KNO celebrates 24th raising day
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 24 2011:
The Kuki National Organisation (KNO) which is a conglomerate of several Kuki armed groups, celebrated its 24th raising day at three different places today.
The raising day was celebrated at the designated camps of Hermon located near Chellep village in Chandel district, Salem in Churachandpur district and Sinnai in Senapati district.
At Hermon camp, the celebration was graced by KNO finance chief Dennis Haokip, president of the Kuki Chiefs' Association Moreh Block Lethang Baite and Hill Tribal Council Moreh president Jangmang Haokip as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.
The raising day celebration was marked by offering of tributes to departed KNO leaders, officers and cadres.
The celebration attended by a large number of people including village chiefs and leaders also featured traditional dance and music programmes.
KNO president PS Haokip's 24th raising day message was also read out before the gathering.
In his message, the KNO president conveyed gratitude to party cadres, officers and the Kuki people for their support to the party which has been striving to build up a strong Kuki nation through dialogue with the State and Central Governments.
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The KNO was set up at Molno village along Indo-Myanmar border on February 24, 1988 with the objective to form Zalen-Gam and restore Kuki nation to its original status.
The KNO, which first entered into Suspension of Operation pact with the army in August 2005, has now 15 fraternal groups under its fold, mentioned the president's message.
In 2004, the KNO took active roles in bringing back the 'old Kukis' who were settled at Chandel.
In the aftermath of this initiative, Kuki cadres who were in the rank and file of two Naga insurgent groups left their parent organisations to set up United Minorities' Liberation Army and the Pakan Revolutionary.
Now these two organisations have been merged with the KNO.
Claiming that KNO had attended different forums of the United Nations, the president's message mentioned that the KNO is a signatory of the Deed of Commitment to Ban Anti-Personal Landmines with Geneva Call.
The KNO signed the SoO pact with the State and Central Governments on August 22, 2008.The KNO president further appealed to the people to support the the party continuously.
Five cadres and officers of the party were also felicitated at the celebration for their exemplary discipline and dedication to duty.