Imphal: The Meitei Heritage Society has felt deeply disturbed by recent developments and media reports that the Ministry of Home Affairs is considering signing the Suspension of Operations (SoO) with Chin Kuki militant groups, against the Manipur Government’s decision, public opposition and ongoing investigations of involvement of the militants in the ongoing Manipur crisis, including killing of security forces.
“We are particularly alarmed by reports pointing the SoO agreement will be signed if the Chin Kuki Militant Group agree to closure of two designated SoO camps belonging to the ZRA of the UPF group. It is pertinent to note that the three ZRA camps, namely Camp Muvanlai, Mt. Sinai, and Phaiba, are already in remote areas and thus closure of two of these three sites does not have any material difference in controlling the law or order issues,” the Meitei Heritage Society said in a statement released on Tuesday.
As per the provisions of the SoO agreement, any group found violating its terms should face action, including use of force against the group. Far from taking action, rewarding these militants with renewed protection or relocation of camps by paying them through tax-payers’ money, will be legitimizing the illegal activities carried out by these groups, it added.
The last popular Manipur Government had taken decision to abrogate SoO with KNA and ZRA in March 2023, and followed with a resolution not to extend SoO agreements in January 2024 because of repeated ground rule violations. We understand no renewal was signed thereafter, and thus the agreement stands terminated Feb 28, 2024, it added.
Now, if the Manipur government, under the President’s rule enters into this agreement, it will bypass the decision of the popular Government and snub demand of the public across communities, yearning for peace from the over 2 years old violence, the Meitei Heritage Council said.
“The condition to close two camps is nothing but an eyewash to secure SoO extension in total disregard of the will of the people and the SoO’s own guiding principles.”
The Meitei Heritage Society made its request to the Government of India to take note of the demand of the people of state, the popular government decision, resolution of the Cabinet and repeated violation of rules; and not sign any agreement with the Chin Kuki militant groups.
