The Kuki National Organisation, an umbrella group of armed Kuki outfits says, “Any person or organization acting contrary to this appeal (to support the BJP) will be deemed acting against Kuki interest.”
TFM Desk
Just three days ahead of voting for 12 Manipur Legislative Assembly polls, the Kuki National Organisation, an umbrella group of armed Kuki militant outfits, on Friday threw its weights behind all BJP candidates in the fray.
It appealed to all chiefs, CSO leaders and all voters to support BJP candidates in all KNO operational areas. “Any person or organization acting contrary to this appeal will be deemed acting against Kuki interest,” it said.
In a statement issued by KNO president PS Haokip, the outfit said, “In line with the ongoing political dialogue between KNO and Government of India, the central government and ruling BJP leadership have promised swift settlement of Kuki political aspirations. Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shahji has announced the same in his public address on 23rd February, 2022 at Churachandpur public Ground. Therefore, KNO has resolved to extend support to all BJP candidates for the 12th Manipur Assembly elections.”
The announcement came amidst allegations by the Congress, National People’s Party (NPP) and Janata Dal (United) that their workers in the hill districts are being threatened and intimidated by underground outfits.
In the first week of February, the NPP had alleged that their candidates and workers were being subjected to targeted intimidation and abuse by several militant outfits in Manipur. The party had requested security cover for its candidates and demanded that arms be seized from all underground groups.
Naming the militant outfits, the party also alleged that they were actively campaigning for opposite parties including the BJP.
“The outfits KNF-MC, KNF-Z, UKLF, KNA, and HPC(D) have openly come out in blatant support of our opponent’s candidates from BJP and NPF,” it said.
In the Tipaimukh constituency, the cadres of militant outfits HPC(D) were moving around with arms intimidating the voters and ordering village chiefs to vote for BJP candidates, alleged the party.
It also alleged that underground groups like KNA and UKLF that are under the “Suspension of Operation (SoO)” agreement with the Centre are threatening NPP party workers and village chief to make them support the BJP candidate Letpao Haokip in Tengnoupal assembly.
On the other hand, the Janata Dal (United) on Thursday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of colluding with militant groups under Suspension of Operation (SoO) to intimidate the voters.
Addressing media persons at its office in Imphal, JD (U) Manipur state unit secretary Maisnam Dorendro said that voters of Behiang and Guitekhul under Singhat AC in Churachandpur district were warned by SoO groups of facing “consequences” if they fail to give 98 percent of the votes to the BJP.