The People Of Zale'n-gam.

KUKI NATIONAL FLAG ZALE'N-GAM [KNO/KNA] Kuki National Army Formation The Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and its armed Wing, Kuki National Army (KNA), were formed in 1988. The first batch of the cadres, under the command of Thangkholun Haokip, was trained by the Kachin Independent Army (KIA) in Myanmar. Objectives The main objectives of the KNA is to bring together all the Kuki-inhabited areas separated by artificial boundary created in 1935, specifically in the Kabaw valley of Myanmar and the Kuki inhabited areas in the hill districts of Manipur under one administrative unit called ‘Zalengam’ (Land of freedom). In case of the eventuality of such integration not materializing, the KNA aims at the creation of two Kuki states: one within Burma i.e. ‘Eastern Zalengam’ and the other within India, ‘Western Zalengam’. The KNA’s relationship with other Kuki and Zomi militant outfits, however, remained hostile. On December 29, 2005, three Kuki militant outfits, the Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA), United Kuki Liberation Front (UKLF) and the Kuki National Front-Samuel (KNF-S), merged under the banner of the Kuki National Council (KNC) to carry out operations against the KNA. A decision to this effect was announced by the ‘commanding officer’ of the KRA, Maj Max, at Sadar Hills area in Manipur. In Myanmar, the Kuki National Army waged guerrilla warfare against the Military Junta between 1991 and 1999, mainly targeting patrol parties and also Steamers along the Chindwin River. Leadership P. S. Haokip is the ‘president’ of the KNO and ‘supreme commander’ of the KNA. Anton Kuki is the ‘Home Secretary’. The other senior members are Khaikholun, vice-president for Eastern Zalen-gam, Lalminthang Vaiphei, vice-president for Western Zalengam, S. N. G. Haokip, Public Relations Secretary, Amitabh T. S. Haokip, Defence Secretary, Zalen Kuki, Foreign Secretary, Joshua Haokip, Education and Development Secretary, T. H. German Haokip, Intelligence and Analysis Secretary, Benjamin Paite, Trade and Commerce Secretary, Kamkhenpao Zou, Art and Culture Secretary, Thangboi Karong, Forest and Environment Secretary and Thangsang Hmar, Medical Secretary. The KNA has an estimated strength of 6000 cadres armed with an array of weapons like AK-Series, G-series, M-series and 60mm mortar. Areas of Operation KNO/KNA operates in the hill districts of Manipur and adjoining areas in Assam. It also has marginal presence in the Kabaw valley in the Northwest of Myanmar. Finances The KNA primarily depends on extortion for financing its activities. Linkages The KNO/KNA maintains strategic linkages with the Kachin Independent Organisation/ Kachin Independent Army, the Democratic Alliance of Burma, an alliance of pro-democracy exile organizations and ethnic insurgent organizations in Myanmar and the Federation of Ethnic Nationalities of Burma. It is also known to have close working relationship with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K). Earlier, it maintained links with outfits such as the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) and Assam-based United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA). However, such linkages have weakened over the years. KNA is also an affiliate of the Indo-Burma Revolutionary Front, an umbrella organization of several militant outfits, including the ULFA, UNLF and the NSCN-K. Negotiations KNA has avoided confrontation with the security forces and have made appeals and sent petitions to the Union Government and other high-level officials in New Delhi for fulfilling their objectives. Memoranda submitted to the Government of India since 1995 include: 1. October 2, 1995: Memorandum to P. V. Narasimha Rao, Prime Minister. 2. October 4, 1995: Memorandum to A. B. Vajpayee, Leader of the Opposition. 3. June 17, 1996: Memorandum to H. D. Deve Gowda, Prime Minister. 4. January 27, 1997: Memorandum to K. R. Narayanan, President of India. 