Reception held for SoO groups
Source: The Sangai Express
CCpur, December 06 2016:
A formal reception programme for the armed groups which are under SoO and had just concluded their second round of tripartite talk with the State and Central Governments was held at Simte Inn here with the leaders of the outfits calling for support from the general public.
Hosted by Kuki Inpi Manipur, Zomi Council, Hmar Inpui and Mizo Peoples' Convention Manipur, the event not only witnessed a healthy representation from the UPF and the KNO but also attracted a huge audience comprising of tribe leaders and delegates from the CSOs.
Addressing the gathering, KNO's PS Haokip reiterated the stand adopted by both the armed groups in September 2015 and claimed that demanding a separate State was the shared objective put forward by the two armed conglomerates.
UPF Chairman Th Seiminthang while recalling the armed movement that has brought them to the negotiating table after thirty years expressed the need for shared objective to take the movement further.
He also questioned the rationale behind the UNC's opposition to the creation of Sadar Hills district despite championing tribal unity.
On the contentious issue of burying the nine 'tribal martyrs' he argued that the time has come for one and all to confide to the armed groups who have fought for the people for decades with sweat and blood.
UPF spokesperson Aron Kipgen and several tribe leaders and public figures from the society also addressed the gathering.