Imphal, March 10 2009: The recent murder of the Kasom Khullen SDO and his staff would have been motivated or necessitated by an evil intention to remove any obstacle from the collaborative design/attempt of NSCN (IM) and the then Ukhrul DC Pankaj Kumar Pal to loot large amounts of public money.

Recalling that NSCN (IM) undertook a campaign of ethnic cleansing in their drive to unite Nagas of Manipur in which other tribes, particularly Kukis were targeted in Ukhrul, Senapati, Tamenglong and Chandel districts, the UNLF noted that the NSCN (IM) dictated the broad framework regarding which tribes should be encompassed within the Naga family.

Another activity of NSCN (IM) is making malicious propaganda against Meiteis.

The NSCN (IM) has been persistently poisoning the minds of hill people to create deep-rooted hatred of Meiteis.

Even then, such propaganda could not succeed in obliterating the conscience of Naga public.

However, there are cadres within NSCN (IM) harbouring an intention to take revenge against Meiteis under influence of their leaders.

Such intention was reflected vividly during the recent triple murder and release of the three Tangkhuls unharmed even as all the six employees were abducted together, the UNLF observed.

On the other side, it is becoming more and more clear that the Meiteis harbour no hatred or antipathy against Nagas or any ethnic group.

Even as the Manipur Legislative Assembly building was burnt down during the forceful people's movement of June 18, 2001 challenging the Government of India, not a single Naga people was harmed.

This was a clear testimony to the fact that the people of Manipur have no communal ill-feelings, the UNLF noted.

Observing that both the hill and valley people have not fallen to the conspiracy of the NSCN (IM) aimed at sparking off a colossal clash between Nagas and Meiteis in their pursuit to break up Manipur, the UNLF asserted that the evil design of NSCN (IM) to incite communal clash allegedly with tacit support of the Government of India will never succeed in Manipur.

Because social structure of Manipur and its neighbouring states is a united but tiny structure of small ethnic groups.

Besides, these groups have been living together since time immemorial on the same soil, the UNLF observed.

After it fell into the trap of peace talk, NSCN (IM) has been at the receiving end of the Government of India's persistent sedative propaganda which was always accompanied by generous provision of money.

Eventually, this led to ruptures in the outfit's chain of command, the UNLF alleged.

Forgetting the goal of Naga liberation movement, NSCN (IM) leaders have sunk into the corrupt system of Indian state.

With their attention focused on contract works and supplies, many NSCN (IM) leaders have already built/bought luxurious houses at Dimapur and Ukhrul.

But this also bred serious dissent among the rank and file of the organisation.

As such, unity within the structure of the NSCN (IM) is also breaking down, alleged Yoiheiba.

The culprits of the recent triple murder - Lt Col Ningshen, town commander Apho Sibo and Major Ashang cannot be perceived simply as black sheep in the NSCN (IM).

Besides being important officers of the NSCN (IM), they were earlier promoted to high ranks for their ability to exercise 'power' against Kukis and Meiteis, the UNLF asserted.

As against the NSCN (IM)'s assurance that the culprits will be punished under their own rules, people of Ukhrul district have been demanding that the culprits be punished under Tangkhul customary law while many other sections have been demanding punishment under the law of the State Government.

All these voices from different sections of the society indicate that the people's perception of NSCN (IM) is that of militant group devoid of any political principle, the UNLF alleged.

Calling upon the people to examine the motives and implications of the triple murder, the outfit appealed to the people to continue their movement until necessary steps are taken up to deliver justice.

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