Shiv Sena pitches for ending SoO pact
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, February 08 2024:
While welcoming the statement of Union home minister Amit Shah regarding fencing of the entire 1643-kilometre long Indo-Myanmar border, Shiv Sena Manipur Pradesh has appealed to the union minister not to further extend the suspension of operation (SoO) agreement signed between armed Kuki outfits, and state and central governments which is due to expire on February 29.A team of Shiv Sena led by state president M Tombi visited Delhi and reportedly submitted a five-point memorandum addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Union minister of tribal affairs Arjun Munda, Shiv Sena MP Rahul Shewale and BJP president JP Nadda.
The demands include fencing the Manipur sector of Indo-Myanmar border, setting up of Highway Protection Force for specific deployment along NH-37 and NH-102, abrogation of the SoO agreement, amendment to MLR&LR Act 1960 and providing compensation to the crisis affected victims/families and facilitate return to their respective homes.
Addressing media persons at its Babupara office, here, on Thursday, president M Tombi said that large tract Manipur's land has been lost as successive governments undermined the importance of fencing the In-do-Myanmar border.
While hailing decision of the BJP government at the centre to fence the porous Indo-Myanmar border, he also urged the central government to chalk up effective measures for ending to humanitarian crisis gripping Manipur without any bias towards any community.
Tombi also expressed disappointment that certain communities are raising objection against the centre's move to secure the border while pointing out that cross-border movement of people may continue with adherence to standard norms.
However, expressing remorse that PM Narendra Modi is yet to comment on the present crisis in the state and not including Manipur in the itinerary during his recent visit to Assam, Tombi described as surprising that PM Modi did not include the names of Kuki armed outfits when he referred to armed groups.
Despite the fact that Kuki militants have been indulging in extortion of money from truck drivers and thrashing beating them in addition to their armed aggression in the current crisis, the Kuki UG groups have been left out of the list of unlawful organisations mentioned by PM Modi, he lamented.
While reiterating the demand not to extend the SoO agreement with the Kuki militants, he cautioned said pro longing the SoO will compel the public to conclude that the central government does not want to end crisis in Manipur.