Imphal, October 02: Setting the record straight, the Kuki National Front has clarified that the KNF has never adopted the nomenclature KNF (P) asserting that it had remained as KNF under president Thangboi and added that there is no organisation called KNF (P) as is often misquoted by the media.

Spelling out some few facts, goal and leadership of the KNF, the secretary of information of publicity of the outfit, LH Stephen in a statement said that KNF was founded in 1988 by Pu (L) Nehlun Kipgen and many prominent Kuki leaders and chiefs of the time.

The main goal was the establishment of a separate State for the Kuki community as it was felt that a different administration was needed for the Kukis as they have been discriminated against, socially, politically and economically in every State they live.

After the sudden and tragic death of Pu Nehlun Kipgen, the Central Working Committee of the KNF held a meeting and elected Pu Thangboi Kipgen as its president, added the statement.

During the tenure of Thangboi, due to ideological and personal differences, several factions of KNF came into being, said the statement and named them as KNF (MC), KNF (Zougam), KNF (T Samuel).

However the KNF under the leadership of Thangboi Kipgen continues to carry on the struggle for a separate State of the Kukis, claimed the statement and added that the KNF never changed its name to KNF (President).

The KNF also does not differentiate any of the factions, said the statement added that all factions and organisations who call themselves as KNF (MC), KNF (Zougam) etc are treated as part of KNF as long as they aspired and stand for Kukiland, the dream left unfulfilled by the founding father.

KNF on the other hand appeals to all factions and groups to extend help in the struggle.

The outfit also appealed to the State Government to reconsider their opposition to the proposed cease fire agreement reached between the Government of India and the KNF.

The State Government must be ready to take bold decisions and not be held back by narrow, communal politics, said the statement and added that the aspiration of the Kuki people cannot be suppressed by brute force forever.

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