Opinions divided on ouster of KNLF cadres from camp
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 15 2015 : Even as Sehao villagers � who fled their village few days back in the wake of the reported assault on five villagers and six labourers by KNLF cadres� refused to return demanding the permanent shifting of the KNLF camp, three neighbouring villages have insisted that the ousted KNLF cadres be brought back to their designated camp.

Urging the authority concerned to bring back KNLF cadres who were taken away from their designated camp at Semol, villagers of Semol, Maokot and Joupi in Chandel district have asserted that no other UG groups would be allowed to occupy the designated camp of KNLF.

At the same time, Sehao villagers who fled their village after an alleged assault on five villagers and six labourers on May 9 by KNLF cadres still refused to return to their village.

Both parties have presented their cases to a team of media persons who went there yesterday.

Speaking to reporters at Kemdo village, Joujam Haokip w/o Seimang Haokip, chief of Sehao village said that her villagers fled their village after five persons were beaten up by two KNLF cadres on May 9.The fleeing villagers have been provided shelter by the KSO at Khangbarol Block Office.

Sehao villagers had been extending possible assistance to the KNLF cadres since they occupied their designated camp.

The atrocities and alleged high-handedness of the KNLF would no longer be tolerated by the villagers after the assault incident, Joujam said.

She also added that the KNLF cadres have been continuously threatening her villagers of dire consequences aftermath the incident.

Asserting that there has been no peace since the KNLF cadres occupied their camp, Joujam urged the authority concerned to shift the designated camp of the KNLF away from Chandel district.

Meanwhile, chief of Semol village, Tilgoulen Haokip said that no UG groups would be allowed to occupy the camp of the KNLF unless they are relocated there.

He said that the village chiefs had at the beginning opposed the setting up of the designated camp.

However, they remained silent at the insistence of the Govt.Reversing their earlier stand, the chiefs started extending support to the KNLF when they took up various developmental projects in the area, he said.

Tilgoulen further said that the high command of the outfit had not authorised or sanctioned the two drunken cadres to beat up Sehao villagers on May 9.It was Sehao villagers who refused a peace deal aftermath the assault incident, he said.

The chief further said that his villagers, who refused to stay in their village after the KNLF cadres were taken away from their camp, are taking refuge at Khengjoy.

Likewise, the nearby Maokot village also wore a deserted look since the ouster of the KNLF cadres.

The chief also conveyed the villagers firm resolve not to return to their villages unless the KNLF cadres are brought back to their camp.

At the same time, womenfolk of Joupi and Khengjoy staged a sit-in yesterday demanding bringing KNLF cadres back to their camp.

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