Protest demanding revocation of SoO pact continues
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, December 18 2022:
Supporting the protest movement launched by People Alliance for Peace & Progress Manipur, which is demanding the government to withdraw the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement signed with the Kuki armed outfits, Lamdaibung Social Welfare Club and Lamdaibung Women Welfare Association jointly staged sit-in protest at Kakwa Lamdaibung on Sunday.
Speaking on the sidelines of the protest, Welfare Association secretary L Roshini Devi contended that protest demonstration launched by the Alliance is justifiable as leaders of the armed outfits and signatories of the peace deal namely KNO/KNA, ZRO and ZRA are all from neighbouring country Myanmar.
The leaders such PS Haokip and Thang Lian Pao were born in Molnoi, which is under Saigang division of Myanmar while Dr S Haokip was not only general secretary of Zomi National Congress (Burma) but was even an MP of Burma, she informed, while adding that the objective of KNO/KNA is to establish their geo-political entity or country and UPF/ZRA/ZRO want to have different rules.
In order to make it possible, poppy plantation and manufacturing of drugs began by those who have signed the SoO pact with the government, she alleged and while accusing the outfits of bringing in illegal Kukis from Myanmar and aiding them to reside in the state so as to expand their population.
While claiming that Kuki insurgents holed up in numerous designated camps in Churachandpur, Pherzawl, Tengnoupal and Kangpokpi districts continue to indulge in various anti-social activities, the secretary said failure by the authorities concerned to rein in the outfits' cadres is not only creating communal discord in the state but also affecting security of Manipur and India government.
As such, she urged to abrogate the SoO deal between government and militants and to remove the designated camps.
The protestors held placards inscribed with 'Deport foreigner KNA leader PS Haokip', 'Identify & deport foreigners' and 'No to peace talks with foreigner' among others.