PM invite likely for SoO groups
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

New Delhi, September 27 2014 : After the NSCN-IM received an invitation from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) for talks, the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the United Peoples Front (UPF) are most probably next in line to receive the same invitation.

Though the patience of the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United Peoples' Front (UPF) must have been pushed to the limit, the delay in holding the tripartite meeting to formalise the extension of Suspension of Operation (SoO) could also be a blessing in disguise for the two umbrella outfits.

This time the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and not the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is concertedly studying the files, if reports are to be based.

With speculations rife that the files pertaining to KNO and UPF are with the PMO, KNO leader Dr Seilen Haokip was contacted by Newmai News Network on the matter whether the outfit has been intimated on the reported development.

"I was informed from some quarters that the PMO is studying the matter minutely," said Dr Haokip.

"This development means scaling up to another level," said the spokesman of KNO.

Dr Haokip is of the view that the PMO taking part in the affairs would mean the Narendra Modi Government is taking the Kuki issue very seriously.

"The NDA Government under Mr Modi would mean business and if that is the case we are happy," stated the KNO leader, adding, "It shows the new Central Government does not want to dilly-dally the issue" .

However, attempts to contact Manipur Chief Secretary to authenticate the report by this news agency proved futile.

The Chief Secretary of Manipur is the chairman of the tripartite meeting for KNO and UPF.

Suspension of Operation with KNO and UPF expired on August 22 but even after more than a month no formal signing for the extension of SoO for another term has been effected.

The KNO, especially, has been irked by this development.

Both the KNO and UPF had expressed their lethargy of extending the SoO everytime it expires without starting 'political dialogues'.

The KNO and UPF had held a series of meetings with the civil society organisations in the early part of August and consulted whether to extend the SoO or not.

The KNO had even threatened not to sign for another SoO term saying, "There is no point doing so" .

However, after Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju had assured the commencement of 'political talks' with the KNO and UPF the two outfits had decided to rescind from their earlier stand and decided to sign for another term of SoO with the Government.

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