BJP, NEDA leaders offered us Territorial Council : ZRO
Source: The Sangai Express

CCpur, June 30 2022: The Zomi Re-unification Organisation (ZRO) which predates other tribal armed groups in arriving at an agreement with the Defence Ministry by 3 years before the actual signing of SoO, has today called on the people of the State to refrain from diluting the good intention of the Government to pave way for peace and equitable development.

'After several rounds of talks, the BJP and NEDA leaders offered the creation of an Autonomous Territorial Council based on Sixth Schedule with BTC model on February 19, 2017 .

The BJP Central leadership showed their sincerity in their promise and appointed an Interlocutor for SoO groups on July 27, 2017 .

BJP, NEDA leaders offered us Territorial Council : ZRO

Since then, tripartite political talks have continued smoothly under a healthy atmosphere,' said ZRO in a statement which was handed over the media in a briefing.

While the Government is sincerely working towards the peaceful conclusion of political talks with SoO groups in Manipur, the people should refrain from diluting their good intentions to usher in an era of vibrant administration in this strategically located border State of the country, it said.

The ZRO also claimed that the Chief Minister of Manipur himself had made it known his desire to conclude the talks with SoO groups at the earliest possible, adding, their talks are in no way a threat to the State's integrity as it is conducted within the parameters of SoO ground rules, and the Constitution of India.

A statement released by the Ketheos Zomi, secretary, MEA, ZRO today said, the ZRO entered into SoO with the Government of India in 2005 to address and resolve the political demands of the Zomi in Manipur State through peaceful political process.

Tripartite SoO involving Governments of India and Manipur were signed under the banner of UPF and KNO in 2008 .

'After several rounds of talks, the BJP and NEDA leaders offered the creation of an Autonomous Territorial Council based on Sixth Schedule with BTC model on February 19, 2017.The BJP Central leadership showed their sincerity in their promise and appointed an Interlocutor for SoO groups on July 27, 2017.Since then, tripartite political talks have continued smoothly under a healthy atmosphere,' said the statement.

'While the talk touches its final stage, unfortunately, a difference of opinion has emerged over the issue of naming the Territorial Council.

Due to which, the proposal was further thus refined as Southern Manipur Autonomous Territorial Council (SMATC) by UPF (Zomi) and HPC (D) after due consultation with the people, to accommodate every community, both tribal and non-tribal, who have been living together harmoniously in Southern Manipur State,' added the statement.

While the ZRO leadership is hopeful of a positive outcome from the talks, it also warned the public to stay alert and stick to their ground as it believes some disgruntled leaders are still hell-bent on derailing the on-going political talks.