IMPHAL, April 4 – Formed three years ago with an objective to bring all the Kuki underground outfits operating in this border and volatile state into one common platform, the United Kuki Liberation Front (UKLF) has once again appealed to all kuki groups to come forward to achieve its common goal. “Our main motto is Kilungkhat Galjo in our local tongue which signifies re-unification among the Kuki outfits under one common agenda” says S S Haokip, Commander in-Chief of the UKLF.
There are around five Kuki underground outfits in Manipur even though the Kuki population is comparatively lesser than the majority Meiteis. Most of these Kuki outfits are demanding a “separate homeland” within the Indian union. Among them are Kuki National Front (KNF) and Kuki Liberation Army (KLA), Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA), Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA). However unlike others, UKLF is looking forward to seeing them “re-unite” before pledging their demand.
Talking to this correspondent at a hilly terrain at Dingpi area of Chandel district bordering Myanmar on the sidelight of the 3rd raising day celebration of the outfit recently, Haokip pointed out, “If we go for separate demands, it won’t be able to hit the target properly, so the demand has to be placed through a common platform for a common political agenda representing all the 22 Kuki sub-tribes”. He further stated that as part of its effort to re-unite the Kuki groups, an understanding has been reached with KRA and KNF so far to highlight the hopes and aspiration of the Kukis. Giving an account of the formation of the Front, Haokip said UKLF was formed on March 29,2000 following an agreement with the NSCN(IM) to strengthen people-to-people relationship among all ethnic groups of Manipur particularly among the Kukis and Nagas.
D John Lamkang, Chief Administrative Officer of the NSCN(IM) Khurmi region attended the raising day function as the chief guest wherein thirteen village chiefs of the area were presented traditional shawls by the UKLF chief. Since its formation, at least 6 cadres of the outfit lost their lives in different incidents.