5. July 30, 2004: Memorandum to Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister. On September 22, 2005, the Union Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee informed in the Manipur capital Imphal that at least eight militant outfits (including the KNA) in Manipur have declared informal ceasefires' with the Union Government. However, on January 31, 2006, the agreement expired. Incidents 2010 December 5: The KNO conveyed its appreciation to the cadres who flooded back to the Organisation by complying unconditionally with the KNO leadership’s appeal. Some cadres had deserted the camps with arms/weapons on the 3rd September, due to some misunderstanding that had cropped up amongst the KNA, the Armed Wing of KNO. Jul 21: Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh on informed the State Legislative Assembly that the Joint Monitoring Group has sternly warned the leaders of KNA that action would be taken up if any of its cadres were found involved in inciting communal tension recently, in the border town of Moreh in violation of the ground rules of the SoO. 18 militants were killed and four others injured in the already reported gun battle between combined cadres of the KLA and KRA on one hand and Prithvi faction of the KNF on the other at Seijang Hill area on the border between Imphal East and Senapati Districts. The gun battle could be the result of a fight for territorial control of areas inhabited by the Kuki tribes, Police said. Official sources said both Prithvi faction of the KNF and KLA were signatories of the suspension of operation (SoO) agreement with the State Government and the Army for initiating the peace process. Under the agreement, Security Forces have suspended operations against the militant outfits and the militants were not allowed to carry arms. Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh had warned another signatory of the SoO agreement, the KNA, for allegedly violating ground rules and threatened to take action against them. While the KNA wants a ''Kukiland'' to be formed by integrating Kuki-settled areas of Manipur and Myanmar, Prithvi faction of the KNF and KLA demand a ''Kukiland'' by carving out Kuki-inhabited areas of Manipur. July 13: The Meetei Council, Moreh (MCM) and the Kha-Ngongpok Apunba Nupi Lup, Moreh have jointly imposed an indefinite bandh (general shut down) in Moreh from July 14, in protest against the alleged attempt by some suspected KNA cadres led by the outfit's 'town commander' to abduct MCM leaders from their respective houses. The armed cadres also warned that one leader would be killed if any of their labourers were hurt by valley based militants. June 10: The Kom Rem Youth Front Manipur (KRYF) criticized the KNA for not allowing Kom people to cast vote in two polling stations in the Autonomous District Council (ADC) polls. KRYF while saying that Kom people have been waiting to elect its representative in ADC since last 20 years asked the concerned authority to order for repoll for the said polling stations. June 2: The UKLF accused the KNA of indulging in threats and intimidations in the first phase of ADC election held on May 26, against the provisions of the Suspension of Operation ground rules. Consequently, people belonging to the Koms were denied their democratic rights to franchise in Sagang and Tuibuong areas in Churachandpur District and at Moreh area in Chandel District just to name a few, stated the UKLF. In the State Assembly Election held in February 2007, the KNA leaders were paid a huge amount of rupees for their active service on election duty though badly defeated and chased out from Saitu, Saikul and other constituencies, the UKLF said. May 28: A designated camp of the KNA was ingurated by Legislator of Tengnoupal Assembly Constituency, Onjamang Haokip, at Chehlep village in Chandel District. May 17: KNA 'cabinet member and information and publicity secretary', Lenin H. Kuki, defected to the UKLF in Chandel District. April 4: The Integrated Check Post (ICP) Joint Action Committee disclosed that they were threatened by president of Hill Tribal Council (HTC) Jangmang Haokip. The ICP Joint Action Committee (JAC) questioned the inaction of the Chandel District Administration in the face of open threat. The JAC asked whether the Chandel District Collector has any secret understanding with the HTC president regarding ICP compensation. All the extortion at Moreh was carried out by the KNA through HTC, alleged the JAC. Asserting that the Chandel District Collector is well aware of all these facts, the JAC demanded that distribution/payment of compensation should be delayed until the KNA is drive out from Moreh and Chandel District permanently. In case the Government is not in a position to drive out the KNA, the land owners should be shifted to a suitable place under an arrangement by the Government, it added. March 21: Apprehending reprisal from the KNA cadres, two families deserted their Moreh town houses seeking safer haven in capital Imphal. Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club in the presence of their husbands, two women, Hoikhotin Haokip and Veichin Lhungdim, said they no longer feel safe staying at the border town for the KNA is likely to resort to acts of violence to ‘punish’ them in the aftermath of the two family making public the armed outfit's insistence on percentage deduction out of the land compensation amount supposed to be provided by the State Government. Some residential areas of Moreh town had to be shifted to other places to accommodate construction of Integrated Check Post in connection with expansion of the India-Myanmar border trade. February 16: The Assam Rifles personnel arrested five Kuki militants when they were traveling in two vehicles along the National Highway-39 and Old Burma Road near Saivom village in Chandel District. They were identified as KLA cadre J. K. Kuki alias Stephen (40), his wife Lhingboi Toutang (40), KNA cadre Thangmang (32), his wife Lhigboi Haokip (30) and Paocha alias Mani (25). Seven AK-57 Rifles, two M-16 Rifle, one 9-mm pistol, eight Magazines of AK-56, one Magazine of 9-mm, two M-16 Magazine, 412 rounds of 7.62-mm, nine rounds 9-mm, one telescopic sight, two Muzzle flash hiders, four pairs of combat dress and two vehicles were recovered from their possession. February 13: The chief of Leisan village Tengnoupal who was the victim of a recent atrocity committed by the KNA cadres at T Bungmol village in Chandel District strongly criticized the recent press statement of Kuki Chiefs Association in Moreh claiming reaching of negotiation on the incident. February 7: The villagers of Leisan, Tengnoupal and T. Bungmual in Chandel District in a press conference at New Checkon in Imphal East District alleged that KNA, which is a signatory to the SoO agreement with Government, has been committing atrocities upon them. The report adds that two persons including a village chief were assaulted by KNA cadres at T. Bungmual village on February 1. January 21: The KNA, a signatory to the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement with the Union Government, declared its objective of creating an autonomous Kuki State under the relevant articles and provisions of the Indian Constitution. January 19: The KNA criticized successive Manipur Governments for their apathy towards the problems of Kuki people. 2009 November 24: A UKLF cadre, Benjamin Thangbem, is killed by KNA militants at Tuibong village in Churachandpur District. October 29: The chief of Thangal Surung village, K. Lengkham Thangal (60), and the secretary of the village authority, Salas Thangal (50), are wounded when they are assaulted by militants of the KNA in Senapati District. The KNA cadres, led by Thangpao Touthang, carry out the attack after Lengkham refuses to pay INR 20,000 demanded by Touthang for selling a timberland. March 20: Two KNA cadres, identified as Thanglei and Seikhohao, are arrested by the Assam Rifles personnel from Kamjong area in the Imphal West District. January 28: The dead body of a KNA cadre, Khailun, is recovered from a paddy field located in between Keibi Kumuda and Taretkhul under Lamlai Police Station in the Imphal East District. November 26: A UKLF cadre, Benjamin Thangbem, is killed by KNA militants at Tuibong village in Churachandpur District. October 29: The chief of Thangal Surung village, K. Lengkham Thangal (60), and the secretary of the village authority, Salas Thangal (50), are wounded when they were assaulted by militants of the KNA in Senapati District. The KNA cadres, led by Thangpao Touthang, carry out the attack after Lengkham refuses to pay INR 20,000 demanded by Touthang for selling a timberland. September 29: A large number of people took out a protest rally at Pallel in the Chandel District against capital punishment threats issued by the KNA outfit on two leaders of social organizations. March 20: Two KNA militants, identified as Thanglei and Seikhohao, are arrested by the Assam Rifles personnel from Kamjong area in the Imphal West District. January 28: The dead body of a KNA cadre, Khailun, is recovered from a paddy field located in between Keibi Kumuda and Taretkhul under Lamlai Police Station in the Imphal East District. 2008 November 13: The third meeting of the Joint Monitoring Group headed by Principal Secretary of the Manipur Home Department D. S. Poonia as Chairman is held with KNA leaders. During the meeting, four designated camps are identified besides issuing identity cards to the KNA leaders. November 13: A KNA cadre, Konsam Basanta Meitei alias Nanao, is arrested by the Imphal East district police commandoes from Top Khongnangkhong on November 13. He confessed during interrogation that he joined the KNA in the month of August 2008 and he was involved in extortion of money from private nursing homes and hospitals, the Manipur State Forest Department located in the Mantripukhri area of capital Imphal. September 21: One suspected KNA 'commander' is killed by the