Naga and Kuki bodies urge for safe release of Paul Leo

IMPHAL, April 18: All the major pressure groups of Naga and Kuki communities today made an impassioned appeal to the KNF (MC) for the unconditional release of the president of the UNC KS Paul Leo who was abducted by the Kuki militants Tuesday near Keithelmanbi in Senapati district. The leader of both Naga and Kuki communities including the presidents of All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM) and Kuki Students' Organization (KSO) at an emergency meeting held at the residence of the Tribal Development Minister Haokholet Kipgen this afternoon resolve to put on record the safe keeping of Ks Paul Leo by KNF (MC) with gratitude. The meeting which lasted for more then four hours also resolved to repose full trust upon the Kuki Civil bodies such as KIM, KSO, KMA KHRM and the church leaders for safe release of KS Paul Leo at the earliest. The emergency meeting which was initiated by 53 concerned representatives belonging to various organisation of Kuki and Naga apart from discussing the escalating tension arising out of the infighting among the armed groups appeal to all the armed groups of both the communities to refrain from annihilating each other including the innocent civilians. It also appealed to take up serious concern so that a communal flare up is not precipitated. The meeting also resolved that the harmonious co existence of the two communities be promoted and encouraged. While the two community leaders are undertaking a continuing process for normalizing the situation, it made an appeal unconditional release of KS Paul Leo in order to defuse the prevailing tension and enhance a conducive atmosphere for the two communities. In view of the sudden development, the bus services from Imphal to Senapati and all the buses which were supposed to reach here had cancelled their normal services.