Imphal, May 11: Reacting against the PIB, Defence Wing claim pertaining to operation at Sajik Tampak and reported in some section of the State and national dailies yesterday that underground cadres have confiscated rations meant for the public, the UNLF has out-rightly rejected the allegations terming the PIB assertion as another glaring example of deceiving the people.

A press statement issued by the outfit's assistant secretary (publicity), Central Committee Secretariat termed the PIB allegations as cheap propaganda to malign UNLF's image and countered that the underground organization never touch anything belonging to the people, bought all the outfit's requirements and also pay for whatever has been taken from the people.

On the other hand, the UNLF distributes ration to the needy people, claimed the assistant secretary.

The UNLF said that far from confiscating goods of the people, it has been able to extend facilities, though limited, like medical care, water supply and even electricity to some villages in Sajik Tampak with the co-operation of the public.

The outfit said the claim of the security personnel that it is trying to extend facilities to the villagers is nothing but tall claims.

Promises of new roads, electricity and laying of fibre optic cable telephone by the Indian forces are primarily counter-insurgency measures to isolate the 'insurgents' while benefits to local people through such 'pojects for development' would be simply incidental, not intended, expressed the UNLF.

To the PIB claim of restoring peace in Manipur, the UNLF statement attributed disturbance in Sajik Tampak and other areas to invasion of the Indian force while alleging that personnel of 44 Mountain brigade had already burnt down 50 odd houses 'to instil a great sense of security to the Sajik Tampak area populace'.

Why should more than 500 villagers flee their homes if the Indian forces have, in fact, instilled a sense of security on the people, asked the UNLF while mockingly questioning how many more houses would be burnt to provide more security.

The outfit also termed as hollow the assurances that the security personnel would use 'minimum force during operations' adding that past events clearly illustrate that the Indian forces have followed the rule of - 'Terrorise the local people, and eliminate the insurgents'.

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