Manipur govt to Center: Abrogate SoO UG groups with anti-state activities immediately

Imphal: Manipur government on Sunday adopted a series of resolutions pertaining to the ongoing violence in the state during the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly held in Imphal.

The assembly was attended by 34 legislators of the ruling government. Altogether, seven Naga legislators also attended the assembly, in which four from the Naga People’s Front (NPF), two from BJP and one from NPP.

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Here are the key highlights of the resolutions:

1. The Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreements with the armed militant groups, and the immunity it provides to these groups from a firm reaction from Central forces, is the main cause of the never-ending cycle of violence. Thus, Suspension of Operation with militants who indulge in killing of innocent civilians and violation of ground rules should be abrogated immediately. The SoO agreement with other militant groups who also indulge in anti-state activities should not be extended beyond its expiry date of 29/2/2024.
   
2. Complete Disarmament of all illegal arms in the possession of miscreants and unauthorized persons in the entire State at the earliest by the Central and State forces.
   
3. Armed attacks (using sophisticated weaponry such as Rocket Propelled Grenade launchers) on Indian soil, Indian citizens and State security forces by Myanmar-based Armed Militants must be stopped at all costs. It will be to the detriment of the prestige of the Republic of India if this cannot be achieved in short order.
   
4. In many of the sensitive areas, Assam Rifles are not responsive and remain mute spectators when unarmed civilians (particularly farmers) are being indiscriminately fired upon frequently. The claim that their deployment is providing security to the communities residing in these areas has been questioned. These forces and their leadership (chain of command) need to give strict instructions and be held accountable and replaced with forces that have the ability to act by returning suppressive fire when they observe that unarmed civilians are being fired upon, to enable civilians to get to cover and safety. Such a reaction, which is wholly appropriate to safeguard the lives of civilians under fire, has been non-existent which is why the public’s faith and trust in the forces presently deployed at places such as Moreh, Bishnupur, Imphal West, Kakching etc. has been shattered.
   
   Fake History
   
   During the Assembly, the legislators unanimously resolved that the Government of India should take up appropriate action at the earliest. If Government of India is unable to take any positive action as per these demands, the legislators also warned to take appropriate action in consultation with the public.
   
   On Sunday evening, Chief Minister N Biren Singh who chaired a meeting with leaders and representatives of 10 political parties in Manipur assured to seek an appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the ongoing crisis in the state.
   
   Ever since the ethnic violence erupted in May 3 last year in Manipur, over 200 people have been killed and around 70,000 are internally displaced.

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