KNO reasserts demand for Kuki state
Source: Hueiyen News Service /UNA

Imphal, July 25 2012: Kuki National Organisation (KNO), a Kuki militant group which is under Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement with the Government, has reasserted its demand for a separate "Kuki land" for enjoying "Kukis rights" .

Speaking at Martyrs' Day function of KNA at its designated camp Hermon Camp at Chehlep village in Chandel district, about 80 kms from here yesterday, home secretary of KNO Anton Kuki reiterated Kukis' demand for a separate Kuki land, which he said is a dream of Kukis in Manipur.

However, he did not elaborate on what would constitute Kuki land, but went on to say that "if Kukis do not have a separate land for proper administration they would not enjoy and exercise their rights" .

A Kuki National Front, another militant group under SoO pact which is now in a designated camp in Senapati district has also raised similar demand for a Kuki state, comprising more than half of Manipur total geographical area.

"The seeds of Kuki land have been sown and they will germinate.

One day we will reap the fruits," added.

Homage being paid to departed KNA cadres

KNA is the military wing of the KNO, which is one of more than 20 Kuki militant groups having signed SoO with the government.

The martyrs' day function was organized to pay respect to 167 cadres of the group who died in between 1990 and 2012 .

Senior leaders of other SoO signatory groups and relatives of the slain KNA cadres attended the function during which gun salutes were given to the departed cadres of the group.

Relatives from other districts came in bus and other vehicles to attend the function.

The president of Kuki Inpi, Myanmar Khailun Haokip also attended the programme.

A Kuki female singer from Tamu, Myanmar, Ng.

Lhainei performed during the function.

Assam Rifle, police personnel and India Reserve Battalion personnel were deployed along the route to the camp in view of the Martyrs' Day observance.

However, those coming to attend the programme were allowed to proceed.

Armed with sophisticated weapons cadres of the KNA guarded the spacious camp to ensure nothing untoward happened during the function and the day of mourning.

It may be noted that KNO was founded in the year 1988 and the KNA's commander-in-chief Thangkholun Haokip went to Kachin to get guerrilla warfare training from Kachin Independent Army of Myanmar.

Thangkholun was assassinated by rivals on July 24, 1992 .

The martyrs' day is observed every year on the day Thangkholun was killed.

The KNA is demanding separate Kuki states both in India and Myanmar.

Before signing the suspension of operation agreement KNA cadres carried out attacks on security forces both in Myanmar and Manipur.