IMPHAL, September 24: The armed Kuki National Liberation Front (KNLF), a constituent of the umbrella Kuki National Organization (KNO) which has signed Suspension of Operation (SoO) between Government of India and Government of Manipur, has expelled former Chief of Army Staff of the outfit Tilthang Khongsai after he deserted from the outfit’s camp.
Talking exclusively to this daily at Chehlep Designated Camp of the outfit in Chandel district today evening, General Secretary of KNLF Lalmoi Haokip claimed that Tilthang Khongsai along with four cadres of the outfit deserted from the Chehlep Designated Camp on September 11.
He said that Chairman of the outfit asked the five deserters to approach the party’s camp within September 18 which they failed to do so.
As Tilthang Khongsai has been expelled from KNLF, the outfit is not related to him whatsoever.
Meanwhile, it is said that the four cadres who accompanied Tilthang Khongsai in the desertion were arrested by a troop of Assam Rifles from a place in Churachandpur district.
Meanwhile, it is reported that Chairman of KNLF has issued a statement following the arrest of the cadres.
According to the statement, former Army Chief of the outfit Tilthang Khongsai has been expelled for going against the party’s constitution.
The statement clarified that the outfit has no connection with Tilthang Khongsai in any way and that KNLF will not be held responsible for any deed committed by him.
Terming all the publications made by Tilthang Khongsai in the media as baseless, the statement further clarified that Chairman and General Secretary of the outfit have no knowledge of the publications.
