Kohima, July 17 (MExN): The Kohima Village Council (KVC) has refuted allegations that it had supplied automatic weapons terming the charge “baseless” and “malicious.”
In a clarification issued by its media cell, the KVC said that Rev A Puni Mao, a high-ranking functionary of a Naga political group had, during a meeting on June 25 at a hotel in Chümoukedima, alleged that Kohima Village had supplied 30 AK-47 rifles to Kuki militants to fight against Nagas in Manipur.
Terming the remark “derogatory” and “divisive”, the council asserted that the allegation was made without any evidence or authenticity, with the apparent intent of tarnishing the image of Kohima Village for personal gain.
“The hasty derogatory remark was purely baseless with no authenticity or evidence, but to sow divisive attitude with false propaganda to malign and tarnish the image of Kohima Village for his personal benefit,” the KVC said in its statement.
The council said the individual was subsequently called for a meeting on July 7 at the Kohima Village Council Hall, where he was given an opportunity to justify his allegation before council members, village elders and all frontal organisations.
During the meeting, the individual “voluntarily admitted his mistake” and requested pardon, acknowledging that he had made the allegation without proper deliberation or proof, the KVC said.
“He publicly apologised to Kohima Village. The provocative issue was amicably settled,” the council added, without naming the individual.
The KVC said the clarification was necessitated due to the severe nature of the allegation, which required setting the record straight for the Naga populace. The council also cautioned against such false propaganda, cautioning that “hatred begets non-cooperation, non-cooperation begets disregard and vengeance.”
