Imphal, March 30: Giving a clarion call to all the Kuki outfits on the occasion of the 7th raising day of United Kuki Liberation Front (UKLF) yesterday, its Commander-in-Chief SS Haokip categorically stated that any process for peace talks with the Government of India will be fruitful if all the Kuki outfits come together as one.

Conveying his greetings to all the people during a meeting with the media in connection with the raising day of the outfit somewhere outside Manipur, the Commander-in-Chief observed that unity among all the Kuki outfits is the need of the hour and any process for negotiation with the Government would bear fruit if only there is unity.

The Commander-in-Chief further said that among the main objectives of the outfit is ensuring re-unification of the Kukis.

Only unity can carry forward the ideal of 'one man, one movement' which in return would help in restoration of peace.

"Infighting and factional clashes would not realise the dream of a homeland, or Zalengam or autonomy," the Commander-in-Chief remarked.

Commenting on the appeal of the Centre for understanding and unity among all the Kuki underground organisations, the Commander-in-Chief noted that even if the Government of India is not sincere enough in this regard, it is upto the Kuki outfits to work towards this direction.

Even if there are two/three underground outfits of the Nagas, their objective is the same, but in the case of the Kukis it is different with different outfits having their own agenda, he said, while suggesting that United People's Front (UPF) and KNO try to resolve the differences.

"The concept that I should be the leader at any cost should be done away with in the greater interest of the Kuki community.

Every individual should contribute their mite in bringing unity just like the members of a single family," he said.

"The fear and apprehension in the minds of the people of Chandel and Churachandpur district in venturing out to work in their own paddy is the glaring example of lack of unity among the Kuki outfits" he added.

Established on March 29, 2000, UKLF has been working with understanding with the NSCN (I-M) and has been able to bring peace between the Kukis and the Nagas.

Before the establishment of UKLF, the then existing Kuki outfits did not have respect for Kuki people, women, children and Church leaders.

It was the general norm to collect not just taxes from every village but also rice, meat and insist on eating meals cooked by the girls.

It is because of such unreasonable demands and atrocities that many Kuki outfits have given birth, and it really unfortunate that the leaders of these Kuki outfits have not consciously tried to study the situation.

While paying tribute to all the departed senior cadres and officers of the outfit, the Commander-in-Chief condemned the killing of home secretary Solomon and PRO Thomi on November 10, 2006 while they were going toward Sonjang village located in Dingpi area even after an understanding with KNA/KNO.

'Now is not the time to wage war and fight among ourselves, now is the time for perusing programmes and policy and the solution is within our hands.

There is disunity among the Kukis because of the debilitating influence of the so called intellectuals and Church leaders.

Even the bones such harmful people should be removed from their graves and burnt them off', the Commander-in-Chief said.

Because of the past mistakes committed by these leaders there are many things which are yet to be settled, he said while appealing to all the people for co-operation and support in the ongoing process for re-unification.

He further explained involvement of all the Kuki outfits in the Suspension of Operation with the Army was necessary as some of the organisations started working against their own community organisation in collusion with the Government.

The name of Kuki is now being associated with all the unwanted things happening in the society so much so that even James Kuki , the killer of Lungnila Elizabeth attached 'Kuki' to his name.

This is really unfortunate and should be cleared for once and all, the Commander-in-Chief said.

He explained that Kuki is generic term for a Nation comprising of various tribes with distinct language and culture of their own.

UKLF would never spare those who are terrorising the people and has taken serious note of kidnapping young innocent children for ransom, snatching of their ear-ring.

UKLF would also start investigating into the incident of killing of two innocent children after having kidnapped for ransom from Senapati and the responsible persons would be brought in front of the people for giving befitting punishment, the Commander-in-Chief assured.

Without putting an end to this trend of kidnapping children for ransom, the State would not be able to develop nor women and young children would be able to survive, he said.

If UNLF and India Government want to get support from the people of Somtal area, they should treat them nicely and stop subjecting them to any sort of inconveniences, he said, while drawing the analogy of fish and water between the undergrounds and the people.

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