Kuki bodies oppose UG notices, buses cease service
Source: The Sangai Express

Kanggui, July 25 2013: Consequent to serving meeting notifications on chiefs of Kuki villages located between Senapati and Kangpokpi by an unknown outfit without specifying details as well as 'annual tax' clearance to Kuki bus owners, passenger service from Senapati to Imphal ceased with immediate effect today.

The Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills (KISH) and various other Kuki civil bodies today raised strong objection against activities of a militant outfit, under the banner of KTU NSCN/GPRN, within Sadar Hills and warned them to back off from the administrative areas of Kuki dominated Sadar Hills district.

KISH president Chungkam Haokip while speaking to media persons here this afternoon said KTU GPRN/NSCN - one of the Naga militant outfits of People's Republic of Nagalim, served a meeting circulation (at Senapati bazar) on the letterhead of Govt of The People's Republic of Nagalim, Office of the KTU, Senapati Unit, KTU, NSCN/GPRN signed by one Thangboi, unit in-charge KTU, NSCN/GPRN to Kuki chiefs of Changoubung, Hengbung, Taphou Kuki and Kailenjang on July 17 and 25 without mentioning any agenda.

He elaborated that, as instructed by the KISH, chiefs of the four Kuki villages located between Kangpokpi and Senapati did not comply with the first meeting call of KTU, NSCN/GPRN.

The second meeting circulation served again to the four chiefs on July 25 mentioned the same place but without any agenda to be discussed, said Chungkam adding that the four Kuki chiefs were again advised not to attend the meeting since the Kuki Inpi is not in a position to accept any activities carried out by any element without the consent of the apex body.

Observing that intention and activities of the Naga militant outfit clearly underscore evil ideology of communal conflict being perpetuated by the NSCN-IM, the he made it clear that the Inpi as well as Kuki civil bodies will defy any vested individual or unwanted element attempting to disturb/throttle the peace loving communities and peaceful environment within Sadar Hills.

Asserting that it will not entertain any activities carried out by KTU NSCN/GPRN within Sadar Hills, the Inpi chief said: "Unfortunately, notification has been served particularly to the Kuki passenger buses plying between Senapati and Imphal demanding that annual tax be paid by July 25 which clearly testify communal mindset of the outfit" .

Conveying that following the 'tax' notification Sadar Hills Women Union and other civil bodies today met owners and drivers of passenger carriers servicing between Senapati to Imphal at Gamgiphai and clearly explained to them communal intent of KTU NSCN/GPRN towards, Chungkam further confided that Kuki bus owners and drivers were advised not to entertain such demands until an amicable solution is brought.

Same has been done by the Kanggui Youth Union at Kangpokpi and subsequently all passengers buses plying between Senapati and Imphal along NH-2 have ceased service with immediate effect, said the KISH president while adding that service of Senapati to Imphal passenger buses along NH-2 will not resume until and unless there is clarity on the matter.

Chungkam further mentioned that, earlier the two umbrella organization of Kuki militant groups - UPF/KNO issued statements that no organization will be entertained to carry out any activities within the Kuki dominated areas without the knowledge of the two organization and the civil bodies.

KTU, NSCN/GPRN has also been seriously warned to back off by the Kuki civil bodies asking the outfit not to disturb the four villages.

In case KTU, NSCN/GPRN continue to disturb and harass any of the four Kuki chiefs whom the outfit had summoned for meetings, the Kuki bodies affirmed that they will take every possible steps for the safety of the peace loving communities and in promoting prevailing peaceful environment.

The Inpi also appealed to the United Naga Council and other Naga civil bodies as well as individuals to take the initiative in working out a peaceful solution before the matter goes out of hand.

With reference to the unwanted incident of the early 90s, Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills, UPF/KNO and other Kuki civil bodies also urged the NSCN-IM to refrain from their communal mindset and to take mature steps to solve the matter peacefully.

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