MHS opposes move to renew SoO pact
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 08 2025: Meitei Heritage Society (MHS) has voiced strong opposition to recent reports indicating that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is considering signing a new Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement with Chin-Kuki militant groups.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Society expressed deep concern that such a move would go against the decision of the last elected Manipur government, defy the will of the public, and undermine ongoing investigations into the alleged involvement of these groups in the continuing violence in the state, including attacks on security forces.

The Society said that it was "deeply disturbed" by the developments and media reports, calling the possible agreement a "capitulation" to militant groups and warning that it would "legitimise the illegal activities carried out by these groups".

Particularly alarming to the group is the reported condition that the agreement would be signed if the Chin-Kuki militant group agrees to closure of two designated SoO camps belonging to the Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA), which is part of the United People s Front (UPF).

The Society noted that the three ZRA camps - Camp Mu-vanlai, Mt Sinai, and Phaiba -are already located in remote areas and argued that closing two of them "does not have any material difference in controlling the law or order issues" .

Citing SoO's own guiding principles, the Meitei Heritage Society said that any militant group found violating the terms of the agreement should be subject to action, including the use of force.

"Far from taking action, rewarding these militants with renewed protection or relocation of camps by paying them through tax-payers' money, will be legitimising the illegal activities carried out by these groups," the statement said.

The Society recalled that in March 2023, the last popularly elected Manipur government decided to abrogate the SoO agreement with Kuki National Army (KNA) and ZRA due to repeated violations of ground rules.

A cabinet resolution in January 2024 further affirmed the decision not to extend SoO agreements.

According to the statement, no renewal was signed thereafter and the agreement officially stood terminated on February 28, 2024 .

The group argued that any move to re-enter an agreement under President's Rule would "bypass the decision of the popular government and snub demand of the public across communities, yearning for peace from the over two-year old violence" .

It described the condition to close two camps as "nothing but an eyewash" to justify SoO renewal "in total disregard of the will of the people and SoO's own guiding principles".

The Meitei Heritage Society has urged the Government of India to honour the decision taken by the elected government, respect the demand of the people, consider the Cabinet resolution, and acknowledge the repeated violations of SoO rules before entering into any agreement with the Chin-Kuki militant groups.

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