What is your stand on SoO: MMTU to MLAs
Abrogation of SoO in Assembly recalled
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 06 2025: The Meetei (Meitei) Tribe Union has asserted that there is no purpose in having a popular Government in Manipur, as the State's elected representatives have failed to speak out against the Centre's actions that undermine the country's federal structure.

Speaking to the media at Manipur Press Club, MMTU convenor Haobijam Surjit Meetei stated that the Central Government has disregarded the State Assembly's resolutions to terminate the controversial Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement and to remove the Any Kuki Tribe from the Scheduled Tribe list of the Constitution, thereby weakening the State's legislative authority.

He said that the people of Manipur don't expect anything from the legislators, even if they form a Government, as they remain silent while the Central Government acts according to its own will.

What is your stand on SoO: MMTU to MLAs

Claiming that the Central Government's extension of the SoO agreement clearly demonstrates its support for the Kukis who seek to fragment Manipur, he stated that some politicians commending the extension of the pact just to get on the good side of their Central leadership is embarrassing.

He also stated that even the Supreme Court cannot interfere with a resolution passed by a State Assembly as per Article 122 .

In February 2024, the State Assembly adopted a resolution to urge the Centre to abrogate the SoO pact due to violations of its ground rules, and to remove any Kuki tribe from the ST list in 2018 and 2023, citing the inclusion of illegal immigrants from Myanmar, Surjit said and added that both the resolutions, however, have been rejected by the Centre.

He stated that a representative of the Any Kuki Tribe D Ngamlal was a signatory to the extension of the SoO pact.

The agreement signed by the Kuki militant groups, pledging to respect Manipur's territorial integrity, refrain from violence, and allow free movement on National Highways is a lie, the MMTU leader added.

He also claimed that illegal immigrants from Myanmar and Bangladesh are being used for vote-bank politics instead of deporting them.

The elected representatives have shunned their responsibilities and are engaging in power politics and pursuing personal gain during this crucial time, Surjit charged.

Stating that these MLAs are out of touch with the Meetei community's concerns and fears, he questioned why they are unwilling to send the recommendation for enlisting Meeteis in the ST list, despite the serious threats the community is facing.

He said that other North East States like Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim are actively working to enlist their smaller tribes to the ST list, in addition to many tribes that have already obtained the status.

However, in Manipur, the elected representatives seem to oppose the Meetei demand for ST status, making inconsistent statements on the issue.