rival KNF militants at Samuthong under Lamlai police station. They decamp with an AK-47 of the slain militant. August 22: A trilateral agreement on Suspension of Operation between the Kuki National Organisation (KNO), Union Government and Manipur Government is signed in New Delhi. The KNO is a conglomeration of 11 Kuki militant outfits. August 5: Imphal East district police commandoes arrest one KNA cadre, Angshong Khoibu, from RIMS A-Block. August 4: Telegraph reported that the Manipur-based tribal militant groups, under the banner of KNO, are set to sign a cease-fire with the Centre to pave the way for peace talks. The organisation has 10 constituent member groups which have "agreed" to sign the cease-fire after three rounds of tripartite talks with the Union Home Ministry and State Government since February 2008. "Representatives of the KNO have agreed to sign the ceasefire during the last round of meeting held in Delhi on July 15. They have agreed to the ground rules and we are hoping that they would sign the ceasefire in the next meeting," a source said. July 17: The KNA militants shoot at and injured two persons, Thangkhanlen alias Helen and Tongken alias Kekeng, for allegedly trying to extort money in the guise of cadres of the outfit at Tiger Camp under Lamlai police station in the Imphal East district. July 2: The Jawahar Navodaya School at Umathel in the Thoubal district has decided to close down, due to the monetary demands made by the KNA, NNC and other militant outfits. July 1: The Zou Defence Volunteers (ZDV) outfit declares that it will no more operate under the Kuki National Organisation (KNO). June 20 : At least 500 villagers of Waakan area of Sadar Hills under Saikul police station in the Senapati district have fled from their respective homes and are taking shelter near Purum Likli and Champhai villages since June 16, after nearly 200 cadres of KRA and KNA took up positions for a gun-battle in the area. June 12 : Three KNA cadres are killed during a factional clash with the KRA at Molkon village under Saikul police station in the Senapati district. An India Reserve Battalion (IRB) personnel, Paokholun Lhungdim, is reported to have been killed in the crossfire. . June 9: Two KNA cadres and one KRA cadre are killed during a factional clash between two outfits at Molkon village under Saikul police station in the Senapati district. One KRA cadre also sustains injuries in the clash. June 8: Suspected KNA militants assault four fishermen along the boundary of Chandel and Churachandpur districts. The militants accuse them of being police informers. June 2: The United Committee Manipur in a memorandum submits to Manipur Governor Dr. S.S. Sidhu blamed the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement signed with the Kuki militant outfits for the rising crime and unchecked violence in some parts of the State. The civil society group says that due to the improper implementation of the truce details there were unrestricted and open extortions being carried out along with abductions for ransom which had become routine. It adds that the Imphal-Moreh Sumo service was suspended due to monetary demands imposed by the KNA on the transporters. May 31: Some villagers are assaulted by suspected cadres of the KNA and Military Council faction of the KNF, when they requested the militants not to take a percentage from their wages for works done under the National Rural Employment Generation Scheme (NREGS) at Tuibuong in the Churachandpur district. Five persons sustain injuries in the incident. May 30: People capture one KLA militant, Anoubam Naocha Sharma, while he was trying to extort money from a school headmaster, identified as Chingtham Priyokumar, at Uripok Baspati in the Imphal West district. He was later handed over to the Manipur Police. Two of his accomplices, however, managed to escape from the incident site. Sharma had served a monetary demand of INR 5 00000 to Priyokumar a month ago in the name of KLA. Meanwhile, another quoting Superintendent of Police of Imphal West district, L. Kailun, mentions that Naocha is a KNA cadre who was arrested by the Police from the extortion site. Naocha reportedly confesses that he joined the KNA six days back through one Ngairakpam Biren Singh and besides Biren operates under one Iboyaima Singh. May 11: Two persons, including a civilian and a suspected KNA militant, were killed when they were caught in a clash between two suspected Kuki groups, the USRA and Prithvi faction of the KNF, at Nangbram Nganukhong village under Yairipok police station in the Thoubal district. One AK rifle magazine along with 15 live rounds was recovered from the incident site. While the slain civilian is identified as Mayengbam Tomba, the slain KNA cadre is identified as Malsaun Vaiphei. According to another source, Malsaun is a cadre of the USRA. March 26: One KNA cadre, Alal Kuki, is killed in a gun-battle with the NSCN-IM militants at Chassad in the Ukhrul district. January 13: The UKLF claims responsibility for the killing of one Tongkhohao alias Haopu Haokip of Sinam village in the Chandel district. The outfit's 'information and publicity secretary' T.H. James Bond accused Haopu and his accomplice, Lunminthang Haokip, of assaulting a UKLF cadre at Pallel without any provocation on January 9. Haopu is a KNA defector. 