Ibobi clears air on SoO agreement
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 28 2023: A day ahead of the Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's arrival here on Thursday on a two-day visit to take stock of the situation in the state, former chief minister O Ibobi claimed that the SoO agreement was signed with an understanding the militant groups would not indulge or involve in any activities detrimental to interest of Manipur and its people.

Reacting to allegations levelled against the Congress with regard to the then government signing the SoO agreement and published in the local media, Ibobi said that SoO agreement was initiated during Congress rules after studying the merit and demerits.

The then Congress government initiated the peace process with inputs from intelligence agencies and there are certain ground rules for the agreement, which he would take another time to explain, he said.

He, however, said that Congress party believes in the Constitution of India and the SoO agreement was signed after an assurance from the militant groups not to disturb the territorial integrity of the state.

Numbers of cadres, arms and ammunition were recorded and stored in the lockers, for which one key should be with the groups concerned and the other with the government.

There are certain ground rules and it was agreed that appropriate actions will be initiated upon violation of the ground rules, he added.

Speaking to newspersons at Congress Bhawan here on Wednesday, Ibobi lamented that the state has been witnessing unprecedented devastation due to the ethnic violence since May 3.Union home minister Amit Shah visited the state almost after one month since the violence started and stayed for three nights.

People of the state had high hope of the union home minister's visit in controlling the violence aftd restoring peace.

However, his visit has had no impact and violence only escalated.

Keeping in view of the volatile situation in the state, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will visit the state for two days and meet the riot-affected people in Churachandpur, Moirang, Khuman Lampak and Akampat on Thursday.

On the next day, he will meet intellectuals, CSO leaders, prominent personalities, Meira Paibi leaders, representatives of women vendors and student leaders at Imphal Hofei to discuss way forward to restore peace in the state.

He will also meet leaders of tribal student bodies, CSOs and community leaders, Ibobi said while urging the public to cooperate with the initiative of Congress party and help in restoring peace.

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