Rijiju commited to expedite peace process: UPF
Source: The Sangai Express

New Delhi, August 12, 2014: United People's Front (UPF) representives led by its convenor Aaron Kipgen called on Minister of State for Home, Kiren Rijiju in New Delhi today.

The UPF representatives and social leaders have been camping in New Delhi for the last one week.

Aaron Kipgen stated that they have apprised the Minister many issues concerning UPF and the need to expedite the political peace process and submitted a memorandum for immediate appointment of interlocutor.

The UPF team included K Guite, LB Sona, David Haokip and Dr John Pulamte.

The tripartite SoO agreement between UPF/KNO (the two conglomerates of Kuki UG groups) and Government of India and the state which was signed on 22nd August 2008 has withnessed only year to year extension.

With just ten days left before the expiry of the SoO pact, Aaron stated "extension of the SoO agreement in the name of peace without actually addressing the political aspiration of the Kukis would be denial of their constitutional rights and violation of the SoO pact".

UPF has submitted series of memorandas and representations to the former Union Home Ministers, Chidambaram and Sushil Kumar Shinde for appointment of interlocutor.

UPF's charter of demand was also submitted to Manmohan Singh, the then Hon'ble Prime Minister of India on 22nd March 2012 in New Delhi.

However, appointment of interlocutor has been kept pending in the Prime Minister's Office for the last two years.

This is due to lack of decisive leadership and a sign of negligence on the part of the Government of India.

"However, it is with renewed hope and vigour that we approached the new Government in the centre, BJP led NDA Government today.

Hon'ble Minister of State (Home), Shri Kiren Rijiju has committed to look into the matter and expedite the peace process in the interest of the people as a whole.

UPF in particular and the hill people of Manipur in general would be closely watching the moves of the new Government with the hope to initiate the long awaited political dialogue as soon as possible", Aaron Kipgen said.

"We appreciate the Hon'ble Rajya Sabha MP of Assam, Shri Bishwajit Daimary for bringing to the notice of the Members of Parliament in Rajya Sabha about the issues confronting North East", he added.

He has rightly stated that the delay in starting political dialogue with the insurgent groups of NE under Soo agreement with the government and resolving their issues after the agreement was signed several years back have resulted in the formation of new factions among them which has again increased extortion and kidnappings.

Aaron Kipgen also thanked Minister of Home Affairs Rajnath Singh for declaring in the House that the new Government would start political dialogue with the SoO groups of the North East while answering a query.

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