2007 December 29: One civilian is wounded in an encounter between police personnel and KNA militants at the Thamnapokpi Sumilok hill range of Imphal East district. December 18: Three KNA militants, 'l/cpl' Lanmilien alias Timothy Haokip, 'pvt' Haokholet alias Albert Lhungdim and Henry alias Khailen, defect to the UKLF along with one AK 56 rifle with two magazines loaded with 150 rounds, one US Carbine with two magazines containing 150 rounds, a lathode propeller (80 mm) and 10 bombs, one M-21 rifle with 100 live rounds, one walkie-talkie set. This was reportedly the second case of defection from the KNA to the UKLF in 2007. December 10: One KNA militant, Paokhojang Khongsai alias Thangboy Khongsai, is arrested from Hatta in the Imphal East district. Thangboy hails from Monjang village in the Senapati district. Following his confession, another KNA cadre, Chungthang Haokip alias C.T. alias Thangboi, is arrested along with an extortion note from his rented accommodation at the Chassad Avenue. October 28: The dead body of a person, Thongkholun Haokip, is recovered from Imphal river near Thumbuthong bridge at Nahabam in the Imphal East district. Thongkholun Haokip and Tongthang Haokip were reportedly shot dead by Manipur Police personnel during a counter-insurgency operation at Mahabali Kabui Khul in the same district on October 24. According to police sources, they are KNA linkmen and are involved in extraction of ransom from employees of the public health engineering department. Meanwhile, the Kuki Students Organisation says that the duo, belonging to the Churachandpur district, were Manipur Rifles troopers, and were working as security guards at the residence of C. Doungel, the former State Legislator. October 25: One KNA cadre, Lalboi, is killed by KRA militants during a factional clash at Khamenlok under Saikul police station in the Senapati district. October 24: One person, identified as Tongthang Haokip, is shot dead by Manipur Police during a counter-insurgency operation at Mahaballi Kabui village under Porompat police station in the Imphal East district. According to police sources, Haokip was killed while coming to collect ransom from employees of the state public health engineering department on behalf of the KNA. October 5: One KNA militant, Thonglan Touthang, is arrested by security force personnel during a search operation at Sanjenthong in the Imphal East district. September 13: A KNA cadre, Thangzang Haokip, is arrested from New Lambulance in the Senapati disitrct. July 15: Two labourers, identified as Yumnam Ibungo and Keisham Inaobi, are assaulted by unidentified KNA cadres at Samusong village in the Senapati district. July 14: Police arrested the ‘army chief’ of KNA, Seikhojang Haokip alias Robert, from Imphal airport. He is arrested from the passengers’ lounge of the airport waiting to board a Delhi-bound flight. "We took the KNA leader into custody because the state government does not recognise the outfit’s arrangement with the army. We are interrogating him," Imphal West superintendent of police Clay Khongsai said. June 8: Police arrested two KNA cadres, Kangjam Chittaranjan alias Taton alias Jack and Arambam Bhagat alias Dudu, at Langol Game Village in the Imphal West district. May 23: Police personnel arrested two KNA cadres, identified as T.S. Chochon and Paolun alias Helun Haokip, at Hatta Golapati area in the Imphal East district. April 24: Two suspected KNA cadres, identified as Haokhmang Haokip and Lhunminlan Khongsai, are shot dead by its rival KNF-P at Sapermaina Bazaar in the Senapati district. March 13: Six militants belonging to the KNA are killed while one sustained injuries in a factional fight with the KNF at Phaijang village in the Senapati district. February 5: A KNF militant belonging to the President faction, identified as Hengoumang Kipgen was killed and another cadre was injured in an internecine clash at Koubru Leikha under Sapermaina police station in the Senapati district. February 5: A