Universal News Agency
Imphal, July 25 : Kuki National Organisation (KNO), a Kuki militant group having suspension of operation agreement with the government reasserted its demand for a separate Kuki land for enjoying Kukis rights.
The home secretary of the KNO, Anton Kuki reiterated Kukis’ demand for a seperate Kuki state while addressing the martyrs’ day function of the Kuki National Army (KNA), organized yesterday at the designated camp named Hermon Camp of KNA located at Chehlep village in Chandel district, about 80 kms from Imphal. KNA is the military wing of the KNO, which is one of more than 20 Kuki militant groups having a suspension of operation agreement with the government.
The martyrs’ day function was organized to pay respect to 167 cadres of the group died in between 1990 and 2012.
Senior leaders of other groups having suspension of operation and relatives of KNA cadres killed attended the programme. Gun salutes were given to the departed cadres of the group.
Relatives from other districts came in bus and other vehicles to attend the programme.
The president of Kuki Inpi, Myanmar Khailun Haokip also attended the programme. A Kuki female singer from Tamu of Myanmar, Ng. Lhainei performed during the programme.
Assam Rifle, police personnel and India Reserve Battalion personnel were deployed along the route to the camp in view of the programme.
However, those coming to attend the programme were allowed to proceed. Armed with sophisticated weapons cadres of the KNA guarded the spacious camp to ensure that nothing happened on a day of mourning.
A separate state for the Kukis is a dream of Kukis in Manipur.
Anton Kuki did not elaborate on the Kuki land, but said if Kukis do not have a separate land for proper administration Kukis cannot enjoy and exercised their rights.
The seeds of Kuki land have been sown and they will germinate. One day we will reap the fruits, Anton Kuki said.
Kuki National Front, another militant group having suspension of operation and now in a designated camp in Senapati district also has a similar demand for a Kuki state, comprising more than half of Manipur total geographical area.
The KNO was founded in the year 1988 and the KNA’s commander-in-chief Thangkholun Haokip went to Kachin to get guerrilla warfare training from Kachin Independent Army of Myanmar. Thangkholun was assassinated by rivals on July 24, 1992.
The martyrs’ day is observed every year on the day Thangkholun was killed.
The KNA is demanding separate Kuki states both in India and Myanmar.
Before signing the suspension of operation agreement KNA cadres carried out attacks on security forces both in Myanmar and Manipur.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/kno-demands-kuki-state/
