KNF(N) Denies Role in Manipur Clashes, Disowns Three Men Arrested Over Sunulok Ambush

The Kuki National Front (Nehlun), a non-SoO Kuki outfit, on Wednesday categorically denied any involvement in the recent ethnic clashes in Manipur, disowning three men arrested in connection with the Sunulok Hill ambush and asserting that they were neither members nor cadres of the outfit.

In a clarification issued on October 21, the KNF(N), through its Department of Information and Publicity, said Henminthang Khongsai (21), Lungunpao Kipgen (22) and Seilal Haokip (46) had no organisational links with the outfit.

The statement came a day after reports claiming that a joint team of the Imphal East district police's CDO and central security forces had arrested three active KNF(N) cadres from Khongbal Tangkhul village in Imphal East for their alleged involvement in the ambush at Sunulok Hill.

Rejecting the claims, the outfit said the three individuals were not associated with it in any capacity, distancing itself from the allegations surrounding their reported arrest.

The KNF(N) further asserted that it had no involvement in the ongoing conflicts between Meitei and Kuki communities or between Kuki and Tangkhul Naga groups, maintaining that its activities were confined to its own stated objectives and the interests of its people.

The organisation also claimed that it did not operate in the areas mentioned in the reports and was not a party to the conflicts cited.

The clarification comes amid continuing tensions in Manipur, where competing allegations and counterclaims over violence and the involvement of armed groups have added to concerns over the fragile security situation.