Abrogate SoO : DMCC, IPFM to PM, HM
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By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jul 21: The Indigenous People's Forum, Manipur (IPFM) and the Delhi Meetei Coordination Committee (DMCC) have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, demanding immediate abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki militant groups.
In the memorandum, the organisations claimed the controversial agreement has effectively become a license for abduction, extortion and targeted killing.
"Armed cadres under the SoO pact are engaged in the systematic intimidation of commercial drivers on Imphal-Jiribam road (NH-37), cross border terrorism, arms smuggling and large-scale narcotics trafficking," they alleged.
They argued that the SoO agreement has failed to foster peace and instead enabled militant groups to continue activities such as extortion, violence and intimidation.
With violence now expanding to a new Naga-Kuki front, IPFM and DMCC said the continued enforcement of the SoO agreement is a persistent assault on the rule of law and the democratic will of the people of Manipur.
Expressing concern over the killing of six Naga civilians, whose bodies were recovered on June 10 near Leilon Vaiphei, the two organisations alleged that the main perpetrators remain at large despite the suspects being identified.
They called for their immediate arrest and prosecution.
The organisation also extended solidarity to both Naga and Meetei families affected by the violent campaign of Kuki armed groups and their association.
The organisations further alleged bias in the functioning of security forces, claiming that Meetei and Naga communities have faced stricter security measures while Kuki militant groups operating under the SoO framework have enjoyed protection.
IPFM and DMCC claimed that law enforcement operations are predominantly focused on Meetei and Naga inhabited area while the Kuki strongholds from where abductions and killings are launched remain largely undisturbed.
Following the Governor's appeal for peace, Meetei groups had voluntarily surrendered their arms in good faith but several Kuki militant groups publicly declared they would not disarm unless Manipur is divided along ethnic lines, they said .
SoO groups receive monthly stipends and protection from military operations, all funded by taxpayers, they alleged, claiming that the situation in Manipur is the result of a calculated strategy of institutionalised discrimination that denies the people of Manipur the protection guaranteed by the Constitution.
Further claiming that actual sanctuaries of violence are shielded by the State apparatus, they called for impartial enforcement of the law and equal treatment of all communities.
They also condemned the arson incident at Kanto Sabal in Imphal West, where several houses were set on fire by Kuki miscreants on July 11.
They also claimed that security forces blocked Meetei and Naga villagers who attempted to extinguish the fire.
Kamal Babu, a Meetei civilian, disappeared from the same area last year, they said.
Questioning the security response despite the incident occurring close to major Army installations, they sought accountability from the authorities.
Among its key demands, the IPFM and DMCC urged the Central Government to ensure neutral security operations, recover illegal weapons and take legal action against those responsible for acts of violence.
They also called for decisive steps to restore peace, uphold the rule of law, and protect the territorial integrity of Manipur.
Furthermore, they demanded that immediate action be taken against Thangboi Kipgen, chairman of KNF (P), who is related to Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen.
IMPHAL, Jul 21: The Indigenous People's Forum, Manipur (IPFM) and the Delhi Meetei Coordination Committee (DMCC) have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, demanding immediate abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki militant groups.
In the memorandum, the organisations claimed the controversial agreement has effectively become a license for abduction, extortion and targeted killing.
"Armed cadres under the SoO pact are engaged in the systematic intimidation of commercial drivers on Imphal-Jiribam road (NH-37), cross border terrorism, arms smuggling and large-scale narcotics trafficking," they alleged.
They argued that the SoO agreement has failed to foster peace and instead enabled militant groups to continue activities such as extortion, violence and intimidation.
With violence now expanding to a new Naga-Kuki front, IPFM and DMCC said the continued enforcement of the SoO agreement is a persistent assault on the rule of law and the democratic will of the people of Manipur.
Expressing concern over the killing of six Naga civilians, whose bodies were recovered on June 10 near Leilon Vaiphei, the two organisations alleged that the main perpetrators remain at large despite the suspects being identified.
They called for their immediate arrest and prosecution.
The organisation also extended solidarity to both Naga and Meetei families affected by the violent campaign of Kuki armed groups and their association.
The organisations further alleged bias in the functioning of security forces, claiming that Meetei and Naga communities have faced stricter security measures while Kuki militant groups operating under the SoO framework have enjoyed protection.
IPFM and DMCC claimed that law enforcement operations are predominantly focused on Meetei and Naga inhabited area while the Kuki strongholds from where abductions and killings are launched remain largely undisturbed.
Following the Governor's appeal for peace, Meetei groups had voluntarily surrendered their arms in good faith but several Kuki militant groups publicly declared they would not disarm unless Manipur is divided along ethnic lines, they said .
SoO groups receive monthly stipends and protection from military operations, all funded by taxpayers, they alleged, claiming that the situation in Manipur is the result of a calculated strategy of institutionalised discrimination that denies the people of Manipur the protection guaranteed by the Constitution.
Further claiming that actual sanctuaries of violence are shielded by the State apparatus, they called for impartial enforcement of the law and equal treatment of all communities.
They also condemned the arson incident at Kanto Sabal in Imphal West, where several houses were set on fire by Kuki miscreants on July 11.
They also claimed that security forces blocked Meetei and Naga villagers who attempted to extinguish the fire.
Kamal Babu, a Meetei civilian, disappeared from the same area last year, they said.
Questioning the security response despite the incident occurring close to major Army installations, they sought accountability from the authorities.
Among its key demands, the IPFM and DMCC urged the Central Government to ensure neutral security operations, recover illegal weapons and take legal action against those responsible for acts of violence.
They also called for decisive steps to restore peace, uphold the rule of law, and protect the territorial integrity of Manipur.
Furthermore, they demanded that immediate action be taken against Thangboi Kipgen, chairman of KNF (P), who is related to Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen.