Imphal, August 28: Setting the record straight on the opposition to shifting of Khengjoi block office to Khangbarol by chief of Khengjoi village Thongkhothang, chairman of Dingpi Area Kuki Chief Association, Khengjoi Block Khupkhosei Haokip has asserted that the decision to shift the Block office was the aspiration of all the village chiefs under the block.

On the other hand, denouncing the allegation of Thongkhothang Haokip, Kuki armed outfit UKLF has clarified that it has not given any idea or instigated any organisation in connection with shifting of the Khengjoi Block office from Khengjoi village to Khangbarol village.

Addressing a press conference in this connection at Molnoi village in Chandel district today, Khupkhosei Haokip said the claim made by Khengjoi village chief that the move of shifting the block offices from Khengjoi village to Khangbarol village is being made at the behest of some vested interested people was complete hogwash and baseless.

Recalling that a joint meeting of all the village chiefs under the block was held on August 10 at Songyang village, Khupkhosei Haokip pointed out that the decision to shift the block offices was taken by all the village chiefs in the said meeting.

The village chief of Khengjoi was also invited to the meeting, but he did not turn up, Khupkhosei added.

Speaking up against the joint decision of the Dingpi Area Chiefs' Association, Border Area Chiefs' Association and Khengjoi Block Chiefs' Association amounts to speaking out only in one's own interest, Khupkhosei said, adding that the decision of shifting the block offices had been taken in consideration of public welfare and development and it has nothing to do with pressures from any armed UG groups.

Coming out strongly against the stand of Khengjoi village chief Thongkhothang Haokip on the issue, Khupkhosei Haokip described the former as a self-centred person who had even sold off the office of SDC Khengjoi Block and staff quarters for his own benefit.

On the other hand, secretary of department of information and public relations of UKLF James Bond Thadou has clarified that the outfit is not involved in the demand for shifting of the Khengjoi Block office from Khengjoi village to Khangbarol village.

Talking to mediapersons at Molnoi village today, James Bond strongly condemned the allegation levelled by Khengjoi Village chief Thongkhothang Haokip that it was the idea and at the instigation of UKLF that the move of shifting the block office is being made.

UKLF had not given any idea or instigated any organisation in this regard.

However, UKLF would always welcome any move related to development of the people and the area, James Bond added.

Denouncing Thongkhothang Haokip as a village chief who does not like to see development taking place in the area, James Bond said that UKLF would not forgive such anti-development persons and all others who are ally to Thongkhothang should snap ties with him with immediate effect from today.

Otherwise, UKLF would not also spare them.

He also appealed to the people not to give shelter to such persons who are against development activities of the Kuki community.

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