Sit-in against SoO continues; FoH slams 'homeland' demand
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, December 20 2022: Protest demanding revocation of the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement signed between the government and Kuki militants being spearheaded by People Alliance for Peace & Progress Manipur continued on Tuesday with sit-ins staged at Singjamei and Nongmeibung Nambam Chuthek market sheds.

Speaking to media persons, one of the protestors named Ningombam Ibetombi pointed out that the state is not only seeing large-scale infiltration of outsiders, but these outsiders are also now trying to seize power.

Hence, it is of utmost importance that the government identifies and deports them from the state.

It's time for all indigenous youth to take the matter seriously, she added.

During the sit-in, the protestors held placards inscribed with demands for deportation of foreigner KNA leader PS Haokip, not holding peace talk with foreigners, etc.

Meanwhile, Federation of Haomee (FoH) has asserted that a separate state carved out from Manipur cannot be demanded by foreigners, as they have no understanding of the history of indigenes of the state.

In a release issued, FoH secretary general Yazing Vicisy stated that the sit-in protest staged by Kuki State Demand Committee at Jantar Mantar in Delhi demanding a separate state will yield no result.

Kukis should know that their relentless immigration since 1830 into Manipur will not make them indigenes of the state.

The centre knows that Anglo-Kuki war is a concocted incident scripted to alter the real history of Manipur, the Federation said and demanded the government for removal of Centenary Gates and Pillars which are based on false narrative.

FoH continued that the centre will not listen to the complaints lodged by Kuki community against their eviction from reserved forests and wildlife sanctuaries by Manipur government.

The Union government knows that the demand for separate state has been made to ensure that illegal activities including poppy cultivation and smuggling of drugs and other contraband items, continue to thrive and as such the demand will be rejected, it claimed.

FoH also emphasised that Kuki community should not have any objection to state government's announcement of Koubru, Thangjing and Kaonu hill ranges, which have deep connection and are cradle of the indigenes of Manipur, being earmarked under the Manipur Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1976 for preservation.

The Federation believes in harmonious co-habitation among various communities residing in the state, but it will stand against anyone trying to break the unity and integrity of the state, it affirmed.

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