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).
Since its inception in 2008, the Suspension of Operations has ushered huge peace dividends in the hills of Manipur, he stated.
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In regard to the peace rally held on March 10, he said that the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) organised it against the Government of Manipur for allegedly not following proper procedure concerning the declaration of parts of the Scheduled Areas as Reserved Forest, Protected Forest, Protected Sites, and Wildlife Sanctuaries.
Citing an example, the KNO leader claimed that K Songjang village is a Gazetted village within the Kungpi Naosen village area recognized in 1926, but was regardlessly evicted on February 20, 2023.
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To air public grievance, the ITLF organised a peaceful march on March 10, which went off successfully with a memorandum submitted to the state governor and the chief minister of Manipur, he added.
In a Northeast Live interview, the KNO leader stated that chief minister N Biren Singh made a statement that the Kuki National Army (KNA) and Zo Revolutionary Army (ZRA) are catalysts of the Peaceful March, along with allegations of promoting poppy cultivation; and lastly, the issue of nationality of PS Haokip and Thanglianpau, respectively leaders of KNA and ZRA, on which account the State Cabinet took a decision to withdraw the two organizations from Suspension of Operations (SoO).
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Concerning the question of nationality, the KNO leader clarified that PS Haokip is a citizen of India, born at Akhan village in Phek district of Nagaland while Thanglianpau was formerly a Member of Parliament from the National League of Democracy, Myanmar, but has acquired Indian citizenship.
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Stephen Kuki further stated that KNO has been extensively engaged in the eradication of Poppy since 2016, and the Government's active role in this endeavour as of 2022 has also contributed positively.
It may be mentioned that following a clash that took place with police in Kangpokpi district on March 10, the Manipur cabinet reviewed the law and order situation in various districts.
The Manipur Cabinet on Friday evening also decided to withdraw from tripartite talks with two militant groups, the Kuki National Army (KNA) and the Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA).
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