New Delhi: Mangkholm Kipgen alias David, self-styled commander-in-chief of the Kuki National Front (KNF) who was caught by the Special Cell, has made some shocking revelations. He said that he joined the KNF in 2018 as he supported its demand for a separate state for Kuki people.
David said that he was involved in a number of incidents of kidnapping and extortion and the organisation runs with this money.
The Kuki people are an ethnic group living in Manipur. Some people of this group are demanding the creation of a separate state or union territory. The KNF was formed May 18, 1988, by Ranko Thangboi Kuki. Its purpose was to create a separate state or union territory for the Kuki society. In recent times, the KNF has been divided into several factions.
The KNF consists of more than 500 members who carry out many crimes including kidnapping and extortion. The main source of income of this organisation is extortion. For this, it kidnaps officers or contractors of big companies for ransom. It is in touch with other terrorist outfits as well.
Also read:Kuki National Front chief held in Delhi
According to DCP Pramod Kushwaha, David is a resident of Kangpokpi district of Manipur. He has a large group of armed militants in Manipur, through whom he carries out kidnapping, extortion, weapon snatching etc. Accused David has studied till class 7. In the year 2018, he came in contact with the members of the Kuki National Front and joined them. In no time, he had made his place in the organisation by snatching weapons from the police, kidnapping, extorting and committing other crimes. In June 2020, he had declared himself as the commander-in-chief of the KNF.
On December 12, 2020, David along with his accomplices attacked a police post and snatched INSAS rifles from the two sentries present there and fled. In this case, eight of his associates were arrested, but he was absconding. On February 18, 2021, David along with his associates kidnapped Nepalese citizen Tikaram Rizal for ransom. Two persons were arrested in this case, including his younger brother.
On September 13, which is observed as black day by the Kukis, the KNF gave a bandh call in Manipur. On that day, David saw a truck plying on a national highway defying the bandh call. He then fired at it and took responsibility for his action.
