KTU abolished : KNO

Imphal, March 06 :: With its president Panghou Khongsai and general secretary Janglet Khongsai surrendered to the KNO/KNA, the Kuki Tribal Union (KTU) has been declared abolished today.

The KTU was established under the aegis of the NSCN (IM) in 2006. The KTU leaders surrendered to the KNO/KNA on February 25. Parading KTU general secretary Janglet Khongsai before media persons at a location in Sadar Hills, defence PRO of KNO/KNA wing VI, C Hegin Kuki asserted that since the NSCN (IM) could not extort money from the public after it came under ceasefire pact with the Government of India, the KTU was specifically set up only to be used in extortion.

The KTU leaders surrendered to the KNO/KNA after they realised their activities lack moral and political justification, he conveyed.

Janglet Khongsai also admitted that he surrendered to the KNO/KNA on realising that the activities of KTU set up under NSCN (IM) were false and anti-social.

Declaring that the KTU has been abolished with effect from today, Janglet Khongsai warned that any body found demanding or collecting money in the name of KTU should accept whatever punishment given to them.

Earlier, weapons necessary for extortion activities were provided by NSCN (IM).

Of the total amount collected or extorted, NSCN (IM) took 80 percent while KTU received 20 percent, he disclosed.

Strongly condemning the act of leaving the corpses of the Kasom Khullen SDO and his two staff at Taphou Kuki village after they were murdered in the most brutal manner by NSCN (IM) cadres, Hegin Kuki questioned the motive behind discarding the Gypsy allotted to the SDO within the "designated area" of KNO/KNA while the SDO and his staff were abducted from the Ukhrul DC office complex along with the Govt allotted vehicle in broad day light.

Asserting that the NSCN (IM)'s design was aimed at sparking off a disastrous communal clash between the Kukis and the Meiteis, the PRO warned that the KNO/KNA will award harsh punishments in case any one perpetrates such diabolic activities ever again.