A team of ministers and MLAS, including Naga legislators submitted a representation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, demanding withdrawal of SoO agreement, and complete disarmament to foster a peaceful dialogue in connection with the Manipur crisis.
The representation signed by several ministers and MLAs totalling 40 in numbers stated that simple deployment of forces is inadequate for the immediate establishment of security. Although it is imperative to halt the violence in the peripheral areas, a complete disarmament is the key to achieve this goal, it mentioned.
The confiscation of all weapons belonging to insurgent groups and illegal armed foreign forces and those snatched from the state machinery needs to be carried out, it stated.
There have been numerous instances of farmers going out to work their fields (to subsist) only to be fired upon by militants in elevated positions, it mentioned. The weapons that are being used by militants in these firing incidents are sophisticated military grade arms which include assault, sniper rifles and Rocket propelled Grenades (RPGs), it further stated.
In many cases, these firing incidents have occurred in the presence of Central Security Forces which have allegedly failed to react appropriately, or react at all, it mentioned. This has led to a loss of faith in these forces and the buildup of public resentment, it added.
It stated that the Assam Rifles (9, 22 and 37) need to be transferred from their present location of deployment while trustworthy Central forces along with state security can replace them to sanitize and neutralize to neutralize and sanitize the whole area of any and all threats to peace, security and stability.
The withdrawal of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) Agreement with all those who have violated the ground rules at the earliest is recommended to remove any disadvantages for the Central Forces with regard to the rules of engagement with these threats, it stated.
“There has been large scale foreign infiltration with arms and ammunition into the state. So, the Central forces should proactively engage with them. There has been a non-stop conflict between the State/Central forces and these insurgent armed groups in the state for the last 3 months,” it mentioned.
The source and funding of these sophisticated arms and ammunition needs to be investigated, keeping in view of how the conflict has lasted for the past three months, and the arms continue to arrive into the state, it mentioned.
It stated that to reassure the indigenous people of Manipur, the National Registrar of Citizens (NRC) can be implemented in Manipur, sooner rather than later. It categorically stated that a 'separate administration' as demanded by the ITLF/Kukis is absolutely unacceptable under any circumstances.
It also suggested for consideration to strengthen the Autonomous District Council (ADC), and conduct of regular elections (which have not been taking place) to the Hill Area Committee (HAC) and the six existing Autonomous District Councils (ADCs).
The necessary peace talks can be initiated and deliver a lasting solution to the ongoing crisis with the fulfillment of these measures, it added.
