In a massive demonstration of dissent, thousands of individuals took to the streets of Imphal East on Thursday demanding the abrogation of the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement signed between the central government and 24 Kuki militant groups.
The protest rally, jointly organised by the Village Protection Force, Eramdam Kanba Lup, and United Committee of Pukhao and Makeng Dolaithabi GP, saw a participation of at least 3,000 people.
Starting from Sambei playground, the rally made its way towards Imphal, but was met with resistance from security personnel near Sainik School, after initial attempts to block them at Pangei Bazar failed.
Despite this, a delegation comprising the representatives from the organising bodies was permitted to proceed and submit a memorandum to the governor at Raj Bhawan, while another memorandum was forwarded to the Union Home Minister through the latter.
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Though there were report of confrontation between the security forces and the protestors in the attempt to block the rally, there was no incident of any violence and injuries.
The memorandum emphasised that the abrogation of the SoO agreement is seen as the only solution to the ongoing crisis, citing concerns over the involvement of SoO groups in escalating violence and their alleged ties to drug trafficking.
It also alleged that the SoO groups join hands with the narco-terrorists who are infiltrating the border and carried out systematic attacks and mass plantation and cultivation of poppy by clearing the reserve forest with the hidden agenda to establish second ‘Golden Triangle’ in Northeast under their control after getting the so called ‘Zalengam’ or separate state or separate administration.
The abnormal change in demography is due to the influx of Chin Kuki Zo immigrants from Myanmar who are skilled labour for poppy plantation, it said adding this leads to the increase of thousands of unauthorised and illegal kuki villages in Churchandpur and other kuki dominated areas.
Further stating that there is evidence of involvement of foreign Chin Kuki Zo militant groups helping the SoO cadres in the present crisis in Manipur, it said this threatens and will affect the internal security of India.
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The memorandum also highlighted the plight of the people of Manipur subjected to harassment, extortion, and abduction by SoO cadres, resulting in highway blockades and interference in government affairs.
Addressing the media after submitting the memorandum to the governor, Tonjam Somorjit, the spokesperson for the organising bodies conveyed that the governor has assured them of forwarding the memorandum to the Union Home Minister for further consideration.
The memorandum was also forwarded to chief minister N Biren and MLA of Khundrakpam AC Th Lokeshwar.
