Incidents and Statements involving Kuki Liberation Army 2013

Date

Nature of incident

January 1

New Delhi

Six insurgent groups are currently active in Assam while 12 others in talks with the Central and State Government, Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Rockybul Hussain said. Six groups - ULFA-ATF, NDFB-ATF/ NDFB-IKS, KPLT, KLO, MULTA and HuM-are active in the State; Hussain said replying to a question in the House.

Hussain said outfits in talks were NDFB's Progressive faction, ULFA-PTF, KLNLF, ACMA, BCF, KRA, UKDA, KLA, HPC-D, APA, AANLA and STF.

The NDFB-RD and the NSLA have declared unilateral ceasefire, Hussain said while replying on behalf of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, who also holds the Home Affairs portfolio, said.

Two groups -BTF and ULFBV have already surrendered. Settlement has been reached by the central and state governments with the UPDS and the two factions of the DHD.

"However, details regarding the progress of talks with various outfits cannot be disclosed now," Hussain said. On cases faced by leaders and cadres of outfits in talks, he said, "We will not lift the cases faced by them. The cases will be dealt by the courts and judiciary. A monthly assistance of INR 3,000 is provided to each cadre belonging to groups engaged in peace talks.

Dima Hasao District in Assam

SFs apprehended two surrendered KLA militants, while they were removing nuts and bolts of the railway track, from Migrendisa in Dima Hasao District. The duo was identified as Paojamin and Paominlem.

Imphal West Police commandos arrested one militant of KLO/KLA, identified as Limminlen Khongsai alias Lowrence from near Cheirap Court complex auto parking.

Security Forces during an operation in Songjathal came under fire from some militants. The Assam Rifles troops retaliated the fire and during the operation two cadres of KLO were arrested while one cadre escaped. The arrestees were identified as Ngamkhojang Khongsai (56) and Helen Khongsai (33). One 9 mm pistol with Magazine, two 9mm live round, one Chinese hand grenade, two Mobile phones, two Extortion letters of KLO, two sets of Combat uniforms and INR 8526 were also recovered from them.

In what could be a fallout of a factional feud, the 'home secretary' of the KLA, Seikhohao Khongsai alias Marwin (33) and his two and a half year daughter identified as Zukim Kuki were killed and two others were injured in an ambush in the afternoon of July 13. The victims were on their way to the Champhai area in Senapati District when armed men killed them. When the car reached Champhai village around 3.30pm, unidentified armed men rained bullets, killing the 'home secretary' on the spot and injuring his daughter Zukim Kuki and two others, including the driver. Zukim succumbed to her injuries at a private hospital in the afternoon of July 14, Police said, adding that Saikhohao's wife, who was also in the car, escaped unhurt.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack till the filing of this report, even the Police began a probe to ascertain the motive behind the ambush and the identities of the perpetrators. The attack came at a time when several Kuki civil bodies demanded that the Government hold a political dialogue with the SoO signatory Kuki militant groups to bring about a permanent solution to the Kuki problem in Manipur. KLA is the armed wing of the KLO and the group is a signatory of the ongoing SoO with the Government.

The KRA, which is also a party to the SoO, has condemned the attack.

The KSO-GHQ has vehemently condemned the Champhai incident, saying the enmity they have with the deceased KLA functionary is not much a matter of concern.

Condemning in the strongest term the murder of KLA 'home secretary' and his daughter, the outfit has warned that it would not let off all those individuals/group involved in the murder. Speaking to media persons at their designated camp, KLA 'general secretary' L Timothy Kuki asked all concerned to explain the double murder on or before July 18 or face dire consequences. KLA's investigation department is investigating the twin murder. But it is too early to name any individual or group, Timothy said.

The KNO/KLA has informed all its cadres who are on casual leave and cadres who are placed currently under suspension to report to the outfit's designated Sinai Camp or Transit camp at Jangnomphai in Chandel District on or before August 15. A statement issued by the outfit's 'publicity and information secretary', Armstrong Kuki, warned of taking strict action against those cadres who failed to report to the camp during the stipulated period.