The Suspension of Operations (SoO) with Kuki militant groups in Manipur under the umbrella of the United People's Front (UPF) and the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) has been extended for 12 more months.
The SoO was effective up to February 28, 2022. The SoO was further extended for the 14th time based on mutual understanding of all the parties in the meeting held in New Delhi on Monday, for 12 more months with effect from March 1, 2022, till February 28, 2023. Then agreed ground rules will remain unchanged, according to the March 7 meeting agreement.
The tripartite meet in New Delhi with the Government of India and government of Manipur representatives was attended by representatives of UPF led by its spokesperson Aaron Kipgen, and representatives of KNO led by its spokesperson Seilen Haokip.
Ashutosh Kumar Sinha, Addl. Director-General of Police (Int), represented the Manipur government, while Piyush Goyal, Addl. Secretary(NE), Ministry of Home Affairs, represented the Government of India.
It may be recalled that Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his visit to Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts before Manipur went to poll on February 8, and March 5, said that the government will hold peace talks with all Kuki militant groups and their issue will be resolved in the next five years if they voted the BJP to power.
While the Union Home minister asked the Kuki community to have confidence in the BJP government, he assured to hold talks with all Kuki organisations, and a new life will be given to all Kuki youths to enable them to join the development of the nation, of the hills and Manipur under PM Modi.
During the election rally in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi, the Union Home Minister had also said that as the problem of Bodo militancy was solved in the neighboring Assam, no Kuki youth will have to carry arms anymore as their problem will also be solved.
