Kakching rallies against SoO pact continuation
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 27 2023: Thousands walked at Kakching to protect the State's integrity and submitted a memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister via the district's Deputy Commissioner today.

Organised under the banner of the District Level Committee for Rejuvenating Coexistence, Kakching, the peace rally started from two separate locations and converged at Basic Ground, near Kakching police station and office of the Deputy Commissioner.

While one group started from Kakching Sumak Leikai Model Ground, the other started from Keirak side.

The people, during the rally, held placards and raised slogans demanding peace and urging the Centre and the State Government to scrap the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement signed with Kuki militants.

Kakching rallies against SoO pact continuation

After converging and meeting at the Basic Ground, 10 members of the District Level Committee for Rejuvenating Co-existence, Kakching met the Deputy Commissioner and submitted a memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister.

Even though some youths tried to storm the office of the DC, they were quickly pacified by the members of the committee.

After the 10 committee members came out of the office of the Deputy Commissioner, the people held a meeting at the Basic Ground.

Speaking to reporters, committee member, Pukhrambam Somarendro said the rally was organised to state the stand of the people of Kakching and appeal to the Centre and the State Government to bring normalcy and peace in the State.

Mentioning many incidents of violence happening in sensitive areas, he said peace may never come as long as there is a Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement.

The agreement, the Government signed with the Kuki militants, must be scrapped at the earliest, he said.

Somarendro continued that the State urgently needs to check the influx of illegal immigrants.

National Register of Citizens (NRC) should be implemented and all illegal immigrants should be detected, identified and deported.

Further, the cause of the May 3 violence and responsible groups should be investigated and identified.

Strict actions should be taken against responsible groups/individuals, he added.

Appealing to the Government and all concerned to provide all basic needs and proper care to displaced people staying at relief camps across the State, he stressed that efforts should be taken up to provide them proper settlement and enable them to return to their homes safely.