KLA washes hands off twin killings

Imphal, December 08 2009: Clarifying that KLA is not responsible for the killing of Hemang Taothang alias Mamang and Hemang alias Tiger at B Vengnoum in Churachandpur in the evening of December 5, information and publicity secretary of the armed outfit Armstrong Gangte has asserted that the two persons were killed by KNO/KNA.

Talking to mediapersons somewhere in Ukhrul district today, Armstrong Gangte said that on that fateful day Hemang Taothang alias Mamang and Hemang alias Tiger have gone to get something from B Vengnoum in Churachandpur when they were abducted and killed by armed cadres of KNO/KNA.

So that claim in newspapers that the two persons were killed by KNO/KLA was baseless, he added.

Informing that B Vengnoum is a stronghold of KNO/KNA, Armstrong reiterated that since KLA has left KNO and joined UPF, there is no such organisation called KNO/KLA anymore.

He further said that since KNO/KNA has been playing divide and rule policy among smaller ethnic Kuki groups, it could never be recognised as a national organisation of the Kukis.

It was KNO/KNA which encourages formation of ZRF and provides asylum.

But with the growth of ZRF, KNO/KNA plays its divide and rule and break up ZRF.

After this, KNO/KNA patronises ZDV but shot dead general secretary cum finance secretary of ZRF Abraham Jou in connivance with his bodyguard, Armstrong alleged.

Not happy with the conduct of KNO/KNA and its ideology, ZDV has also joined UPF.

KNA has also broke apart KLA group under KNO into two as Touthang group and Doungel group which has subsequently led to the formation of KRF.

It is because of such unwanted activities of KNO/KNA that KLA parted from KNO and joined with UPF, Armstrong reiterated, while calling upon the civil organisations not to be confused over the issue.

Furthermore, Armstrong alleged that killing of four persons by MLI at Mongkot Chepu on September 7 was at the behest of KNO/KNA.

So the demand for ex-gratia from the Government is not acceptable nor KLA would take it.

However, he appealed to all the authorities concerned to hand over the six arms seized to the custody of KLA which is under the fold of UPF.

KNO/KNA has been encouraging bloodshed in Kuki society and as a result has lost captain Touthang, Soson Touthang, Jilngam Touthang, Paolen Touthang, Goulen Touthang, Jangthang Touthang, Tongam Touthang, Khaithang Touthang, Yangam Touthang and Khailum Touthang, Armstrong said, adding that KLA does not like the bloodshed policy and programme of KNO/KNA under the guise of Zalengam movement and hence joined UPF.

Since KLA is an organisation under UPF now, Joint Monitoring Group of SoO ensure necessary benefits to the KLA as well, Armstrong pleaded.