AMBA for revocation of SoO pact, FIR on NH blockade
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, June 06 2023:
While pointing out that Kuki militants attacking civilians and torching their hous-es are vivid evidence of violation of ground rules by Kuki armed groups which signed the sus-pension of operation ((SoO) agreement with the governments of India and Manipur, All Manipur Bar Association (AMBA) has demanded revocation of the SoO pact as announced by Home Minister Amit Shah that strictest action would be taken if Kuki militants break the ground rules.
Speaking to media per-sons at its Cheirap Court Complex office, AMBA president Tomcha Meetei stressed the need for rein-ing in Kuki militants using all available resources.
As per the So0 rules, the signatory outfits shall have to uphold constitution of India and protect territo-rial integrity of Manipur, not to carry out armed attack, violence and de-struction of public proper-ties or fresh recruitment and form new groups, the president elaborated.
He then pointed out that the same agreement not incorporating guidelines with regard to specifying nationality of members of the So0 outfits is a big loophole.
As nationality is not mentioned, Burmese militants may exploit the lacunae and join the ranks and file of the SoO groups, Tomcha said while also mentioning that complaint reports may be filed before the joint monitoring group of SoO in case the Assam Rifles does not extend cooperation to the civil police in enforcing the So0 ground rules.
He further said that blocking of the National Highway is an offence liable to serve jail time for five years.
FIR should be registered and the highways cleared by all means as they are the lifelines of the state, the president maintained and suggested registration of an FIR by the stakeholders concerned against those blocking the highways un-der the National Highway Act.