Imphal, February 20 2009: Noting the condemnations that have come from all sections of the society over the killing of Dr Kishan and two of his staff, the Manipur Naga Revolutionary Front (MNRF) has today said that it is very fortunate for all of us that the three missing staff have also been traced as they could be of immense help to confirm all speculations over the killing. In a statement, the MNRF information and publicity secretary, C Rocky said that the culprits must not be let go scot-free after establishing their identities and asserted that the common desire of the public now is to deliver punishment accordingly. C Rocky further stated that it is a well-known fact that people from the Tangkhul community have also occupied some key-posts in the NSCN (IM).

It is also clear that the incident of abduction and subsequent killing of Dr Kishan and his two subordinate staff began in Ukhrul district.

Even if the murderers belonged to the NSCN (IM), it is not likely that they perpetrated the act with the consent of the Tangkhul community.

As such, it is pertinent to assign the Tangkhul community to take the initiative in tracing the culprits.

However, the statement pointed out that it will be wrong to take it on communal line by drawing the divides between the Meiteis and the Tangkhuls. While saying that the MNRF is also an organisation headed byTangkhuls to counter the NSCN (IM)’s divisive policies, it also stated that the NSCN (IM) has committed many mistakes by deputing its cadres to commit a crime, and then later refuse the deeds of their cadres to save their face saying that the crime is being committed without official sanction. The MNRF has been formed to stand against the NSCN (IM) and to enable the people of the state to continue to coexist and live in peace like it was in the past, the MNRF statement maintained while appealing to the people to extend their cooperation in its endeavour.

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