Siamchinthang Tangpua:
Ccpur, Dec.1: Armed group Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United Peoples’ Front (UPF) while welcoming the peace initiative being underway between the NSCN-IM and the Government of India today appealed any armed groups to discontinue their adversarial activities towards the Aimol people in the interest of the larger tribal unity.
In a joint statement of the two outfits presently ensuing suspension of operation, the outfits appealed to maintain mutual respect and peaceful co-existence with all communities, particularly with the Tribals of Manipur.
“The Govt. of India and NSCN (IM) has signed a frame work agreement and the KNO and UPF entered a very critical stage in the peace process”, said Calvin H, convenor KNO & UPF and T.S. Haokip, co-convenor, KNO & UPF in the joint statement.
The joint appeal said, these political developments are welcomed steps collectively taken by Govt. of India and the concerned groups for political survival of the Tribals and fervently appeal to all concerned to desist from taking steps that can hurt the sentiments and upset the peace process.
It may be recalled that, on Nov. 20, 2015 a stone was erected at Aimol Satu village,in Chandel district stating that Aimol tribe belongs to Naga. This was reportedly carried out under such a pressure from certain armed groups. The KNO & UPF joint appeal further said that, “today there is no better where we should maintain mutual strive for tribal unity”.