KNO approves formation of 'Kuki Army'
Source: Chronicle News Service / Kaimuanthang Mangte
CCpur, June 30 2024:
The Kuki National Organisation (KNO), one of the groups under Suspension of Operation (SoO), held its 6th convention on June 28 and 29 and unanimously approved the agreement signed on November 20, 2023 by all the 17 armed groups under KNO to form an organic body called the 'Kuki Army' .
Apart from informing this, KNO spokesperson Dr Seilen Haokip told media persons on Sunday that the convention also resolved that department concerned of the organisation shall take up poppy eradication drives under the supervision of home secretary in consultation with CSOs.
The convention also resolved that special attention shall be given to strengthen relation and coordination with CSOs and public, he noted.
On upgrade of demand from Territorial Council to Union Territory by SoO groups, Dr Seilen said it is due to necessity.
All the SoO groups have been in dialogue with the Central government since 2008 and formation of self-government expressed as Autonomous Territorial Council (ATC) within the state of Manipur is the key demand of the groups.
Before the talks/demands could be concluded with the government, unfortunately on May 3, 2023 wide spread disruption in the state happened.
Elaborating his point, Dr Seilen said the demand for ATC was right as it is within the state of Manipur for proper development and progress of the state.
According to Dr Seilen Haokip, the state has Autonomous District Council (ADC) but it does not meet developmental and welfare aspirations of the people.
As such, SoO groups want to elevate ADC to ATC and talks in this regard went peacefully until May 3, 2023, he said adding that the demand for Union Territory is under Article 239A of the Indian Constitution and talks in this regard with the government were going on very smoothly and on the right direction.
On the question of tagging Kuki-Zomi people as 'illegal immigrants', Dr Seilen Haokip said it was a misnomer and further explained by saying that some people fled and took shelter in Manipur and other states of the North East because of fear os being killed or atrocities from the Military Junta government in Burma.