COCOMI urges PM to end SoO, calls sit-in today
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 27 2024: While informing that the term of SoO pact signed with Chin-Kuki narco-terrorist groups will end on February 28, Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging the centre not to hastily extend the SoO agreement with Chin-Kuki narco-terrorist groups without thorough Scrutiny and reassessment.

COCOMI spokesperson Khuraijam Athouba went to Delhi and submitted the memorandum appe nded by its coordinator Somorendro Thokchom addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The memorandum pointed out that despite periodical extension since 2008 under the guise of political dialogue, there has been no notable progress in the peace process other than flagrant violations of the SoO ground rules, exacerbating the already volatile situation in Manipur, it continued.

While highlighting cases and testimonies of violations of SoO ground rules, it said that continued engagement with and legitimisation of armed Chin-Kuki narco-terrorist groups by the Government of India not only violates the fundamental rights of indigenous Meetei citizens but also risks legitimising their presence in Manipur.

It further added that th e decision by state government to withdraw from the SoO agreement and declare Chin-Kuki armed groups as terrorists on March 10, 2023, underscored gravity of the situation and warrants careful consideration.

Moreover, the recent escalations of violence in Manipur are ample evidences of direct involvement of Kuki militant groups in targeted attacks against Indian army and state police personnel.

This reality underscores the urgent need for caution and re-evaluation of any decisions regarding extension of the SoO agreement, the memorandum asserted, while demanding immediate and decisive action to address SoO ground rule violations and illegal activities perpetrated by these groups.

While demanding to prioritise the safety and security of the indigenous people of Manipur above all other considerations in any decision-making process, the memorandum continued that failure to heed the caution risks further destabilising Manipur and compromising the safety and security of its citizens.

"COCOMI remains committed to working towards a sustainable peace process in Manipur and is prepared to engage constructively with all stakeholders to achieve this goal", the memorandum added.

Meanwhile, demanding that the state assembly session commencing from Wednesday should take a resolution not to extend the SoO agreement with Kuki militant groups, COCOMI appealed to the people to stage sit-in protest from 11am to 12 noon on Wednesday and take out torch rallies in the evening.

Urging the people to take part in the protest on Wednesday, COCOMI co-ordinator Thokchom Somorendro told media persons at Manipur Press Club, Tuesday that the war waged by Kuki narco-terrorist is nearing completion of 10 months but both state and central governments are yet to take up any concrete action to stop the conflict: The term of the SoO agreement with Kuki militants expires oil February 28 and accordingly the state assembly session should take a decision not to extend the SoO agreement, Somorendro said.

Regarding the protest on Wednesday, he appealed to women vendors of all the markets in the state to stage protest from 11 am till 12 noon.

He also appealed people of all localities and villages to organise torch rally from 7 pm and shout slogans against SoO extension.

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