Manipur minister to secure Leo's release

IMPHAL, April 20: Tribal welfare minister Haokholet Kipgen has rushed to Keithelmanbi to secure the release of United Naga Council president K.S. Paul Leo, who was abducted by the Kuki National Front (Military Council) last Tuesday. Kipgen, a Kuki, has been appointed by Chief Minister Radhabinod Koijam to diffuse the crisis over Leo's abduction. Hopes for an early release of Leo emerged with the abductors toning down their demand of a complete halt in Nationalist Social Council of Nagalim's (Isak-Muivah) support to the Kuki Revolutionary Army, a rival outfit. Buckling under public pressure, the KNF(MC) has now demanded that the NSCN(IM) clarify on its support to the KRA. Tension between Nagas and Kukis in all the five hill districts of Manipur continued for the fourth day today, particularly in the Naga-dominated areas of Senapati district. Senapati has always been a theatre of Naga-Kuki ethnic conflict. The Kangpokpi sub-division is dominated by the Kukis. Organisations belonging to the major community - the Meiteis - are also exerting pressures on the Kuki outfit to release Leo unharmed. As there is a clear possibility of a communal flare-up if Leo is harmed, people from all sections of the state have demanded his release. Over 2,000 people have died so far in Naga-Kuki clashes since 1992. Naga leaders today established contact with the NSCN(IM) over Leo's abduction. Sources said that though the Naga rebel outfit had not given any commitment, Naga organisations, particularly the UNC and the All-Naga Students' Association of Manipur, have put pressure for Leo's release. They have conveyed to the NSCN(IM) the abductor's demand "not to interfere in the internal clash of the Kukis." Sources from Senapati district said that Naga organisations may call an agitation if the UNC president is not released. Security forces are heavily deployed in Keithelmanbi area of Kangpokpi sub-division. Two companies of India Reserve Battalion were deployed in the area to prevent any communal flare-up. Sources said that they knew about the presence of many militant outfits in the area but were applying restrained to facilitate Leo's release. The abduction of Leo is a fall-out of the killing of seven Kuki villagers at Awang Keithelmanbi village on April 12 by a combined team of NSCN(IM) and KRA. Since then, there have been frequent clashes between KNF(MC) and the joint team of KRA-NSCN(IM) in the area. Reports said four militants had been killed in the factional armed clashes. Sources said the KNF (MC) now wanted the NSCN(IM) and KRA to move out of Kangpokpi sub-division.