Kuki National Front (KNF) militant belonging to the President faction was killed and another belonging to the Kuki National Army (KNA) was injured in an internecine clash between two outfits at Koubru Leikha under Sapermaina police station in the Senapati district. The killed KNF militant was identified as Hengoumang Kipgen 2006 December 23: The Kuki National Organisation (KNO), the political wing of Kuki National Army (KNA), asked the UNLF and its armed wing, Manipur People's Army (MPA), to stop operating in Kuki areas, stating their presence and activities have caused serious harm to the Kuki communities. December 4: A civilian, Hoichong Haokip, is killed in crossfire between security force personnel and the Kuki National Army cadres at Sipiyang village in the Senapati district .Police sources said one M-16 rifle, two magazines, several live rounds, eight number of letter heads, photographs, dresses, magazine pouch and shoulder badges bearing KNA logo were recovered from the incident site. November 30: The 'public relation officer' of the Samuel faction of the Kuki National Front, 'captain' Namjapao, was shot dead and another cadre, Henjapao, sustained injuries when they were attacked by the rival Kuki National Army cadres at Bijang in the Churachandpur district. November 21: A civilian, identified as Hatneo, was injured in a crossfire that followed the attack on a camp of the KNA by a rival unidentified outfit at Muolvailup village in the Ukhrul district. November 9: The Kuki National Army militants reportedly seized seven grams of heroin No. 4 from at least 15 alleged drug traffickers at various places in Tuibuong and Hmar Veng areas of Churachandpur district. November 7: Suspected KNA militants shot dead a woman, Nemkhohoi alias Hoineu, at Tuibuong Hmarveng area in the Churachandpur district. District police recovered the dead body and also recovered a few grams of heroin from her possession. October 21: Three suspected KNA cadres are killed in an attack by militants belonging to the KRA at Ekou under Saikul police station in the Senapati district. September 21: Three ZRA cadres are beaten to death after being abducted by rival cadres of the KNA at Sielmat in the Churachandpur district. August 2: KNA kills a civilian, R.K. Pratap, at Saparmeina Bazaar in the Senapati district. 2005 September 22: Union Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee informs in Imphal that at least eight militant outfits (including the KNA) in Manipur have declared informal ceasefires' with the Union Government. March 6: A KNA cadre is killed at Kanglatombi in the Imphal West district January 20: KNA cadres abduct Additional Chief Engineer of Irrigation and Flood Control Department from Khumanom village in the Churachandpur district. January 12: A combined team of the United Kuki Liberation Front (UKLF) and Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) militants kill the ‘chief’ of Kuki National Army (KNA), Vipin Haokip, during an internecine clash at Bijang in the Churachandpur district. January 12: Security force personnel kill a suspected KNA militant, identified as Zangkhopao Kuki, during an encounter between Panshang and Molnom villages in the Ukhrul district. January 7: KNA cadres kill a student, identified as Tongthang Khongsai, at Molnom Kuki village in the Ukhrul district . 2004 November 16: The Imphal East district police during a search operation arrested a KNA cadre, identified as Hegin Lupho alias Paogin, from Mahabali Kabui village in the Imphal East district. September 21: Security forces arrest two militants belonging to the Kuki National Front-Military Council (KNF-MC) and the KNA during cordon and search operations at New Checkon in the Imphal East district. 2003 January 20: KNA militant abducts the Additional Chief Engineer of Irrigation and Flood Control Department from Khumanom village in the Churachandpur district. 2002 September 1: Manipur Police arrest two KNA militants at Pureilomba in the Imphal East district. They had allegedly come to collect an extortion amount of INR 2.7 lakh from a local businessman. April 8: The KNA declares a cease-fire with the NSCN-IM. 1997 June 13: Fifteen Myanmar security force personnel and 10 civilians are killed as the KNA ambushes an Army truck at Thenjen village of Myanmar bordering the Chandel district of Manipur. 1994 October 23: Chief of KNA, Hanglen, in a press statement, ‘vows to establish’ a ‘Kuki State’ within Burma (Myanmar). 1993 April 15: KNA militants kill four Naga militants and set ablaze their houses in the Parouland and Kutal Khunthak villages of Chandel district.

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