Displaced Sehao villagers return; torch KNLF camp
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Gyanand Naorem
Kakching, May 19 2015 :
After fleeing home and taking shelter at Khangbarol BDO Office complex, the villagers of Selhao Village in Chandel District returned to home and burnt down the dismantled camp of Kuki National Liberation Front on Tuesday.
They have fled their home on May 9 after some armed cadres of KNLF brutally beat up some villagers including the village Chief and other 6 labourers engaged in construction of PMGSY Road besides threatening to kill if they informed the army .
Following the removal of KNLF Cadres from Simol and pulling down of the camp the villagers of Selhao returned to their village along with their meagre belongings after taking shelter at Khangbarol temporary relief camp for more than a week.
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Soon after reaching their village, the Selhao Villagers including women went down towards Simol village and burnt down what remains of the camp.
However, the property of Simol Village including the Village Community Hall located inside the camp and livestock of the armed outfit were left untouched by the Selhao villagers.
Speaking to media persons a woman of Selhao village said that the dismantled camp of KNLF was burnt down by them to show discontentment for frequently torturing them.
Since setting up of KNLF Camp at Simol, the villagers were gripped with fear as the armed cadres of the outfit ventured out and tortured innocent villagers, she added.
Seikhomang Haokip, Chief of Selhao also expressed gratitude the District Administration Chandel, KSO, TSA and all the Officers and personnel of 6 Dogra Regiment for their assistance towards the selhao villagers.
Kuki Chiefs Association clarifies
Apropos to the news item published in the Imphal based Eveninger under the headline, "KSO threatens bandh" on May 19 associated with shifting of KNO/KNLF Camp from Semol to KNO Harmon Camp Chehlep, the Kuki Chiefs' Association (Tengnoupal and Machi Sub.Division) has clarified that that they "do not have the slightest idea about that press statement" .
The shifting of KNLF Camp from Semol comes at the directives of the Government of India through the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) NE Division, said a press release issued by Chairman Thangbul Haokip and Secretary Senpu Haokip.
The association appreciated the shifting KNLF/KNO from Semol for the sake of peace and tranquillity of the area and hoped that surrendered KNLF/KNO cadres will be further shifted to a place other than Chandel district preferably existing KNO area for the sake of peace, harmony or for that matter common good of all the stake holders.
The statement also said that without mutual agreement or consensus, "let no one issue such irresponsible press statement pertaining to the threatening of peaceful co-existence of our area in future, in our name" .