Newmai News Network
Imphal | September 8
Even as the NSCN (IM) had made a clarification regarding the killing of 10 KLA cadres on September 3 at T.Hundung village, it has invited more irks among the Kuki society and tension as it seems, continues to simmer.
C.S.Khongsai, president of the Kuki Youth Federation (KYF), while addressing a press conference said “the NSCN (IM)'s explanation of the killing of 10 KLA cadres is not acceptable”. Khongsai, demanding to make clear the motive behind the killing, cast aspersion whether the act is a direct challenge to the Kukis or a gesture to renew a similar communal flare up like that of the clash between the Kukis and the Nagas more than a decade ago.
Reacting to the press clarification made by the NSCN(IM) in which the outfit mentioned the KLA's kidnapping of a foreign national and Victor Keishing few years back, Khongsai questioned why the NSCN(IM) had not made their objections out rightly during the time. The KYF supremo, while observing that the NSCN (IM)'s accusation of KLA as extortionists and a gang, he counter charged the NSCN (IM) of harboring all kinds of anti-social elements and further questioned whether the NSCN (IM) is free of the accusation. The KYF president also blasted the Centre for not reacting to such criminal activities of the NSCN (IM) and asked whether the NSCN (IM) is following the ground rules of the ceasefire agreement with the Government of India. T.L.Hangmi, vice president of the Youth Front, who also spoke on the occasion supplemented further that the issue of 10 KLA cadres killing must be settled by the social apex bodies of both communities and demanded it should be solved through the Kuki customary law.
Meanwhile, the Kuki Liberastion Army (KLA) accused the NSCN-IM of carrying out the killing under a pre-planned mission, and said the NSCN (IM) will be responsible for any outcome. Addy Kuki, the information and publicity secretary of the KLA, while noting the failure of the NSCN (IM) to respect the September 7 deadline set by the KLA to return the arms seized from the slained cadres, he said the matter is serious and it should be resolved through the Kuki customary law. If the NSCN (IM) fails to return the arms and settle the issue through Kuki customary law, it will suggest it is inviting bloodshed like in the nineties.
Addy questioned that, if 10 KLA cadres were killed for kidnapping a foreign NGO worker and Victor Keishing, what punishment should be given to the NSCN(IM), "which was responsible for killing hundreds of innocent Kukis and uprooting hundreds of villages which was done under the banner of Nagaland for Christ."
He also said the KLO/KLA has never committed anti-social activities on the National Highway. It is the NSCN-IM group which has been indulging in anti-social, anti-people acts, said Andy Kuki.
Meanwhile a national daily from Kolkatta reported that, the Union home ministry has asked the Manipur government to submit a detailed report on the clash between the NSCN (IM) and KLA in Ukhrul district. The daily newspaper, while quoting official source reports, "The Centre has taken a very serious view of the incident and wants a detailed report from the government. A report would be sent in the next few days". The newspaper also reported that, chances of a communal backlash in the wake of the Monday's killing were remote. However, measures have been taken to prevent any eventuality.
