SoO oufits call off highway blockade
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 02 2023:
All volunteers in vulnerable areas will be withdrawn once deployment of Central forces is completed, said SoO Kuki outfits even as they announced the roll back of the blockade on National Highway-2 today.
In a statement, the United People' Front (UPF) and the Kuki National Organisation (KNO), the two umbrella bodies of Kuki outfits under Suspension of Operation (SoO), said the decision to lift the blockade was taken considering Union Home Minister's Amit Shah's deep concern to restore peace and harmony in the State.
Notwithstanding the anger and anguish of the Kuki people, keeping in view Union Home Minister Amit Shah's deep concern to restore peace and harmony in the State and alleviate the plight of people in general, UPF and KNO have decided to lift the blockade at Kangpokpi on NH-2 with immediate effect to ensure uninterrupted supply of essential commodities in the State, the statement read.
The decision was taken after wide ranging consultations with civil society organisations, village chiefs, youth and women leaders on several occasions, the SoO outfits said.
The Kuki organisations had earlier met the Union Home Minister and appealed him to provide security in the vulnerable villages in the foothill areas.
The Central forces have been deployed in most of these areas as assured and the process is in progress.
Once the deployment of Central Forces is completed in all vulnerable areas, "we will ensure that our volunteers are withdrawn from these areas to help restore peace and tranquillity," said the outfits.
Manipur has been witnessing ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kuki communities since May 3 .
The ongoing conflict has disturbed the traditional communal harmony in the State of Manipur.
The Kuki people have suffered immensely in continued "offensive" by miscreants and have urged the authorities to protect their lives and properties, said the UPF and KNO.
"It is expected that the authorities concerned will take every measure to maintain peace and ensure supply of essential commodities to the needy, particularly in the hill districts.
We also take this opportunity to appeal to all peace-loving organisations and citizens in the State of Manipur to reciprocate our gesture and take steps towards peace and communal harmony in the State," concluded the statement.
The violent conflict began on May 3 in Chura- chandpur after the "Tribal Solidarity March" organised by the All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM) .