Public demand to cancel SoO, protect State's integrity grows louder
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 04 2023: The call for protection of Manipur's integrity and immediate abrogation of Suspension of Operation (SoO) with Kuki militant groups is ever growing with more and more people coming out in support of the demand.

Sit-in demonstrations demanding withdrawal of the SoO pact and implementation of NRC in Manipur were staged today at Thangmeiband Lilasing Khongnangkhong and Patsoi Part-III Football Ground.

The sit-in held at Thangmeiband Lilasing Khongnangkhong was participated by residents of Thangmeiband Yumnam Leikai, Thangmeiband Meisnam Leikai and Tharon Khul.

Speaking on the sidelines of the protest, a protester Brajeshwari Laipubam appealed to the Government to initiate necessary measures to prevent the influx of illegal immigrants from Myanmar and implement NRC in the State.

Public demand to cancel SoO, protect State's integrity grows louder

She urged the Government to take immediate action to control the armed Kuki militants who have been attacking innocent civilians and burning houses in Meitei villages.

She also urged the Government to conduct the combing operation simultaneously both at the valley and the hills to prevent further violence in the State.

The protesters also displaced placards with slogans such as, "Safeguard Manipur's integrity", "Implement NRC in Manipur", "Cancel SoO with Kuki militant groups", "Deport illegal foreigners", etc.

Raising similar demands, Patsoi Tuliyaima Century Club (PTCC) also organised a sit-in protest cum awareness programme at Patsoi Part-III Football Ground.

At the sit-in, the protesters appealed to the Central and State Government to take immediate action to bring a sustainable solution for the prevailing conflict and restore peace & normalcy in Manipur.

Meanwhile, extending solidarity to the people affected by the ongoing conflict and denouncing the failure of Government to restore peace & protect the lives of innocent civilians and their properties, Leimarol Apunba Lup, Kanglei Sintha Semkat Lup Singjamei and Chirom Leikai Nupi Lamking Lup have unanimously resolved to launched a cease work protest from June 8-10, 2023 .

Besides, Communist Party of India, Manipur State Council (CPI/MSC) has asserted that the Union Government has miserably failed to consider the aspirations of the people of Manipur to immediately review the SoO with Kuki militant groups who have violated the ground rules of the pact.

In a release, CPI/MSC informed that the law & order situation arising out of the acts of terrorism meted out by the Kuki underground outfits under SoO coupled with the act of invasion by Chin Kuki militants using sophisticated weapons in Manipur has become worse day-by-day to an alarming proportion.

"Arson of houses, destruction of properties, killing of innocent civilians have become the order of the day", it added.

It also mentioned that the large chunk of paramilitary forces deployed in the State have failed to protect the residence of Sugnu AC MLA K Ranjit Singh in Serou village from being burnt down in the intervening night of May 4-5, 2023 .

Alleging that the central paramilitary forces deployed by the Union Government are functioning in a very biased manner in favour of Kuki militants, CPI/MSC said, "The State Government have no say in their deployment, modus operandi and strategy to control the situation, rather they are obeying the dictates of the Union Government.

The paramilitary forces are acting openly against the State Forces" .

"Inspite of knowing that the acts of terrorism carried out by Chin Kuki militants in Manipur amount to foreign invasion, the Union Government has failed to declare war against the foreign invaders or review the SoO till date", it added.