA, which is a signatory of SoO, on the people of Moreh.

A file picture of Moreh during the bandh called to protest the threats of the KNA

MLA Anand pointed out that the recent attempt made by armed cadres of KNA to abduct leaders of Meitei Council, Moreh (MCM) from their respective houses and intimidation of the people has heightened communal tension in the border town.

Suggesting a policy to bring about a permanent solution to the recurring communal problem in Moreh, the MLA also stressed on the need to re-examine how a UG outfit like KNA which is based in Myanmar has been included in SoO.

In response to the call attention motion, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh informed the House that the IGP Intelligence, who is part of the Joint Monitoring Group has already communicated and warned the leaders of KNA that action would be taken up if any of its armed cadres were found involved in the July 13 night incident.

Quoting intelligence reports, the Chief Minister said that on July 13 night, around 5 to 6 armed cadres of KNA tried to abduct the secretary of Meitei Council Moreh from his house after one KNA cadre who was earlier abducted by one valley based UG group managed to escape.

In an apparent act of vengeance, suspected KNA cadres tried to abduct the MCM leaders.

But the Meira Paibis foiled the abduction bid.

Following the complaint lodged by MCM, police have registered a case.

The bandh imposed in Moreh town against the incident has also been subsequently lifted after a joint meeting of the community leaders and normalcy has started returning in Moreh.

Police have also started an investigation into the incident and the situation has now been brought under complete control after the Army intensifies patrolling, the Chief Minister said.

The Chief Minister further assured that House that a meeting of the Joint Monitoring Group has been convened on July 31 to see whether there was any violation of the SoO ground rules from the part of KNA.

If any of the armed cadres of the outfit were found involved in the incident in violation of the ground rules, then action would be surely initiated, the Chief Minister said, adding that his Government strongly condemned any act of abduction or killing by UG groups.