UPF team meets MoS Home Rijiju, presses for early talks with Kuki UGs
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, August 12, 2014: Representatives of United People's Front (UPF) have apprised Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State for Home in New Delhi of the issues concerning UPF and the need to expedite the political peace process, besides submitting a memorandum for immediate appointment of an interlocutor.

The UPF team comprising UPF representatives and social leaders led by its convener Pu Aaron Kipgen has been camping in the national capital for the last one week.

Pu K.Guite, Pu L.B Sona, Pu David Haokip and Dr John Pulamte are also in the team.

Speaking over the phone, Pu Aaron Kipgen stated that the tripartite SoO Agreement between UPF/KNO (the two conglomerate groups of Kuki UGs) and Government of India and the state which was signed on 22nd August 2008 has witnessed only annual extensions.

With just ten days left for the expiry of the SoO Pact, Pu Aaron stated "extension of the SoO agreement in the name of peace without actually addressing the political aspiration of the Kukis would be a denial of their Constitutional rights and violation of the SoO pact".

He continued, 'UPF has submitted a series of memoranda and representations to the former Union Home Ministers, Chidambaram and Sushil Kumar Shinde for appointment of interlocutor.

UPF's Charter of Demands was also submitted to former PM Manmohan Singh on 22nd March 2012 in New Delhi.

However, appointment of interlocutor has been kept pending in the Prime Minister's Office for the last two years due to lack of decisive leadership.

This is a sign of negligence on the part of the Government of India, he alleged.

During the meeting, Minister of State (Home) Kiren Rijiju made his assurance to look into the matter and expedite the peace process in the interest of the people, conveyed Aaron Kipgen.

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