KNF Slams Allegations as ‘Malicious Attempt to Muddy the Waters’, Claims Political Plot to Derail Kuki Political Talk

Amid escalating tensions and competing narratives over the recent wave of violence in Manipur’s hill districts, the Kuki National Front (KNF) on Saturday strongly denied allegations linking the organisation to a series of deadly attacks, abductions and killings that have rocked the region.

The outfit rejected accusations that it was involved in attacks on Loibol Khullen, Kultuh and Langka villages, as well as the abduction and killing of six Konsakhul villagers and the violence that followed the burning of Kharam Vaiphei village.

The organisation described the allegations as “false, unverified and politically motivated,” asserting that sections of the media, social media commentators, civil society leaders and political figures had irresponsibly linked the group to incidents without substantiated evidence.

“The organisation unequivocally denies any involvement,” the statement said, adding that repeated attempts to associate the KNF with recent bloodshed were aimed at tarnishing its image and misleading the public.

Escalating its counterattack against critics, the KNF alleged that the continuing unrest in Manipur’s hill areas was being “engineered” by certain political actors and social activists seeking to derail the long-pending political settlement process being pursued under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) framework.

The group accused some sections of the media of spreading “false propaganda” and urged journalists to verify facts on the ground before publishing reports that could further inflame an already volatile situation.

The KNF also mounted a strong defence of Kuki Village Volunteers, describing them as community defenders who emerged following the outbreak of ethnic violence in May 2023.

According to the organisation, the volunteers have been protecting Kuki villages, lives and properties from attacks and have made significant sacrifices during the ongoing conflict.

While acknowledging that Kuki villages continue to face attacks and destruction, the group asserted that the volunteers retain the right to defend their communities and ancestral lands against threats.

The KNF further alleged that efforts to drag the organisation into recent incidents were part of a broader strategy to disrupt ongoing political dialogue between Kuki-Zo groups and the Government of India.

Calling the allegations a “malicious attempt to muddy the waters,” the outfit maintained that it remains committed to resolving the Kuki political issue through dialogue rather than armed confrontation.

“As a signatory to the Suspension of Operations agreement with the Government of India, the Kuki National Front stands committed to resolving the age-old political issue of the Kuki-Zo people through political dialogue and not by military power,” the statement said.

The release concluded with a direct appeal against what it termed misinformation, declaring: “Truth must prevail over misinformation.”