IMPHAL, July 17: Clarifying on the July 15 shootout between the 43rd Assam Rifles and the Kuki Revolutionary Army which left one of the militant dead, Kuki National Front general secretary said the gun fight occurred while the KRA cadres were trying to kill him.
“Armed cadres of KRA equipped with highly sophisticated weapons numbering around 16 came to Haipi village and surrounded my residence at around 12:30 am on July 15” said KNF general secretary Aaron Kuki.
He was talking to media persons at the Ebenezer camp today.
Providing a further insight on the gun-fight, Aaron Kuki who is also the convenor of the UPF representatives for political dialogue said, “The KRA cadres after surrounding his residence during the night shouted for him to surrender himself”
Later on they entered his residence and took away his PSO after opening fire inside the house and thrashing his wife and housemaids, he continued.
He continued, “In the nick of the time, 43 Assam Rifles under the command of Major Marathe arrived on the spot at which the KRA cadres fired volley of bullets on the AR troop”.
“In retaliatory firing from the AR, one of the KRA cadre with full combat dress was shot dead”.
The KNF gen secretary’s PSO meanwhile, managed to escape before reaching the KRA hideout at Haijang village near Kangpokpi.
Meanwhile, the KNF gen sec lamented on the unexpected incidents and further questioned the central and state governments whether the Suspension of Order really exists.
He also added that the life attempt made by KRA on the KNF general secretary is a gross violation of SoO ground rules and a heinous crime.
He further appealed to the authority concern to take necessary and immediate action in accordance with the SoO ground rules and the law of the land for the sake of Peace and Harmony, without which the KNF would be compelled to defend by themselves.
The militant general secretary also conveyed the outfit’s gratitude to the AR.