On the decision to withdraw KNO and ZRA from Suspension of Operations (So0), KNO said it contradicted “the very essence of SoO, which since its inception in 2008, has ushered in huge peace dividends in the hills of Manipur”. “It may be noted that the primary purpose of signing So0 in 2008 was to create an atmosphere conducive for amicable political dialogue”, says KNO.
TFM Desk
Kuki National Organisation (KNO) has claimed that KNO and Zo Revolutionary Army (ZRA) leaders, namely PS Haokip and Thanglianpau Guite are are Indian citizens.
In a statement, KNO refuted the allegations of the government of Manipur and claimed that PS Haokip is a citizen of India, born at Akan village, Phek District of Nagaland while Thanglianpau Guite was formerly a Member of Parliament from the National League of Democracy, Myanmar, “but has acquired Indian citizenship”.
KNO claimed that on March 10, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) organised peaceful march in protest against Government of Manipur not following proper procedure concerning declaration of parts of the Scheduled Areas as Reserved Forest, Protected Forest, Protected Sites, and Wildlife Sanctuaries. KNO said that K Songjang village is a Gazzeted village within Kungpi Naosen village area recognised in 1926, but was regardless, evicted 20 February 2023. To air public grievance, TTLF organised a peaceful march on March 10, which went off successfully with a memorandum submitted to the governor of Manipur and chief minister N Biren Singh.
Reacting to chief minister N Biren Singh’s contention that KNA and ZRA are catalysts of the protest march and the allegation that the groups were promoting poppy cultivation, KNO said that the group had “extensively engaged” in the eradication of poppy cultivation since 2016, and the “government’s active role in this endeavour as of 2022 has also contributed positively” on areas which KNO was unable to proceed by itself but which has now achieved greater success. “This demonstrates positive outcome owing to collective engagement concerning issues of common good”, said KNO.
On the decision to withdraw KNO and ZRA from Suspension of Operations (So0), KNO said it contradicted “the very essence of SoO, which since its inception in 2008, has ushered in huge peace dividends in the hills of Manipur”. “It may be noted that the primary purpose of signing So0 in 2008 was to create an atmosphere conducive for amicable political dialogue among Government of India, the state Government of Manipur and the two umbrella organisations, Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the United People’s Front (UP). Progress made in the course of dialogue from 2019 till date is commendable, given that settlement is sought within the Constitutional framework of India and within the state of Manipur”, said the statement issued by Stephen Kuki, joint secretary, Information & Publicity, KNO.