Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Thursday said that SoO could be considered to be still in effect as Centre has not withdrawn from the pact although the state cabinet had exited from the SoO agreement. However, the pact was not extended from February 29, 2024.
He was responding to a query raised by Congress MLA K Ranjit on Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement on the floor of the House during the ongoing sixth session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly.
However, MLA K Ranjit confronted the chief minister's statement as a confusing and contradictory response with respect to the status of the SoO agreement.
To this, the chief minister informed the floor of the House that the state cabinet, after seeing the unwanted activities of the militant groups, withdrew from the pact in March 2024. The decision to withdraw was also sent to the Centre and since then the pact has not been extended, the CM said
"The SoO is a tripartite pact between the central government, Manipur government and multiple Kuki militant groups", said Biren.
The accord should still be considered in effect, as it is a tripartite agreement involving the state, the central government and Kuki militant groups, the CM said.
However, the central government has not extended the SoO agreement with Kuki militant groups since February 29, 2024, following the resolution adopted by both the state government and state assembly, Biren informed.
"Between March 1, 2024 and July 31, 2024, police arrested three cadres belonging to the SoO groups, and 137 FIRs were registered in connection with their activities", the CM informed.
In a supplementary question regarding the SoO agreement, MLA K Ranjit said that if it is still considered, then it undermines the dignity of the House.
The chief minister said that the Central government has respected the decision of the Manipur State cabinet and assembly by not extending the SoO agreement since February 2024. The Centre government's action reflects a recognition of the state government's stance on the issue, he added.
SoO is for bringing peace by the Central government and the Manipur government cannot interfere much in it, the CM said.
