IMPHAL, May 24: The Kuki National Liberation Front/KPA has issued a press release clarifying on the recent impasse over the setting up of a designated camp for the KNLF at Semol village sub-division Chandel district published in the some newspapers.
It stated that KNLF/KPA under the leadership of its founding chairmen Khupthang alias Palen Misao camped at a UNLF camp inside Myanmar.
However one of the their cadre identified as Tilthang Khongsai had deserted and formed “Pseudo KNLF” under the patronage of KNA/KNO at
Moreh area, claimed the release.
It stated that with the help of the KNA/KNO, Tilthang Khongsai collected some local youths of Moreh who were auto drivers, rickshaw pullers and labourers on payment of Rs 2000 per head and surrendere themselves to the government during a home coming ceremony on September 9, 2013 in the presence of state Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh.
It said “Whereas we the genuine KNLF who complied to the army’s invitation for amicable settlement are still refusing for home coming ceremony.”
Even the current self-style chairman of the pseudo KNLF Helun Haokip who runs a hotel at Paona Bazar took the chairmanship of the outfit after his attempt to snatch the chieftain-ship of New Samtal Village failed, it accused.
The KNLF/KPA is prompted to ask the government and the army authorities as to why they entertain the said fake groups in such manner without proper verification and denied the same to the genuine one.
It is appeal to the government of Manipur and the army authority to stop encouraging factionalism among the Kukis, it said.
Such kind of action will not solve the problem but will create more problems in future, it said.
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/05/knlf-formed-by-deserter-knlfkpa/