Call to cancel SoO pact grows louder
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 29 2023: The demand for immediate abrogation of the Suspension of Operation (SoO) with Kuki militant groups is ever growing with more and more people coming out in support of the demand.

People of Malom Awang today staged a sit-in protest at Ipudhou Pakhangba Shanglen demanding withdrawal of the SoO pact and protection of State's integrity.

A release issued by Malom No 1 Students' Club informed that during the sit-in, the protesters displayed placards and banners with the slogans such as, "Cancel SoO with Kuki militant groups", "We condemn act of terrorism carried out by Kuki militants", "Deploy State Forces instead of Indian Army and Paramilitary Force", "Implement NRC in Manipur", "Include Meitei/Meetei in ST list", "No separate administration in Manipur", etc.

The protestors also took two resolutions- firstly to provide all possible assistance to the people who have been displaced by the ongoing conflict and taking shelter at relief camps; and secondly to submit a memorandum to the local MLA at the earliest.

Call to cancel SoO pact grows louder

Later, the participants formed a human chain and observed one minute silence to pray for those who lost their lives in the conflict.

Raising similar demands, Soibam Leikai Ayangpalli Youth's Club (SAYC) and Ayangpalli Progressive Women Organisation (APWO) also jointly staged a sit-in protest at SAYC Club Ground.

Besides, Malom Apunba Development Organisation, Malom also took out a human chain protest today at Malom Bazar demanding immediate abrogation of SoO with Kuki militants and restoration of peace & normalcy in Manipur.

All Assam Manipuri Student Union (AAMSU), All Assam Manipuri (Meetei) Artiste Association (AAMAA) and Yelhoumee Yaifa Chaokhat Lup Hojai Branch jointly took out a peace rally from Manipur Shahitya Bhaban Hojai to Hojao Bazar, Assam.

In a release, Yelhoumee Yaifa Chaokhat Lup urged the Central and State Governments to make immediate action to restore peace & normalcy in Manipur.

The Lup shared that despite tall claims by the Government of India to fight against terrorism, the Government has failed to protect innocent Meetei civilians from the atrocities of armed Kuki militants coming from Myanmar.

"Killing of innocent civilians and burning of houses belonging to the Meetei community by Kuki militants armed with sophisticated weapons is an act of terrorism committed on Indian soil by terrorists coming from a foreign country", it added.

Wakhallon Mannaba Apunba (WAMA) Kangleipak has asserted that there will be no long lasting peace in Manipur until the Government cancels the SoO pact with armed Kuki militant groups and brings them under control.

In a release, WAMA Kangleipak also urged the Government to protect innocent civilians from armed militants and take necessary measures to restore peace & normalcy in Manipur.