Demands an autonomous hill state by extending the provision of Article 244 A
Newmai News Network
Imphal | July 19
The United People’s Front (UPF), one of the two umbrella bodies of Kuki militant groups, has “officially” demanded a separate “hill state” within the territory of Manipur.
The demand was raised by the outfit during a recently held political dialogue with the Central representatives in New Delhi, a media report said in Imphal today.
The outfit along with another Kuki underground apex body Kuki National Organisation (KNO) had signed Suspension of Operation (SoO) with both the Central and Manipur governments in August 2008.
The Manipur government then set up five designated camps in Churachandpur, Chandel and Senapati districts to lodge the cadres of the ceasefire militant groups.
According to the media report, the charter of demands of UPF was submitted through a document to the Government of India through Satyendra Garg, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, who chaired the tripartite talks held in the national capital on June 17.
UPF demanded creation of a separate “hill state” within the current existing territory of the state of Manipur. It demanded an autonomous hill state by extending the provision of Article 244 A of the Constitution, the media report said.
The report said that UPF also demanded rehabilitation of the outfit’s cadres by establishing a separate Army Regiment that shall be deployed for local and national defence only.
The group further demanded the Centre to provide a handsome relief package, ex-gratia for next of kin of all deceased cadres and withdrawal of all cases pending against the group and its members.
Source: Morung Express
