Formation
Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), meaning "the Organisation to save the revolutionary movement in Manipur" is a Meitei terrorist group formed in January 1994 following merger of the Oken faction of the United National Liberation Front (UNLF), the Meiraba faction of People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) and the Ibo Pishak faction of the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP).
The outfit suffered a major setback after its inception when two of its top leaders—‘chairman’ N. Oken and ‘commander-in-chief’ N. Thouba Singh, were reportedly arrested on an unspecified date. Earlier during 1995-96, a large number of its lower-ranking cadres either deserted the outfit or surrendered before the security forces. Further in 1996, the outfit split into—the KYKL (O), led by Namoijam Oken and KYKL (T) led by Achou Toijamba. However, after five years of inter-group rivalry, the Oken and Toijamba factions decided to reunite sometime in mid-February 2002. Reports indicated that the move was prompted by the purported objective of unity among various terrorist outfits in the region.
Objective
The purported objective of the KYKL is to ‘rebuild’ the Manipuri society by clearing it of all vices like immoral activities, drug trade and corruption. According to the KYKL ‘Public Relations Officer’ S.K. Loya, the group stands for ‘nationalism’ of the entire Northeastern region to be based on the principle of "all for one and one for all". Towards the end of 2001, the outfit launched ‘Operation New Kangleipak’ (ONK), an ‘anti-corruption’ campaign to ‘clean up’ the educational system in Manipur. While the outfit continues its activities under the ONK, it has also pledged open support to other terrorist groups who reportedly work against the narcotics trade, drug addiction, immoral activities and corruption in the society.
Leadership
Following reunification in 2002, the outfit has formed an ad hoc ‘central executive committee’, with Achou Toijamba as ‘chairman’ and Keisham Yaima as the ‘general secretary’. It has also formed a ‘military commission’ known as Meeyamgi Yawol Lanmee (MYL), which is jointly headed by Namoijam Oken and Toijam Ibochou. Keirungba Khuman is the ‘deputy finance secretary’ in whose name extortion notes to the general public are reportedly issued.
Areas of Operation
The outfit primarily operates in the four valley districts of Imphal East, Bishenpur, Thoubal and Imphal West in Manipur.
Source of Funding
KYKL funds its activities primarily through extortion that it collects jointly with the Nagaland-based National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM). For instance, media reports had indicated that an unidentified faction of the KYKL had aimed to extort between Rupees 20 million to 30 million during the February 2002 Legislative Assembly elections in Manipur.
Linkages
The outfit has close linkages with the Nagaland-based NSCN-IM. Further, indications of a re-grouping of terrorist outfits in the region was visible towards the later part of the year 2002 with the nexus between the Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA), Kanglei Yayol Kanna Lup (KYKL) and the NSCN-IM. Besides, the KYKL has also developed ‘working arrangements’ with the Meghalaya-based Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC). Reports have also indicated that KYKL maintains links with the Khaplang faction of the NSCN (NSCN-K) with the latter providing training and shelter to KYKL cadres at its bases in Myanmar.