Close on the heels of top officials of Manipur government meeting the Union Home Secretary, Chief Minister N Biren Singh met Union Home Minister Amit Shah late Monday and apprised him on the latest developments regarding the recent withdrawal of SoO with KNA, ZRA and KRA by the state government.
Informed sources 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.
The chief minister was in New Delhi to attend the inaugural function of Yoga Mahotsav 2023- An Event to Commemorate 100 Days Countdown to International Day of Yoga 2023, at Talkatora Indoor Stadium in the national capital.
"Delighted to be a part of Yoga Mahotsav-2023, an event to commemorate 100 days Countdown to International Day of Yoga 2023 at Talkatora Indoor Stadium, New Delhi. Similar to India's G20 Presidency theme, "Yoga" also embodies the message of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'. I congratulate the organizing team and wish them the best for the next 100 days," the chief minister said in a Facebook post.
Later, Chief Minister N Biren Singh met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Monday and discussed the state's welfare and security issues with the Union minister.
"Delighted to meet Hon’ble Home Minister Shri@AmitShah Ji in New Delhi today. We discussed about various issues pertaining to the security of the state as well as the welfare and development of Manipur," Biren captioned a photo post of him meeting Amit Shah on Twitter.
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.
State officials are optimistic of support from the Centre regarding the SoO withdrawal.
The state cabinet on Friday 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, talking exclusively to 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.
The Cabinet noted that the rallies were organised for a cause which is unconstitutional and the rallies therefore were illegal, stated a release.
After a detailed deliberation, the Cabinet decided to withdraw the State Government from tripartite talks/SoO agreements with three hill-based insurgent groups, namely the Kuki National Army (KNA), the Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA) whose leaders hail from outside the state, it stated.
