Naga leader freed by Kuki militants

IMPHAL, April 21: United Naga Council (UNC) president KS Paul Leo was released by Kuki rebels late last night. He was abducted on Tuesday. His abductors - the Kuki National Front (Military Council) - freed him "unharmed." The exact deal for the release was not spelt out. A negotiating team led by Manipur tribal welfare minister Haokholet Kipgen camped at Keithelmanbi village in Kangpokpi subdivision last night to ensure Leo's release. Negotiators, including Church leaders, went inside the dense forest to strike a deal with the rebels at their hideout. Talks with the Kuki militants started at 9 pm and Leo was freed at 1.30 am. Following mounting public pressure, the KNF(MC) scaled down its demand and settled for a clarification from the NSCN(IM) on the issue. With Leo's release, tension in all the five hill districts have subsided. Leo was brought to the city by the tribal welfare minister at 4 am. They called upon Chief Minister Radhabinod Koijam later in the day. A joint prayer meeting by both the Kuki and the Naga leaders was held at Kipgen's official residence following which Leo left for Senapati. The UNC president expressed gratitude to all the public organisations for praying for his "safe" release. He said the Kuki militants had treated him properly and claimed that the KNF(MC) wanted peace. According to Leo, the outfit was not in favour of disrupting the fragile Naga-Kuki truce. He said his "understanding of KNF(MC)" has increased after spending five days with them. "Around midnight, a militant asked me whether I wanted to leave now or tomorrow. I said I wanted to leave right away. They showed me the way and I met the negotiating team," he said. Leo would now work for improving the strained Naga-Kuki relationship. Addressing mediapersons, Kipgen said he along with sericulture minister L. Jonathan and other public leaders of both the tribes camped the entire night at Keithelmanbi village to encourage the negotiators. He said Leo was released after four rounds of talks with the KNF(MC) since Wednesday. "We waited for five hours and then heard about Leo's release. The Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO), All-Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM) and Manipur Baptist Church played a major role in Leo's release," he said. Jonathan, a Naga minister from Senapati district, said Leo's release has eased tension. He added that the KSO and the ANSAM would now work for the improvement of ties between the Nagas and the Kukis. Jonathan said the Chief Minister will convene a meeting of all the communities on May 1 regarding Leo's "abduction." He said the state government has done everything "within its power" to prevent communal flare-up. When asked why the security forces did not launch any operation to rescue the UNC president, both Kipgen and Jonathan said it was not required as they wanted to resolve the issue mutually. The "exact" agreement between the negotiators and the KNF(MC) leaders for Leo's release has been kept under wraps. Sources believe that the NSCN(IM) has given a clarification on its alleged support to the KRA. The KNF (MC) reportedly agreed to release Leo "in respect of public sentiments and the clarification given by the NSCN(IM)", sources added. Leo today admitted that he had failed to fulfil a commitment to the KNF(MC) while ensuring the release of four Nagas hostages from their custody in the first week of April. Leo was also a signatory to the understanding signed with the KNF(MC).