Arrest of KNF-P quartet confirms violation of SoO rules
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, March 02 2025: Allegations of Kuki militant groups violating the ground rules of the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement have persisted for years, with reports of illegal tax collection on highways frequently surfacing, with some even sharing receipts of such illegal tax.

The recent arrest of four cadres of the Kuki National Front-President (KNF-P) has once again brought to light these violations.

Kangpokpi district police, in coordination with the CRPF, apprehended four KNF-P cadres involved in extortion activities along the National Highway-2.The arrested individuals have been identified as Lungousem Kipgen (29), Letminlal Kipgen (25), Satminlun Tuboi (24), and Thanggoulun Kilong (27) .

Initially, reports suggested they were arrested in connection with a firing incident that disrupted religious rituals at Kongba Maru Laiphamlen under Sagolmang police station.

However, a clarification from the police control room confirmed that their arrest was related to extortion activities.

Their arrest raises serious concerns about fresh recruitment by the militant group, which directly violates the ground rules of the SoO agreement.

The tripartite agreement, first formally signed on August 22, 2008, after an informal arrangement between the Kuki militants and the Assam Rifles in 2005 to cease hostility, explicitly prohibits recruitment, extortion, and any illegal activities.

It also mandates that the cadres remain in designated peace camps, keep their weapons under a double-locking system, and receive a monthly stipend of Rs 5,000, among other provisions.

The ground rules also mention assurance to uphold the Constitution of India and territorial integrity of Manipur by the militant groups.

However, given the ages of the arrested cadres - ranging from 24 to 29 years - it is evident that fresh recruitment has taken place.

If these individuals had been part of the group at the time of the agreement's formal signing in 2008, which was 17 years ago, then they would have been only 7 to 12 years old, raising two troubling possibilities: either the KNF-P recruited child soldiers before the agreement, or it has continued to induct new members in recent years in direct violation of the pact.

Additionally, their involvement in extortion further confirms a blatant breach of the agreement.

Their arrest raises serious questions about the effectiveness and accountability of the Joint Monitoring Group (JMG), which is tasked with overseeing the compliance of militant groups under the SoO arrangement.

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