Halt extortion for seamless political dialogue: KNO to SoO outfits
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 02 2024: In what could be confirmation of Kuki armed outfits bound by the Suspension of Operation agreement signed with the government members indulging in anti-social activities in violation of the ground rules, the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) has directed its cadres and constituent organisations to strictly adhere to the ground rules of SoO and abstain from extortion activities.

This directive comes as the organisation anticipates resumption of the tripartite peace talks after formation of a new government at the Centre post June 4 .

In a circular issued by KNO president PS Haokip, the organisation emphasised the importance of compliance with the SoO ground rules to avoid giving the state government any reason to undermine the ongoing political dialogue.

The SoO groups are engaged in political negotiations with the Government of India, seeking a constitutional settlement under Article 239A for Union Territories.

PS Haokip highlighted that the formation of a new central government and the subsequent resumption of peace talks present a critical opportunity for the KNO's political objectives.

He stressed that maintaining discipline and avoiding any form of monetary demands (extortions) or activities that could be used against their political demands is crucial.

"It is pertinent that SoO groups remain compliant with ground rules and not give the state government any excuse to jeopardise the ongoing dialogue for our political settlement.

Your sincere cooperation in respecting the ground rules is critical for our political future, " stated Haokip.

The tripartite pact was signed in 2008 by the United Peoples' Front (UPF) and the Kuki National Organisation (KNO), an umbrella of 24 insurgent groups, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Manipur government.

It has been extended periodically since 2008.The truce came after an unofficial agreement with some Kuki militant groups and Assam Rifles in 2005.The extension of the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement hangs in suspense amid recent developments following the ethnic conflict that broke out in the state on May 3 last year, in which active participation of SoO groups are alleged, including evidences of fully-armed cadres of the peace talk signatories seen mingling with the so-called village volunteers and attacking Meetei villages near the foothills.

The Manipur government has retracted from the tripartite agreement with two Kuki militant groups - the Kuki National Army (KNA) and the Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA) - citing their involvement in instigating unrest and other unlawful activities.

This decision was primarily driven by the militants' violations of the agreed terms, including engaging in extortion, disrupting infrastructure projects, and being involved in poppy cultivation and other illegal enterprises.

The Manipur Legislative Assembly recently passed a unanimous resolution urging the Central government to abrogate the SoO agreement with all Kuki-Zo militant groups.

This decision came after intense discussions about the ongoing violence and lawlessness attributed to these groups, which are considered to have significantly contributed to the ethnic conflict between the Meetei and Kuki communities.

Members from both ruling and opposition parties acknowledged the militants' role in exacerbating the conflict, highlighting their attacks on civilians, use of sophisticated weaponry, and overall disregard for the agreement's ground rules.

Chief Minister N Biren has ques-tioned the rationale behind the initial 2008 agreement with Kuki insurgent groups, arguing that these groups posed no significant threat to state or Central forces at that time.

He emphasised that the current government is determined to address the violations committed by these militants and has already initiated steps to withdraw from the SoO agreement.

The final decision on the abrogation, however, rests with the central government.

On February 29 this year, the Ministry of Home Affairs convened a meeting at North Block with the representatives of SoO groups and Manipur government.

However, the state government did not send any representatives, and as a result, the SoO pact could not be extended on papers.

As of now status quo exists.

Assam Rifles designated as the monitoring agency for the Kuki-Zo insurgent groups is yet to receive an order promulgating the pact, according to an earlier report by The Hindu.

The tension around the SoO agreement is further compounded by the broader context of the ethnic conflict in Manipur, which has seen over 200 fatalities and widespread displacement since May last year.

The state's efforts to manage the situation are ongoing, with appeals for public cooperation and initiatives aimed at restoring peace and stability.

The Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and its armed wing, the Kuki National Army (KNA), were established in 1988.The initial cadre, led by Thangkholun Haokip, received training from the Kachin Independent Army (KIA) in Myanmar.

The primary objective of the KNA is to unify all Kuki-in-habited regions, specifically in the Kabaw Valley of Myanmar, the hill districts of Manipur, and parts of Bangladesh into a single administrative entity known as 'Zalengam' (Land of Freedom) .

The KNO/KNA operates mainly in the hill districts of Manipur and adjacent areas in Assam, with a marginal presence in Myanmar's northwest Kabaw Valley.

To finance its activities, the KNA heavily relies on extortion.

These extortion activities include demanding money from businesses, government officials, and civilians, significantly disrupting local economies and infrastructure projects.

Additionally, the KNA has been reportedly involved in various unlawful activities, such as kidnapping and abduction, to exert pressure and secure ransom.

These actions have exacerbated tensions and contributed to the ongoing ethnic conflict in the region.

On September 22, 2005, the then Union Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee announced in Imphal that at least eight militant groups in Manipur, including the KNA, had declared informal ceasefires with the Indian government.

Despite this, the KNA's continued involvement in illegal activities remains a significant challenge to peace and development in the state.

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