Imphal: In an unprecedented development, the Manipur government withdrew Friday from the tripartite talks or suspension of operations (SoO) with two Kuki militant groups based in a few hill districts of Manipur.
The withdrawal of the SoO with the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA) effectively means the state government will resume counter-insurgency operations against the Kuki militants, which had been under tripartite talks for the last several years.
The decision to withdraw from SoO came after several Kuki bodies and associations held rallies with the alleged support of the militant groups on Friday at Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, and Tengnoupal against the alleged destruction of poppy cultivations and eviction of encroachment from the reserved forests by the state government.Â
The KNO and ZRA had entered into separate tripartite agreements for SoO with the Centre and the state government in 2008. The agreement is extended from time to time.
Many cadres of these militants are “currently” in designated camps set up by the government in different areas in the state.
Of the total 25 armed Kuki groups operating in Manipur, 17 are under the KNO and eight are under the United People’s Front (UPF).
Moreover, various organizations in the state have opposed the increasing number of illegal immigrants from Myanmar settling in Manipur and starting illegal businesses such as poppy plantations, drug production, militancy, etc. In the wake of government action against drug traffickers, encroachers on protected forest land, and the destruction of poppy plants, various forms of movements have been started by the immigrants, they said. Numbers of villagers have also increased in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts.
A Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Friday, which was also attended by several senior police officials, noted that the rallies were organised for a cause that was unconstitutional and illegal.
After detailed deliberation, the Cabinet decided to withdraw the State Government from tripartite talks /SoO agreements with the two hill-based insurgent groups, namely the Kuki National Army (KNA) and the Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA) whose leaders hail from outside the State, according to a statement.
The Cabinet further reaffirmed that the State Government will not compromise on steps taken to protect the State’s forest resources and for eradicating poppy cultivation.
Meanwhile, the state government also sent show-cause notices to the DCs and SPs of Churachandpur and Tengnoupal for allowing the rally in violation of prohibitory orders under CrPC 144. Strong action will be taken against officers responsible for lapses in security, it warned. With agency inputs
