Pillai’s Manipur Visit To Push Kuki Militants to Negotiation

Imphal, Mar 10 : The efforts to bring the Kuki National Front (KNF) which signed an agreement for suspension of operations with the Union Government in 2005 to negotiating table have gained momentum following Union Home Secretary G K Pillai’s recent visit to the state.

Pillai held a series of meetings with the Kuki leaders.

Pillai recently met the cadres and civil leaders of the KNF at Ebenezer Peace Camp at Natheljang village in Senapati District.

The KNF, a signatory group of Suspension of Operations (SoO) and the oldest of the Kuki militant outfits on its part submitted several demands including formation of a separate state “Kuki Land” to Pillai.

Interacting with media, Pillai expressed appreciation and said that he is glad that the Kuki militant outfit has given up guns for the sake of bringing peace.

He also called for stern action against those who break the truce ground rules.

“If a group will abjure violence, we can then sit and talk. There are no conditions on either side,” Pillai said.

Pillai, who also reviewed the law and order situation in Manipur, expressed concern over the growing extortion culture in the state.

We are quite prepared to handle these groups. I think everybody realizes extortion is the biggest problem and any group that comes up is coming up for money,” he added.

According to Pillai many separatist outfits from northeast have camps across the border, especially in Myanmar.

After Pillai’s visit to Myanmar in January this year, both countries agreed to launch a `coordinated operation’ against northeast separatist outfits taking shelter and setting up base camps there.

The Centre is doing its best to bring about a positive change in the northeast - and, that can be possible if there be peace and tranquillity.