Abrogate SoO call rings out loud
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 18 2024:
A large number of traders of Khwairamband Ima Keithel staged a protest demanding to withdrawal of Central forces from Manipur and abrogate Suspension of Operation (SoO) pact with Kuki militants.
They also demanded the resignation of the Chairman of Unified Command Kuldiep Singh.
The protest demonstration was carried out against the regular attacks on State forces and Meitei civilians at Moreh, Koutruk, Kadangband and Sinam Kom areas among others by the Kuki militants and the inability of the Central forces to prevent the attacks.
The women traders started assembling at Khwairamband Keithel at around 10.30 am today and later took out a procession along the BT Road.
The protesters, however, were prevented from advancing further by personnel of Rapid Action Force (RAF) and Manipur police near the Treasury Office.
After a brief interaction, the police allowed some of the protesters to meet Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh at Chief Minister's Bungalow.
The womenfolk held a meeting with the Security Advisor for over 90 minutes.
Briefing the media after the meeting, one of the women, Asem Nirmala said that they have conveyed the obstruction being caused by the Assam Rifles to the State forces in discharging their duty to the Security Advisor.
She continued that they have also proposed handing over the charge of the Unified Command to Chief Minister N Biren and to convene another meeting in the presence of the Chief Minister to the Security Advisor.
As per the response of the Security Advisor, he is not in the position to demand the presence of the Chief Minister in a meeting, Nirmala said and continued that Kuldiep Singh nonetheless agreed to convey the message to the Chief Minister.
"The Security Advisor also told us that due process has been taken up to withdraw Assam Rifles from certain places and to increase the presence of State forces at the areas where Kuki militants regularly attack State forces and Meiteis including at Moreh," she informed.
Nirmala said that they will launch an intense agitation of all women traders in the valley districts if the Kuki militants attack State forces and Meitei civilians again despite the assurance given by the Security Advisor.