NSCN-IM clarifies stand on KLA casualties

DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 6 (MExN): Following the killing of ten cadres belonging to the Kuki Liberation Army (KLA) on September 3 in Ukhrul district by the NSCN (IM) and the concern from different quarters of a possible backlash, the Ministry of Information & Publicity NSCN (IM) has clarified that “creating terror or violence” was not part of “NSCN revolutionary spirit” and that it had “equal respect and sympathy for the neighbour’s revolutionary groups”. 

“More than anything else we have inspired them to take people interest as part of their liberation movement”, the MIP press communiqué stated. The NSCN (IM) nevertheless questioned the credibility of “revolution” if it became a “source of public nuisance” and reduced to the “level of a mere anti-social group”. “Revolutionary group exist to bring socio-economic and political transformation. But no such historic event can ever take place when the very revolutionary groups earned the wrath of the people for its anti-people activities”, the NSCN (IM) stated while making the point that the KLA for all practical purpose had become nothing more than a “counter-revolutionary force who practice an extreme and ruthless form of struggle without any convincing support to justify their people’s movement”. 

The NSCN (IM) pointed out that such group like the KLA was striving “to use terror and violence to make their presence felt” and that “resorting to fraud and exploiting other socio-economic vulnerabilities should not be made the KLA’s affairs for existence”. The NSCN (IM) maintained that the KLA did not “live in isolation” and that it brought “grievous harm to the revolutionary image of other groups”.  “This is the tragic state of affairs within KLA. And the compulsion for NSCN to stop their anti-people activities, which has also put the Naga national interest at stake”, the MIP press communiqué stated adding that when the NSCN (IM)’s “spirit of accommodation is taken for granted and even daring to cross sword with us the option for NSCN is quite obvious”. 

It further added that no revolutionary group of any standing will concentrate their activities in extortion, kidnapping for ransom and other fraudulence. “But this is KLA’s story and the truth has to be told today to clear the public conscience, particularly the Kuki community”, the NSCN (IM) stated while recalling the kidnapping of one Germany journalist (NGO) few years back in Manipur and also the kidnapping of Victor Keishing son of former Manipur Chief Minister Rishang Keishing by the KLA both for ransom and extorting money. “This is no way for the KLA to justify their criminal act in the name of liberating their people from socio-political injustice”.

The NSCN (IM) likewise pointed out that revolutionary groups are motivated by human values and human rights but that in the recent past, the KLA had become a source of physical and mental turmoil in the villages they operate, particularly in the area of the incident at Tangkhul Hundung. “They created social nuisance and harassed the public beyond forbearance. This is no revolution for the people but counter-revolution because this messing up of revolutionary movement served the interest of the forces against revolution and NSCN cannot afford to close eyes on this wanton violation of people’s right of Naga villagers at the hands of KLA”, the NSCN (IM) stated while clarifying its position. 

It was also made known that the two vehicles used by KLA members were hijacked and not hired as alleged by KLA and that the NSCN (IM) was compelled to intervene and that what followed thereafter was “KLA’s folly”.

The NSCN (IM) also made known that the KLA has been on the prowl to hijack vehicles plying on National Highway 39 and reminded of the hijacking of JCBs recently. “Their modus operandi was to hijack vehicles from the highway in collaboration with some like-minded Meiteis and take shelter in the Naga foothill villages to give the impression that it is the NSCN who masterminded the operation. As part of their ploy they go to the press to de-link themselves from the crime”.

Pointing out that Kuki revolutionary groups are no enemy of the NSCN (IM), the latter informed that it had relationship with most of the Kuki groups including KRA. “However, by virtue of NSCN’s relation with KRA it does not warrant KLA to indulge in freewheeling movement that is not in consonance with NSCN’s revolutionary concept”. The NSCN (IM) as such pointed out that it was “still unconvinced of the political ideology of KLA except for its gang-like operation and that the operational style of KLA was considered nothing more than any anti-social group and thus far from any revolutionary group that deserve any respect”.

The NSCN (IM) stated that lest it is misunderstood for the killing further clarified that “it was the KLA who repeatedly threw challenge to NSCN and ultimately the final encounter day was brought before the NSCN and KLA when KLA on the fated Wednesday went too far for the NSCN to exercise restraint, and the KLA’s challenge has to be accepted though reluctantly”.