The Union Home Ministry seems to have rejected the Manipur government proposal for withdrawal of Suspension of Operation (SoO) with the Kuki National Army (KNA), Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA) and the Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA), according to knowledgeable sources.
It may be recalled that top officials of the Manipur government had briefed the Union Home Secretary of the state government position, but ministry officials after assessing the ground situation and feedback from security officials had rejected the unilateral abrogation of SoO.
Chief Minister N Biren Singh had also met the Union Home Minister Amit Shah and apprised him on the violation of ground rules by certain SoO groups, some of which are openly supporting and encouraging poppy cultivation in the hill areas.
Sources, however, said the Union Home Minister was positive to the steps taken up by the state government and assured all support in its endeavour towards protection of forest lands and the war against drugs and poppy cultivation in the hill areas.
Manipur Chief Secretary Rajesh Kumar, Home Commissioner T Ranjit Singh, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) AK Joshi on Sunday left Imphal for New Delhi to discuss issues pertaining to the recent cabinet decision to withdraw from the tripartite Suspension of Operation (SoO) Agreement.
The state cabinet on March 14 decided to withdraw the State Government from SoO agreements with three hill-based insurgent groups, namely the Kuki National Army (KNA), the Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA) and the Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA).
Initially, the Cabinet in a statement stated that it resolved to suspend SoO for KNA and ZRA.
However, speaking exclusively to the Imphal Free Press, the chief minister had informed that the state had also later decided to withdraw the agreement with KRA.
The decision followed after the rallies held at Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Tengnoupal districts and a clash that took place with police in Kangpokpi district, the Manipur state cabinet reviewed the law and order situation in various districts.
Meanwhile, the Kuki National Organization (KNO), an entity of the tripartite talks with the Government of India and the government of Manipur has stated that the cabinet decision to withdraw KNA and ZRA from Suspension of Operations contradicts the essence of Suspension of Operations.
Joint secretary, information and publicity of KNO Stephen Kuki stated on Sunday that the primary purpose of signing the SoO in 2008 was to create an atmosphere conducive for amicable political dialogue among the Government of India, the state Government of Manipur, and the two umbrella organisations, Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the United People's Front (UPF).
Meanwhile, it is rumoured that the Kuki ministers and MLAs have close ranks against the Chief Minister for his unilateral abrogation of SoO without taking the Centre into confidence.
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