Don't extend SoO pact: COCOMI
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 16 2023:
Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has urged the Government not to extend the term (period) of the tripartite agreement of Suspension of Operation (SoO) after it ends tomorrow.
At the office of COCOMI at Wangkhei Boys Junior High School campus, its coordinator Jitendra Ningomba said the term of the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement signed between the Government of India, Government of Manipur and Kuki militant groups will expire tomorrow.
While stating that the term (period) is extended from time to time, Jitendra said the Government should not extend the period of the agreement further and completely withdraw from it as a sharp and clear response to the atrocities and violence that are being committed against civilians by the armed Kuki militants.
Jitendra said the Kuki militants, part of the SoO pact, are treaking ground rules of the agreement and prolonging the conflict by attacking valley civilians and their villages near the hills.
He said some armed Kuki groups other than the SoO militants are also involved in the conflict.
India Government and the State Government should monitor and identify them for taking strong action against them, he added.
People of all communities, at present, are facing shortage of essential commodities amid the crisis and due to blockade imposed along Imphal-Dimapur road.
The State Government should take up immediate actions to end the blockade and give free and secure passage to all vehicles on the Highway, he said.
Speaking to the media, COCOMI's media coordinator, Somarendro reiterated that the State Government must not extend the period of the tripartite SoO agreement and not give safe haven to Kuki militants who are attacking civilians breaking ground rules.
He reminded the State Government of a media briefing given by the Security Advisor to State Government Kuldiep Singh where he had said that while checking and inspecting the designated camps of the Kuki militant groups, arms and ammunition and SoO cadres were found missing.
Somarendro reiterated that the Kuki militants, under SoO, are still attacking civilians and security forces and burning villages near foothills.
The SoO agreement should not be extended further, he added, appealing to the State Government.