Imphal, January 18, 2007: Dismissing contention of Assam Rifles authorities that an IED planted by the UNLF went off at SL Changpol village injuring one Holkholim, the UG group snubbed the claim as part of the Indian Army’s well-known propaganda campaign.

Hitting back at the Army establishment, a statement issued today by the outfit’s senior publicity officer Ksh Yoiheiba alleged that security forces had been barricading their camps with explosives comprehending MPA offensive only to blame UNLF when civilians are killed or maimed.

Referring to the AR statement on the SL Changpol blast, Yoiheiba said the Indian Army’s propaganda to malign image of the UNLF is another diversionary tactics to lift morale of AR troopers especially after severe setbacks recently suffered in the futile Khengjoi campaign.

Having failed to flush out MPA cadres from its camps located in Khengjoi area where security forces resorted to intense mortar shelling forcing the villagers to flee it is knowledgeable that Army authorities would resort to such blame game, maintained the UNLF statement.

Alleging that security forces are currently occupying village churches, schools and houses apart from making the villagers human shields to discourage MPA cadres from launching counter-offensive, yoiheiba also claimed of villagers informing that Army personnel prohibit movement from dusk till dawn in addition to laying landmine in the vicinity of the villages.

He further prevailed upon the Army authorities not to be naive of the fact that people of Manipur could no longer be fooled into believing such propaganda.

Source: The Sangai Express