CSOs demand free movement, resettlement of IDPs, SoO scrap
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 30 2025: A joint delegation of civil society organisations (CSOs) from the state held an extensive meeting with senior officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in New Delhi on Monday to discuss the ongoing Manipur crisis.

The 19-member delegation of collective CSOs - represented three prominent organisations namely AMUCO, COCOMI and FOCS - met with key MHA officials, including advisor (NE) AK Mishra, and joint director of Intelligence Bureau Rajesh Kamble, along with other senior ministry officials.

According to a joint statement issued by the organisations, the closed-door meeting began at 11:30 am and lasted for over three and half hours.

CSOs demand free movement, resettlement of IDPs, SoO scrap

During the discussions, the delegation raised a series of urgent concerns and outlined what they described as a "phased and time-bound roadmap" to resolve the crisis and restore peace and stability in Manipur.

The delegation expressed their unequivocal stance on the preservation of the territorial integrity of Manipur, stressing that any initiative perceived to undermine this principle would not be accepted under any circumstance.

"This principle remains sacrosanct to every Manipuri," the delegation conveyed during the meeting.

They also highlighted the urgent need to ensure free movement for all citizens, calling it both a constitutional obligation of the government and an essential first step towards peace.

They pressed for immediate measures to restore unrestricted mobility across all regions of the state, pointing out that the same would help rebuild public trust and ease tensions among displaced communities.

One of the major issues discussed was the phased and time-bound resettlement of internally displaced persons (IDPs).

The delegation proposed that resettlement to original places of habitation be completed within this calendar year through a structured and phased process.

The necessity of restoring normalcy through the safe and dignified return of displaced populations was framed as a core component of any long-term peace-building effort.

Raising broader demographic concerns, the CSOs reiterated the need for implementing the National Register of Citizens (NRC) or a similar mechanism to effectively address the issue of illegal immigration.

They also conveyed a strong position against the extension of Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreements without a comprehensive and amicable understanding involving all stakeholders within the state.

In the meeting, the CSOs reiterated their rejection of the legitimacy of militant outfits under the Suspension of Operation (SoO) and engaging with the innocent Chin-Kuki-Mizo-Zomi-Hmar civilians who are the genuine citizens of the state shall be handled accordingly after sorting out the anti-peace elements.

United Peoples' Front (UPF) and Kuki National Organisation (KNO), which are conglomerates of 23 underground outfits, signed the SoO agreement with the Central government on August 22, 2008, and then there are 2,266 Kuki cadres who have been staying in different designated camps in Manipur.

Congress was in power in Manipur when the SoO was signed.

The delegation further urged the MHA officials to conduct future rounds of dialogue in Imphal, expressing willingness to participate in meetings with all stakeholders, but only if such initiatives served the broader objective of restoring lasting peace and normalcy in Manipur.

Apart from the primary concerns, several supplementary issues were also raised with the delegation calling for immediate action on the long-pending enquiry report on the Gwaltabi incident and submitting a memorandum regarding the security and safety of farmers in the state.

At the same time, they discussed concerns surrounding a recent MHA directive to detect illegal immigrants within 30 days, emphasising the need for proper mechanisms and safeguards to ensure the process does not lead to further unrest or human rights violations.

The delegation also submitted a detailed report on the alleged construction of a 343-kilometre illegal road along the Churachandpur-Kangpokpi axis.

They sought immediate investigation and intervention on the matter, citing serious implications for both internal security and land rights in the state's tribal and hill areas.

According to the statement, the MHA officials assured the delegation that all issues raised during the meeting were being taken note of seriously and would be forwarded to the authorities concerned for necessary actions and approvals.

"While no concrete resolutions were announced immediately, follow-up developments are expected in the coming days," the CSOs exuded.

The delegation plans to return to Imphal on July 2, and subsequently hold a public and media briefing to share the outcomes of the meeting and future steps.

Monday's engagement is seen as a renewed initiative to bridge differences through dialogue.

It follows months of memoranda, protests, and appeals submitted by the civil society groups.

Sources said that the MHA is also scheduled to hold a separate dialogue with Kuki armed groups under the SoO agreement on July 4 .

The MHA officials earlier also held discussions separately with the Meetei CSOs and various organisations of the Kuki Zo-Hmar tribal organisations.