A massive rally was organised in the border town of Moreh on Saturday, demanding the release of two tribals, allegedly kidnapped by a Kuki militant group, the United Kuki Liberation Front (UKLF).
The UKLF is a signatory to the Suspension of Operations agreement with the Union government, signed on August 22, 2008.
The rally was organised by the Hill Tribal Council (HTC), a civil society organisation, which is miffed over the charge that it had snatched cheques from the tribals of Moreh who were compensated by the State government for acquiring 45 acres for the construction of an integrated check-post there.
The kidnapped persons were identified as Semjathang Haokip and Ngamjathang Lhungdim, activists of the Joint Action Committee formed to demand compensation for the 400 tribal families.
The HTC alleged that the abducted persons were arm-twisted to tell journalists that it had snatched the cheques. It was further alleged that the HTC had demanded a 50 per cent cut from the compensation amount. The HTC has strongly denied these charges.
HTC president Jangmang Haokip also submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and marked copies to all concerned, for the early payment of compensation to the affected tribal families.
