SoO groups, Kuki-Zo MLAs refute report

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Nov 17: The demand for a Union Territory (UT) remains a priority, and no decision has been taken for the Kuki-Zo MLAs to join formation of any new Government in Manipur, SoO Kuki militant groups and MLAs have claimed today.
This clarification came after this paper published a report stating Kuki-Zo MLAs have decided to join if and when a popular Government is formed--based on a conversation with a well placed source.
The decision, which has now been refuted, as per the MLA was taken during a Kuki-Zo Council conference held on November 15 at Guwahati.
While a signed statement of two Kuki-Zo MLAs has refuted the report, the United Peoples' Front (UPF) and the Kuki National Organisation (KNO), the two umbrella organisations of Kuki militant groups have also asserted that no decision was taken in the Guwahati conference for  the MLAs to join or be part of any future Government in Manipur.
The statement, signed by Saitu AC MLA Haokholet Kipgen as convenor and Singhat AC MLA Chinlunthang as secretary, claimed the report was "misleading" and said it created "unnecessary public confusion".
At the Guwahati meet, there was a discussion on popular Ministry in Manipur.
However, no decision was taken by the Kuki-Zo MLAs to join the formation as alleged. Moreover, some Kuki-Zo MLAs were not present at the meeting, it said.
"In fact, there was a threadbare discussion on Separate Administration for the Kuki-Zo community focusing upon the gravity of the prevalent situation and circumstances," it further said.
The statement issued by the UPF and KNO also refuted the report and said no decision was taken for the MLAs to join the formation of a new Government.
"No such decisions were taken, nor was any commitment made to be part of any future Government formation," said the SoO militant groups' joint statement.
"No official resolution or decision was passed committing the Kuki-Zo MLAs to join a future popular Government. The discussion focused primarily on the urgent demand for a UT [Union Territory] with legislature," said the groups.
The overwhelming consensus and primary focus of the meeting was the demand for a Separate Administration. Any discussion concerning a future Ministry was strictly contingent upon progress on this core political objective and did not result in a binding decision to participate in Government formation under the current circumstances, they added.
"The Kuki-Zo MLAs and the collective Kuki-Zo leadership remain committed to achieving the political demand as their foremost priority," the UPF and the KNO added.