IMPHAL, March 29: The 16th raising day of United Kuki Liberation Front (UKLF) was celebrated at its designated camp, Nazareth (Muvanphoi), Khanborol, Chandel district.
The celebration was grace by chief guest, Anthony, home secretary, UKLF while Janglet Haokip, chairman, Kuki (Khulmi) Development Council, Demand Committee (KDC) attended as special invitee.
Further the celebration was also attended by chiefs of different villages of the Chandel district, Kuki People Forum, Kuki Women for Human Rights, KSO Chandel, Thadou Students’ Association (TSA), Thadou Tribe Council (TCC).
At the same time a large number of villagers settling nearby also turned up to join the raising day celebration.
After unfurling the outfits’ flag by the chief guest, a parade was also displayed by the cadres of the outfit (Kuki Army).
The chief guest in his speech enlightened the people on the development and progress of the ongoing Suspension of Operation (SoO).
Besides that, musical extravaganza performed by various local artist and cadres of the outfit, presentation of gifts to village elders and chiefs marked the day.
A press briefing was also held on the sideline of the day, by the organization secretary UKLF and convener of the United Peoples’ Front (UPF) an umbrella organization of various Kuki Militants, TL. Jacob Haokip.
TL Jacob Haokip while greeting the people especially the Chin Kuki Mizo community and all the Kuki militants on the occasion of the Raising day, has decried the delay of the government for failure to initiate a political dialogue till date.He said that the two umbrella groups United Peoples’ Front (UPF) and Kuki National Organisation (KNO) representing a number of Kuki militant officially signed the SoO since August 22, 2008. The Kuki militant signed the tripartite pact to have a political dialogue but the much hyped demand is not in sight rather then pointing out the loop holes of ground rule violation, he said.
Amidst such circumstances the authority concerned is playing a diplomatic role by holding Joint Monitoring Group meeting separately for both the outfits. Even though the two umbrella bodies have signed the tripartite pact they have the privilege to meet together with the government only in Delhi for extending the SoO pact.
The government has been expressing their desire for the unification of both the umbrella group but they have been creating misunderstanding amongst us including the public, “If they want us together, we want arrangement of Political dialogue with the governments together with UPF and KNO on the same table” he added.
TL. Jacob Haokip, while noting the welfare schemes for the militants, maintained that the UKLF had never received the remuneration of rupees 5000 per leaders of the cadres moreover the 3000 remuneration needs to be upgraded as announced in government media. Besides that the Government must provide all basic requirements for the maintenance of the camps and cadres if they desire the militant groups not to venture out frequently, he said.
On the other hand, reiterating its demands of setting up of Kuki (Khulmi) Development Council, he revealed that a written statement has been submitted to the Prime Minister’s Office and Home Minister. According to him the KDC is a relevant demand bound under the SoO adding he demand serious and urgent attention to consider the KDC.
The current strength of the outfit as recognized by the government is 143 armed cadres.
