IPAK demands abrogation of SoO pact
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 28 2023: The Indigenous People's Association of Kangleipak (IPAK) has urged State and Central Government to immediately abrogate the Suspension of Operation (SoO) with Kuki militants.

The present ethnic clash is a result of vote bank politics by some political leaders, truce with Kuki militants who worked closely with village chiefs and top brass of Central paramilitary forces to cultivate poppy on mass scale by carrying out widespread deforestation, said IPAK in a statement.

Government's action against poppy, anti drug drives, tough acts on drug cartels, implementation of ILP and growing demand for implementation of NRC in the State also contributed to the present situation, said IPAK.

IPAK also alleged that paramilitary forces are reluctant to prevent Kuki militants from attacking innocent civilians dwelling in the foothills because they work hands in glove with drug dealers.

Ridiculing the 10 MLAs who are seeking separate administration IPAK said that such an arrangement will benefit them they have their eyes on cuts from poppy cultivators.

Saying that it will not accept any fragmentation or disintegration of the State, IPAK said that the association is ready to take the matter to international platforms and even UNO if need be.

What is the meaning of SoO pact with Kuki militant groups who are based in Myanmar and setting up their designated camps in the State, it asked.

Questioning whether the State Government and the Central Government have given a free hand to these militants to run riot and kill innocent civilians, IPAK demanded immediate abrogation of the SoO pact.

In the meantime it is feared that nearly one million Chin-Kuki-Mizo illegal immigrants may have intruded into the State since the political turmoil erupted in Myanmar in 1990s upto 2023, noted IPAK.

The estimated population of these communities in Myanmar, Bangladesh and India is around 12 million which is much more than the population of indigenous folks of Manipur.

These communities, using their population might and huge resources gathered by using drug money, are now pushing for a separate Kuki homeland or greater Mizoram with the help of 10 Kuki MLAs, charged IPAK.

It has utmost respect for Kukis who have been settling in the State since monarchical times but the newly arrived illegal immigrants should be deported to their respective countries, said IPAK.

The disturbance created in the State by Kuki militants based in Myanmar and illegal immigrants is clearly a National security issue.

Sacrilege of age-old religious and historical evidence including importants temples and their genocidal activities after the May 3 solidarity march where firearms were openly displayed indicates that the present situation was a result of a carefully planned movement, it said.

Going further into the Kuki-paramilitary nexus, IPAK said that there have been reports of drug seizure from military officials and ironically there has been no deep inquiry into the incidents.

Moreover, harbouring Kuki militants in AR camps and allowing arson and attacks on Meitei people are evident, it said.

To everyone's surprise, RAF personnel were even caught for arson in Imphal, it added while urging the State Government to keep a close eye on these activities of the paramilitary forces deployed in the State.

IPAK also decried inaction of the State and the Central Government when National Highway 2 has been blocked for weeks at several locations resulting in price rise of essential commodities and severely affecting common people.

IPAK also appealed to all communities to be very cautious during this time expressing fear that many divisive plans are being floated to drive wedge between Meitei and other neutral communities citing the act of arson by RAF personnel on May 26 .

Saying that it is no time for political parties to play politics and take mileage, IPAK also urged all political parties to stand together and work towards finding an amicable solution to the present crisis.

IPAK also demanded appropriate legal actions against those persons carrying sophisticated firearms during the May 3 march, those involved in terrosism and genocidal activities and the CSOs and student body supporting it.

IPAK also appealed to the Government to ensure proper resettlement and rehabilitation of displaced people, provision for peace and security, implementation of NRC to detect illegal immigrants and take up necessary measures under relevant Acts.

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