KNF reiterates SA demand on Raising Day
Source: Chronicle News Service
Kangpokpi, May 18 2024:
Kuki National Front (KNF), the mother organisation of Kuki armed militant groups, has reiterating the demand for a separate administration in the form of a Union Territory during its 37th Raising Day commemoration held at S Molnom Village in Kangpokpi district on Saturday.
Thirty-seven years ago, on May 18, 1987, KNF was founded in Molnoi village, Myanmar.
It became the oldest and primary organization of Kuki militant groups not only in Manipur but also in the entire Northeast India.
The year 1988 marked the first anniversary, or Raising Day, of the outfit.
Founded by late Nehlun Kipgen, KNF entered into a tripartite agreement, the Suspension of Operation (SoO), under the umbrella of United People's Front (UPF) with the state government and the Government of India on August 22, 2008.Reaffirming its commitment to protect and defend its people and land from any aggression or atrocities, KNF declared its readiness and preparedness to respond decisively against trespassers crossing the buffer zones with the intent to harm or attack areas dominated by Kuki-Zo on its 37th Raising Day.
"We will decisively respond to anyone crossing the buffer zones with malicious intention to harm or attack our people or to seize our land", asserted Aaron Kipgen, General Secretary of KNF while addressing the gathering.
Aaron Kipgen, who is also the spokesperson of United People's Front (UPF), emphasised the relevance of 'Buffer Zones' and urged all stakeholders to respect this 'mechanism of deterrence' between the two geographical divides; the Hills, occupied by the Kuki-Zo, and the Valley, predominantly occupied by the Meetei community.
The organisation also reiterated its stance for a separate administration in the form of a Union Territory with legislative power for the kindred tribes of the entire Kuki-Zo community.
Aaron Kipgen further said that it's been 16 long years since the organisation came under the Suspension of Operations while having political talks with the Government, though its vexed political issues are yet to be addressed.
He urged Kuki-Zo people to give one more chance to the new Government that will be formed in June, as he expressed his belief that the political dialogue will be expedited after the new Government is formed and a political solution will soon be achieved.
He also expressed his belief that democracy will triumph over tyranny and justice will prevail over lawlessness while emphasising that true freedom is being able to call a place our own, and that there will be no peace without a political solution for the Kuki-Zo.
He finally appealed to his people to remain steadfast in prayer and faith in the Constitution and Judiciary of India.
The 37th KNF Raising Day commemoration was also attended by Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills and tribes organisation's leaders, student bodies, women organisations, Sadar Hills Chiefs' Association, Committee on Tribal Unity Sadar Hills, apart from various other Kuki-Zo civil society organisations.
KBC Salem Saparmeina pastor reverend Mangcha Tuboi attended as minister of the event, while prominent Kuki-Zo leaders also spoke at the occasion.
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