Meet denounces bid to relocate UNLF-P post
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, February 18 2024:
Locals of Pukhao convened a public meeting at Pukhao Laipham community on Sunday and adopted a resolution against reported attempt to relocate cadres of the Pambei-led United National Liberation Front (UNLF), which is in a ceasefire agreement with the government, from atop Nongsum Ching.
In connection with Assam Rifles' warning to cadres of the Pambei-led UNLF to leave the hills in Nongsum Meetei village, which has been one of the points from where armed Kukis had been raining bullets and bombs since May 3 last, a meeting was held at Pukhao Laipham community hall on Sunday.
During the meeting, the gathering adopted resolutions against the removal of cadres of the UNLF from atop Nongsum Ching and for the people to deal with any attempts of removal.
In this regard, Meira Paibi Thokchom Bijayata said that when Kuki militants launched attacks on the Meetei villages, AR, despite promises to protect them, have feigned ignorance.
As such, it has been difficult to carry out farming activities in the area, she conveyed, adding that more Kuki bunkers are being built in the area and the attacks continued ceaselessly, which ceased to a certain degree due to presence of the UNLF cadres.
Thus, any attempt to remove cadres of the Pambei-led UNLF will not be acceptable to the villagers, she cautioned, adding that the Kuki militants are encroaching on Meetei's land taking undue advantage of inaction by the AR.
The Pambei-led United National Liberation Front had signed a ceasefire agreement with the Union government last November.
Led by Kh Pambei, the UNLF on November 29, 2023 became the first armed group dominated by the Meetei community to enter into a ceasefire agreement with the government and agreed to renounce violence.
The ceasefire agreement was expected to bring an end to hostilities between UNLF and security forces which have claimed precious lives on both sides over the last more than half a century and also provide an opportunity to address the longstanding concerns of the community.
The UNLF, established in 1964, has been active both within and outside Indian territory.
Since 2014, the Centre has signed agreements with several armed groups in the Northeast to quell militancy and foster development.
Additionally, a Suspension of Operations (SoO) with 21 Kuki-dominated groups has been ongoing since 2008 to ensure peace in Manipur's hilly regions.
The Manipur government's unilateral withdrawal from the SoO in March due to allegations of encroachment on forest land by two Kuki-dominated insurgent groups, has not been endorsed by the Centre.