Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 18 2010:
The tense situation being faced by villagers of Leitanpokpi in Imphal East district has nothing to do with the Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA).
The unwanted situation was the creation of two deserters, villagers of Leitanpokpi and Assam Rifles of Sagolmang post, said KRA information and publicity secretary T Simte.
Speaking to media persons at their tactical Hqs this afternoon, he said that two Private cadres fled from the party taking with them one M 15 rifle and 100 live rounds some time back.
Not long after, they were involved in a brawl with villagers of Leitanpokpi in inebriated condition.
The deserters were overpowered by the villagers and handed over to Sagolmang AR post.
The two deserters were never arrested by Assam Rifles and Imphal East commandos in any operation, Simte stated categorically.
The two deserters who acted against the party's principle of peaceful co-existence among different communities of Manipur have been suspended from the party for creating a panicky situation at Leitanpokpi, the information and publicity secretary said.
Stating that KRA has no intention to bring any misunderstanding among different communities, he appealed to Leitanpokpi villagers for forgiveness for the unwanted situation created by the two rogue deserters.
There was no instance of making any demand of Rs 3 lakhs from Leitanpokpi villagers with the knowledge of the party's higher authority.
Nor there is any intention to make demands from the villagers in future too, Simte said.
He further appealed to the villagers to stop keeping vigil at night but relax peacefully without any sense of fear.
It is the wish of the KRA that all the Mongoloid people of the North East maintain cordial relations and work collectively on a common issue.
The party would always oppose all communal activities.
Taking part in the press meet, information and publicity secretary of the KLO/KLA Addy Kuki clarified that the party did not deduct any percentage of money from the staff and officials of Horticulture office, Chandel.
The KLO/KLA did not operate in Chandel.
The allegation about deduction of percentage was a baseless propaganda floated by some wily officials aimed at tarnishing image of the party, Addy Kuki asserted.
He further demanded that officials of the department should clarify on the matter.