Sit-in demands shelving of SoO pact
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, December 14 2022:
Demanding immediate revocation of the suspension of operation (SoO) agreement signed between the government of Manipur and Kuki armed outfits, a sit-in protest was staged by women vendors of Pureilomba Keithel, Palace Gate on Wednesday.
The protest was organised under the aegis of People Alliance for Peace & Progress, Manipur.
Speaking to reporters on the side-lines of the agitation, Pureilomba Keithel Nupi Seva Committee secretary Ngangbam Babyratna contended that leaders of the Kuki outfits bound by the SoO agreement are all from Myanmar and are not the real citizens of Manipur.
These leaders, under the garb of leading the revolutionary movement, have been giving free passage to Kukis from Myanmar to enter and settle in the state.
Moreover, these people have wrongly interpreted and tried to dilute the 2000 years old history of Manipur and even went to the extent of claiming 'Koubru' and 'Thangjing'hills which are sacred places of the Meitei community as their land, she said while adding that under the immunity granted by SoO agreement, the Kuki militants have violating human rights in the state.
As such, the government should stop these activities by immediately terminating the SoO agreement in the interest of indigenous people of the state, she maintained.
Protestors used placards which read "KNA leader PS Haokip should be deported to his homeland Myanmar", "Peace agreement cannot be signed with outsiders", and "Identify outsiders and send them back to their homeland" .