Newmai News Network Imphal | May 29 The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the apex body of the Kuki community in the State, has expressed its discontentment over the alleged statement of Manipur Chief Minister, N Biren Singh terming the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement a “failure”. In a press release received here, KIM said while it had “high hope” on N Biren Singh led government in Manipur to resolve the “age old political issue” of the Kukis through dialogue, the latter’s statement reflect the “deplorable” attitude of the government. A tripartite SoO (Suspension of Operations) currently in operation between the Government of India, Government of Manipur (GoM) and the Kuki revolutionary groups under the umbrella of the UPF (United People’s Front) and the KNO (Kuki National Organisation). “The Kuki Inpi Manipur and the general public have been consistently supporting tripartite SoO …with the feeling that the militant groups through dialogue can only ensure self determination for the Kuki people. However, the statement of the Chief Minister on Anti-Terrorism Day recently seems to reflect the feeling of the Government of Manipur to only confine the Kuki armed groups to their designated camps while the political issue remains unresolved,” KIM stated. It further alleged that there have been instances of killing of police commandos recently by NSCN (IM) and “constant ambush against Security forces by non SoO groups in Manipur”. There are IED blasts almost every week in Moreh, KIM pointed out urging the GoM to look into “these acts of violence which are bigger threats” to the safety and security of the people of Manipur. The Chief Minister of Manipur “seems to overlook the larger threat” faced by civilians and undermines the Kuki armed groups under SoO, it added. The Kuki armed groups under SoO have not been “engaged in any ambush or killing against security forces after signing the SoO agreement,” KIM maintained. However, it lamented that “no remarkable political solution has been achieved for the Kukis because of signing the SoO pact.” “In fact, they have been living under pathetic condition in these designated camps deprived of basic necessities like drinking water, medical aid, ration and stipends to meet day to day necessities in these camps”. According to the Kuki body, it is “deplorable” that the Chief Minister of Manipur “overlooked these sufferings and negligence” by the government towards the Kuki armed groups under SoO, and “terms the agreement a failure”. Instead they are dwelling in a pathetic condition in the designated camps with the hope that “their leaders would one day restore the Kukis’ right to self administration within the Indian Union,” it said. It is imperative, KIM stressed, for the Government of Manipur and the Chief Minister to reconsider their stand on the Kuki armed groups by expediting the political dialogue with UPF and KNO before they “choose to go back to the jungles.” “We cannot afford to lose peace and harmony in the hills that have been achieved because of the SoO agreement with the Kuki militant groups,” KIM asserted.
