40 MLAs petitions PM against SoO, SA
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 09 2023: Amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the state, 40 MLAs excluding five from Congress and two Naga MLAs - one each from NPP and NPF, submitted a joint representation to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi opposing separate administration demand raised by 10 Kuki MLAs, and demanding total disarmament of all stakeholders, withdrawal of Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement, NRC implementation, strengthening ADC on Wednesday.

The representation sought complete disarmament of all groups involved in the present crisis in order to halt all forms of violence, which is taking place in the peripheral areas.

The entire state requires a complete disarmament to foster an environment of peace and security.

Confiscation of all weapons belonging to insurgent groups, illegal armed foreign forces and those who snatched arms from the state machinery needs to be carried out.

in this regard, the central security forces need to adopt a more proactive approach to ensure lasting peace in the region, it stated.

It stated that there have been numerous instances of farmers working in their fields getting fired upon by militants.

The weapons that are being used by militants in these incidents are sophisticated military grade arms which include assault, sniper rifles and Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs) .

In many cases, these firing incidents have occurred in the presence of central security forces, which have failed to react appropriately, or react at all.

This has led to a loss of faith in these forces and the buildup of public resentment.

Regarding deployment of forces, the Assam Rifles (9, 22 and 37 battalion) need to be transferred from their present location of deployment while trustworthy central forces along with state security can replace them to sanitise and neutralise the whole area of all threats to peace, security and stability.

The MLAs also demanded withdrawal of the Suspension of Operations (SOO) Agreement with all the militant groups, who have violated the ground rules at the earliest in order to remove any disadvantages for the central Forces with regard to the rules of engagement with these threats.

There has been large scale foreign infiltration with arms and ammunition into the state, the representation said while suggesting the central forces to proactively engage with them.

There has been a nonstop conflict between the state/central forces and the insurgent armed groups in the state for the last three months.

The source and funding of these sophisticated arms and ammunition needs to be investigated, keeping in view of how the conflict has lasted for the past three months, and the arms continue to arrive into the state.

The representation also sought to address the issues politically in order to resolve this crisis while recommending implementation of NRC and strengthening the process for biometric registrations of immigrants.

It also raised strong objection against the demand for separate administration raised by ITLF and Kuki people, while terming it as the most crucial point of this whole crisis, which is absolutely unacceptable under any circumstances.

It further recommended strengthening the Autonomous District Council (ADC), and conduct of regular elections (which have not been taking place) to the Hill Area Committee (HAC) and the six existing Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) in order to reassure all communities.

The 40 MLAs further suggested initiating peace talks after fulfilling the points mentioned in the representation, and deliver a lasting solution to the ongoing crisis.

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