KNF reiterates Union Territory stance on its 37th Raising Day
Source: The Sangai Express
Kangpokpi, May 18 2024:
The Kuki National Front, or the KNF, the mother organisation of the Kuki armed militant groups, declared a potent political statement during its 37th Raising Day commemoration today at S Molnom Village in Kangpokpi district.
Thirty-seven years back, on May 18, 1987, KNF was founded in Molnoi village, Myanmar.
It became the oldest and mother organization of the Kuki militant groups not only in Manipur but in the entire North East India.
The year 1988 marked the first anniversary, or Raising Day, of the outfit.
Founded by the late Nehlun Kipgen, the Kuki National Front entered into a tripartite agreement, the Suspension of Operation (SoO), under the umbrella of the 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, the Kuki National Front declared its readiness and preparedness to respond decisively against trespassers crossing the sensitive zones with the intent to harm or attack areas dominated by the Kuki-Zo on its 37th Rising Day.
"We will now decisively respond to anyone crossing the buffer zones with malicious intentions to harm or attack our people or to seize our land," asserted Aaron Kipgen, General Secretary of KNF while addressing the gathering commemorating the SoO signatory's 37th Raising Day.
The organization also reiterated its stance for Separate Administration in the form of a Union Territory with legislative power for the kindred tribes of the entire Kuki-Zo community during the commemoration.
Aaron Kipgen further said that it's been 16 long years since we came under the Suspension of Operations while having political talks with the Government, though the political issues are yet to be addressed.
He appealed to his people to remain steadfast in prayer and faith in the Constitution and Judiciary of India.
The 37th Kuki National Front Raising Day commemoration was also attended by Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills, and tribes organisations leaders, student bodies, women organisations, Sadar Hills Chiefs' Association, Committee on Tribal Unity Sadar Hills, apart from various other Kuki-Zo civil society organisations.
Rev Mangcha Tuboi, Pastor, KBC Salem Saparmeina attended as the Minister of the event, while various prominent Kuki-Zo leaders also spoke on the occasion.