Lamka, June 03: The Thangting Areas Chiefs Association today clarified that it has no links whatsoever with any armed group and dismisses the allegation that it was working collectively with KNF (MC) in thrashing Kangathei villagers of Samulamlan TD block under CCpur District.

Addressing a press conference today, TACA Chairman Henjasei Haokip appealed to all individuals and organizations to refrain from meddling on the affairs of the chiefs and clarified for once and for all on the Kangathei skirmishes.

He said undue interference on the functioning of village chief and attempts made by some vested interest to form a separate committee to outstrip the chief are at its root cause.

But, denied that it has any hand in thrashing of Kangathei villagers allegedly by KNF (MC) cadres.

The chiefs' association chairman also said that TACA is fanatical in preserving the rights of its members which they have been enjoying since time immemorial, and that it will not tolerate any undue interference in this regard.

He further refuted the claimed of some section of the media that NREGS in Churachandpur was in turmoil and clarified that the ailment in NREGS scheme, if so, transpires only in Kangathei village and not in all the villages of Churachandpur.

The TACA also appealed to all to desist from meddling in the course of implementing the employment guarantee scheme (NREGS), which it hails for benefiting the masses and developing the area.

Speaking also to the media, Kangathei village chief and TACA secretary L Achung Kom expressed his ignorance with regard to demand for ransom or Job cards as was alleged.

''The misunderstanding transpires merely because a section of the villagers try to override their village chief'', he said.

''�I have so far awarded wages for 44 days of the 50 days allotted to the village,'', he went on and added, ''�If mutual understanding could be reached I am ready to doll out the remaining wages too.'' Wages for the remaining six days were withheld due to the current standoff, he said.

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