IMPHAL, May 24: The Kuki National Liberation Front (KNLF) has alleged that the protest carried out by some sections against setting up of designated camp of the outfit is under the instigation of the United Kuki Liberation Front (UKLF).
Speaking to media persons somewhere in Chandel district, KNLF secretary Tonglenlal Haokip alias Lalmoi, revealed that the KNLF is one of the 15 armed wings under the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) that signed the Tripartite Suspension of Operation (SoO) Agreement on August 30, 2013 at the Banquet hall of 1st MR.
With the outfit entering in the SoO agreement on March 25, 2014, it petitioned the MHA NE division to establish a designated camp, he said.
Subsequently, the MHA responded positively, he said adding that the additional secretary (Home) on May 3, 2014, as instructed by the Ministry released an order giving green signal to its demand of setting up of designated camp at Simol Village under Khengjoy Sub-division, Chandel district, he continued.
At the same time, the chief of Simol village, Tilgoulen Haokip, had not objected to the move, he added.
Given the situation, the construction work began in full swing and altogether 40 cadres of KNLF who were under the security coverage of 9AR Moreh post were shifted at the camp on May 11, 2014 without any problems. Moreover, most of the cadres are from Khgenjoy sub-dvision, he continued.
Haokip, said that his group was taken by surprised when Kana Area Chief Association, Gunpi Area Chief Associatio and Chandel Naga Peoples’ Organisation on the open protest staged by them.
Owing to the prevailing situation the KNLF conducted an investigation and found out that the Chief association were summoned by the UKLF to attend a meeting on May 22, 2014.
UKLF warned the chiefs that they would imposed a fine of Rupees 10,000 before instructed them to opposed to the establishment of the camp, alleged Haokip.
According to Hoakip, Kana area and Gunpi are does not falls under Chakpikarong Sub-division and they are not related with the Khengjoy Sub-division.
The UKLF’s claimed of Chandel district being their ‘dominated area’ is beyond the ground rules of SoO, he asserted adding that none of the UKLF belong to Khengjoy Some Division.
The KNLF secretary clarified that the KNLF signed the SoO for peace process and not completely surrendered to the Government.
Before signing the SoO agreement the security was the only enemy of the KNLF however since it had entered into agreement it has no enemy including the UKLF as commonly perceived, he said.
Refuting the allegation levelled against the outfit that it has been extortion to saw mill owners and truckers is baseless, the KNLF secretary pointed out that its cadres in Simol Designated camp are unarm.
