Groups which violate groundrules will be removed from SoO pact : CM
'No info from Centre on status of SoO'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 25 2024: Chief Minister N Biren Singh has stated that Kuki militant groups which violate the ground rules of Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement should be removed from the pact.

Addressing the media at the CM's Secretariat yesterday, Biren said that the State Government hasn't received any direction from the Centre pertaining to the SoO pact.

He said that the State Government had already taken a resolution to abrogate the SoO agreement.

Saying that the SoO pact was signed to maintain peace and improve law and order in Manipur, he added that the pact, however, has been compromised by some militant groups which have disrupted peace and tranquillity in the State.

Groups which violate groundrules will be removed from SoO pact : CM

He further said that the State Government has been urging the Centre to remove Kuki militant groups which violate the conditions of the SoO agreement from the pact.

What the Central Government will do to SoO groups which violate the ground rules of the agreement is still not known, he said and maintained that the Central Government seems to be discussing the matter pertaining to SoO minutely.

About the recent visit of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi to Manipur, the Chief Minister said that COAS was in the State to review the situation along the border areas.

Stating that he has also discussed the situation in Manipur with the COAS, IGAR (South) etc apart from showing them the maps and records of the changes seen in some hill districts, Biren added that he also discussed the measure to restore normalcy in Manipur with the top brass.

To a media query, the Chief Minister said that the State Government understands the inconvenience being faced by commuters due to bad road conditions.

Saying that recent floods which the State witnessed badly affected many roads, Biren continued that the Government has procured the material to repair the roads.

The road maintenance could not be started due to the weather condition, Biren said and assured the road repair work will be carried out simultaneously by giving top priority on it once the rains stop.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister slammed the Congress party for allying with the National Conference (NC) ahead of three-phased Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls as he said that what the Congress aspires is power only and the party doesn't care whether India breaks apart or not.

He said that the Congress party seemingly working to compromise National unity from time to time is unfortunate.

Saying that Article 370 which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir was scrapped by the NDA Government to put it on the same footing as the rest of India, Biren claimed that instances of anti-National activities and terror attacks have reduced drastically in the Union Territory after Article 370 was abrogated.

Further stating that the Congress party has decided to ally with NC whose manifesto guarantees the restoration of Article 370 and 35A, the Chief Minister asked whether the Congress party supports the separatist movement in Kashmir.

Does Congress party support the National Conference decision to start cross border trade along Line of Control, he further asked.

Meanwhile, N Biren acknowledged the act of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in proposing to introduce Manipuri as an Associate Official Language in four districts of Assam.

He said that Assam Official Language Bill 2024 was tabled by Assam Minister Piyush Hajarika in Assam Legislative Assembly on August 22 .