KNLF clears air on camp row
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 24 2014 : Contending that the designated camp being constructed at Semol village under Khengjoy sub-division of Chandel district has the consent of the Ministry of Home Affairs, State Government and the village chief, the Kuki National Liberation Front (KNLF) has called upon all the people not to take in the false propaganda of UKLF.

Speaking to media persons at a Chandel district area today, KNLF secretary Tonglenlal Haokip alias Lalmoi said that KNLF joined the umbrella organisation KNO as its 15th constituent when the latter signed SoO extension agreement on August 30, 2013 .

Subsequently KNLF signed a tripartite SoO pact with the Government of India and Government of Manipur on September 9, 2013 at 1st MR Banquet Hall.

Ministry of Home Affairs, North East Division gave its consent to build a designated camp of KNLF at Semol on March 25 this year.

Earlier on January 21, the Semol village submitted a representation to the Principal Secretary (Home) for opening a designated camp of KNLF at the village.

KNLF secretary Tonglenlal Haokip speaking to the media

Then the Additional Secretary (Home) sent a letter to the outfit on May 3 informing that the designated camp may be constructed, Lalmoi said.

Accordingly, 40 cadres of KNLF who were accommodated at the Moreh post of 9 Assam Rifles shifted to Semol on May 11.Then they started building the camp at the outfit's expense.

However, the UKLF started making many false charges against KNLF.

They also instigated village chiefs of the area who started making an uproar over the matter since May 17 .

KNLF cadres never harassed any villager nor did anything which may disturb tranquillity of the area.

The villagers and the cadres are cooperating with other, claimed Lalmoi.

On the other hand, no UKLF cadre is present in Khengjoy sub-division.

They have moved to Sugnu and Chakpikarong sub-division, he asserted.

UKLF Unit-III PRO Augustine Khongsai summoned all the office bearers of Kana Area Chiefs' Association and Gunpi Area Chiefs' Association to Sugnu on May 22.The notification issued by Augustine threatened village chiefs with penalty including fine of Rs 10,000 in case they did not turn up, Lalmoi alleged while claiming that a copy of the same notification is in their possession.

UKLF forced the village chiefs to raise a strong voice of objection against opening KNLF's camp at Semol apart from dictating the chiefs to stage a protest demonstration on the same day.

Both the Kana Area Chiefs' Association and Gunpi Area Chiefs' Association are formed by chiefs of villages located within Chakpikarong sub-division.

They have nothing to do with Khengjoy sub-division.

As such, the Government need not pay undue attention to the voice of objection raised by the two associations at the instigation of a third party, Lalmoi said.

Chandel Naga People's Organisation has no relevance to the Semol camp.

What CNPO has been shouting is manifestation of their childish nature.

KNLF too has the capacity to summon village chiefs and take their signatures but the outfit respects all village chiefs.

Unlike the UKLF, KNLF has no intention to dictate terms to village chiefs in their own interest.

KNLF does not see UKLF as its enemy.

It signed the SoO pact in order to bring peace and development in Khengjoy sub-division after shedding violence.

The outfit would never violate SoO ground rules, Lalmoi asserted.

There is no such terminology like 'area dominated by UG groups'.

All areas should be under the domination of central security forces or State security forces.

The UKLF's allegation of opening KNLF camp within their area was surprising.

UKLF's assertion that only 7 Kms separate their camp from KNLF's camp was not true.

The two camps are separated by around 15 Kms, Lalmoi said.

There was no case of extortion from truck owners or saw mills of Khengjoy area by KNLF.

All the cadres are now confined at Semol and they have been engaged in the camp construction work.

The secretary further clarified that Holkam alias Luis s/o Tilkhosei is a deserter who has snapped all connection with the outfit.

However, Thangkholun s/o Tiljang is now at Semol camp.

He once again appealed to all the people not to buy the false propaganda of UKLF.