KSO, Kuki CSOs set 36 hours deadline, threaten to call general strike
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 18 2020: Demanding the State Government to arrest the NSCN (IM) cadres allegedly involved in the burning of numerous houses at Chassad village (Kamjong district) on March 1, Kuki Students' Organization (KSO) and numerous Kuki CSOs have threatened to call a general strike from the midnight of March 20, apart from launching other forms of intense agitation.

The warning was sounded by KSO, general headquarters president Paotinthang Lupheng and Kuki Inpi, Manipur (KIM) president Khaimang Chongloi during a press meet at KIM office, Kuki Inn today.

Speaking to media persons, Khaimang Chongloi claimed that there are photos and videos of NSCN (IM) cadres being involved in the violence which occurred on the night of March 16 at Chassad village.

Moreover, on January 24 last year, GPRN Central Administrative Officer, Wung Tangkhul Region had sent a notice to the Chassad village chief directing against cutting and burning trees at Laijangphai, which is the disputed land between Chassad village and Sampui village.

Then on March 15, it was found that the said area had been set on fire by some unidentified individuals, he said, alleging that the involved individuals will most probably be NSCN (IM) cadres as it was done not long after the notice was served to Chassad village chief.

Khaimang continued that irate villages of Chassad called a bandh that same day after finding that the field had been burned.

However, a large number of people belonging to another community came and demanded the bandh to be called off which led to some heated arguments between both sides.

Them on the night of March 16, a large number of people along with NSCN (IM) cadres came and burned numerous houses of Chassad village, he alleged.

Informing that Kuki Inpi and many other Kuki CSO members visited the affected site at Chassad village yesterday, Khaimang said that more than 200 houses were razed to the ground and many vehicles and properties were lost as well.

He then praised the Government for sending in a team of Cabinet Minister to assess the situation as soon as news broke out, and appealed to the Government to make good on its promises to aid the affected people of Chassad village.

Saying that KIM and the Kuki CSOs warmly welcome the appeal by various associations to refrain from adding any communal side to the incident, the KIM president asserted that all the Kuki CSOs also desire the communities residing in Manipur to live in peace and harmony.

However, he said that KIM will never accept any claims that NSCN (IM) was not involved in the March 16 incident On the other hand, KSO general headquarters president Paotinthang Lupheng alleged that NSCN (IM) tried to establish a camp at the disputed area of Laijangphai village and in the process, sent many summons to Chassad village and also led the mob attack.

Setting a deadline of 36 hours before the State Government to catch the involved NSCN (IM) cadres, he warned that if the Government fails to heed the demand, then Kuki CSOs will call a State wide general strike from the midnight of March 20.The Kuki CSOs will also launch various other forms of intense agitation, he cautioned.

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