CCPUR, October 17: A major constituent of the Suspension of Operation signatory armed group under the KNO, the United Minority Liberation Army (UMLA) with a cadre strength of 51 basically from the minority communities of Manipur celebrated its 10th Raising Day at the Hermon Camp located at Tengnoupal area of Chandel district of Manipur.
The function was graced KNO leaders led by under-secretary Home, KNO and his team from Lamka.
The program started with hoisting of the UMLA`™s flag by KNO leader Pater Mate followed by a one-minute silence for the group`™s departed leader and cadres including the late secy home which was followed by guard of honour from the UMRA cadres.
The camp has 51 cadres of UMLA with a total camp strength of 200 cadres including those of UMLA, Pakan Revolutionary Army and Kuki National Army all under their own C-in-Cs while the whole camp is under a CO Hemlien.
In his speech, Pater Mate congratulated the UMLA and said that the 17 armed group under Kuki National Organisations or KNO are not underground groups but the Kuki Army with the signing of SoO with the Centre and the State governments.
He said it`™s time for all the cadres to retrospect and introspect on how they built their relationship and bonds with the people who he said, are dependent of them.
He further said `How much we connect and do for our peoples should be realised at all time as peace for our people depend on us and we should always be accountable for the cause of our people and ready for explanation of our action.`
The rain disturbed the programme for a brief moment.
The programme also witnessed presentation of traditional gifts to dignitaries from the C-in-C of UMLA Kophom which later ended, the first main session, with blessing prayer by Pastor TH Chongloi. The second session witnessed a volley ball game played between the teams of the UMLA, PRA and KNA and a KNO from Churachandpur.
The prize which was a pig was won by the KNO team from Churachandpur.
Meanwhile, the KNO president S Haokip visited the Churachandpur District Hospital mortuary and offered Rs one lakh in the form of condolence for the nine tribal martyrs.