IMPHAL: The United Kuki National Army (UKNA) has claimed responsibility for the attack on the Oil and Gas tankers on the NH-37 connecting Imphal-Silchar amidst strong condemnation from the Manipur Chief Minister and various quarters on Wednesday.
In a statement, the Defense Secretary of the UKNA owned responsibility for gun attacks on the vehicles plying on the NH-37 and stated that it was launched as a first offensive operation against the supply of essential commodities and other weaponry in aid of the Meitei community.
The UKNA felt sorry for injuring a driver during the operation and further, it is warned that no Imphal-bound goods vehicle transporations should ply on the NH-37 with immediate effect.
The offensive operation has been initiated by the outfit given the acute humanitarian crisis caused by the state government in the past 11 months and to check the illegal transportation of lethal bombs and other weaponry to attack the Kuki people.
It further states that the operation is a continuing process and any transporters neglecting these orders should be treated as the enemy of the Kukis and he or she will face the consequence of disobedience for which he or she shall be responsible.
Meanwhile, in response to a poser raised by newsmen on the sideline of a function at Imphal, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Sindh revealed that operations to trap the Kuki militants responsible for the attacks on the NH-37 have been started. He also strongly condemned the acts of the militants.
Notably, a convoy of goods carriers including fuel tankers, escorted by security personnel, was moving toward Imphal when Kuki militants attacked them with a volley of fire at around 10.30 am in between Tollen Kuki village and Kaimai village under Tousem sub-division, Tamenglong district. One driver sustained bullet injuries and four trucks caused damages.
Several voluntary organisations including Manipur Drivers’ Association (MDA), Youth’s Forum for Protection of Human Rights (YFPHR), Joint Tribes Students’ Association (JTSA) of All Inpui Students’ Union (AISU), Zeme Students’ Organisation, Manipur (ZSOM), Rongmei Naga Students’ Organisation, Manipur (RNSOM), and Liangmai Naga Kati-mai Ruangdi, Manipur (LNKR-M) among others have condemned in the strongest terms the armed attack on trucks.