NSF rebuts KNO statement

Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has rebutted the allegation of Kuki National Organization (KNO), reported in a section of the local press December 1 last, in which KNO dragged its name.

In a press release, NSF president Kelhouneizo Yhome and speaker R.S.Jollyson said the federation strongly denounced such “unfounded and concocted news item” and deemed as deliberate defaming of its image.

Asserting it never functioned under any duress nor at the behest of any individual or organization, NSF pointed out that its team was never sent to Aizwal by NSCN (I-M) as alleged by KNO.

NSF maintained that in 2010, its team reached out to all the north eastern states and met its counterparts to make them understand the reason of banning vehicular movement with Manipur registration number in all the Naga inhabited areas.

It explained that the imbroglio began when the NSF team was not allowed to enter the Naga areas in Manipur where its federal assembly was supposed to be held at Oinam village, under Tahamzam (Senapati) district.

Subsequently, NSF said it served an ultimatum on Manipur government to tender an apology and to revoke the decision of the same within 24 hours.

While awaiting a positive response from the Manipur government, NSF said Manipur state forces mercilessly gunned down two young students at Mao gate who were active members of NSF. The federation said was then left with no option but to resort to its own course of agitation.

In the course of the agitation, the federation said it felt that it was pertinent to appraise the neighboring states and make them understand the exact reason of its action and garner their support towards the ensuing agitation.

Accordingly, the NSF said its representatives met all the counterparts of different states including Mizo Students’ Union (MZP) but not the “so called” YMA or any Kuki gentleman as claimed by the KNO.

NSF said the agenda of touring was purely on the ensuing agitation in the form of banning the vehicular movement by NSF in Naga inhabited areas. The federation advised the KNO to restrain from issuing such misleading statements in future.