Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 06:
Coming out strongly against the �cold blooded� elimination of ten KLA cadres by the NSCN (IM) at Tangkhul Hundung on September 3, the Kuki National Organisation has today stated the mass killing has come even though the memories of the killing of over 900 Kuki (mainly children, women and the elderly), uprooting over 359 villages and thousands rendered refugees from 1992 to 1997 are yet to dim.
Quoting the accounts of the two KLA cadres who somehow escaped the killings, the KNO in a statement today said that the KLA cadres had gone to Tangkhul Hundung on the invitation of the KRA.
Their stay at the village was arranged by the KRA, which already has a steady relationship with the NSCN (IM).
After staying for two days at the village, the KLA cadres and NSCN (IM) men travelled in two separate vehicles to head for Ukhrul and meet top brass of the NSCN (IM) in order to finalise and formalise KLA�s link with the IM group, said KNO.
The KLA were to enjoy the status of the KRA and the UKLF in their relationship with the IM group, said the statement.
However while they stopped for fuel, the NSCN (IM) men opened fire at the KLA cadres while they were inside the Jeep and killed ten of them in cold blood, alleged, KNO.
Despite the old wounds and the latest mass scale elimination, KNO wishes to look forward to a state of peaceful co-existence, said the statement and charged the KRA of abetting the IM group in eliminating the KLA cadres.
�It is also unfortunate that the United Peoples� Front which acknowledges that KLA is a member group of the organisation (Press release of 5th Sept, 2007) tolerates membership of those linked with the NSCN (IM),� added the outfit.
The KNO has also asked the IM group to come out with an official declaration and measures to remedy the dastardly act.