Our Correspondent
Imphal, Oct. 12 (EMN): Kuki people on Friday paid rich tribute to Nehlun Kepgen, the founder of the Kuki National Front (KNF), the oldest Kuki armed group, on his 25th death anniversary at his memorial site at Phaijang village, Motbung, 25 km north of Imphal under Kangpokpi district.
In commemoration of his death anniversary, many Kuki people gathered this morning at the memorial site and paid tribute to the late leader and other deceased cadres who made supreme sacrifices for the cause of the Kukis.
The KNF leaders including Aaron paid floral tributes to the late founder at the memorial site followed by other members of the organisation and various civil bodies including Kuki Chiefs Association Manipur (KCAM), Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills (KISH), Sadar Hills Kuki Chief Association (SHKCA) and others.
President of KCAM, SDKCA, and KISH while recalling the late leader’s simplicity, determination, vision and love for the community said that Kepgen had travelled to all the nook and corner of the Kuki dominated lands and met with every Kuki representatives.
Born at Khoripoh village near Keithelmanbi area, Kepgen began his campaign to set up Kuki armed movement in Indo-Burma border area in December 1986 and founded the KNF on May 18 1987 at Molnoi in Burma. He died at the hands of security forces on October 12, 1993 at Motbung and his mortal remains was laid to rest at the present memorial site at Phaijang village. KNF is a signatory of the ongoing Suspension of Operation (SoO) involving centre and state governments.
SoO was signed by the Centre, Manipur government and two conglomerates of Kuki militant outfits – Kuki National Organisations (KNO) and United Peoples’ Front (UPF). The pact was first signed in 2008 and extended. There are around 20 armed groups under KNO and UPF.
