Special Correspondent
New Delhi, July 22:
The Indigenous People’s Forum, Manipur (IPFM) and the Delhi Meitei Coordination Committee (DMCC) have demanded the immediate abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki militant groups, asserting that its continuation has undermined efforts to restore peace and the rule of law in Manipur.
Addressing a joint press conference at the Press Club of India, the organisations alleged that the SoO agreement had failed to achieve its stated objective of maintaining peace and had instead enabled militant groups to operate with impunity. They claimed that repeated violations of the agreement had fuelled violence, extortion, illegal arms movement and narcotics trafficking, while enforcement against violations remained inadequate.
The organisations simultaneously submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, urging the Centre to revoke the SoO agreement without delay and take decisive steps to address what they described as the worsening security and humanitarian situation in the State.
The memorandum also called for the immediate arrest of those accused in the killing of six Naga civilians whose bodies were recovered near Leilon Vaiphei on June 10, 2026, after they had gone missing. The organisations alleged that although suspects had been identified, the principal accused remained at large, raising concerns over delays in the investigation and the delivery of justice.
Expressing solidarity with the families of the six victims, the organisations also paid tribute to Meitei civilians killed during the ongoing conflict, alleging that many of the attacks were carried out by Kuki militant groups operating under the SoO arrangement.
The IPFM and DMCC further criticised the Central Government’s handling of the Manipur crisis over the past three years, alleging delays in restoring normalcy and questioning the effectiveness of the existing security framework. They urged both the Centre and the State Government to ensure impartial security operations, equal protection under the law for all communities, and the recovery of illegal arms without discrimination.
The organisations also condemned the recent burning of several Meitei houses at Kanto Sabal near the Leimakhong Army Headquarters, describing the incident as a serious security lapse. They questioned how such an attack could occur in close proximity to a major military installation and demanded a thorough investigation along with swift action against those responsible.
Responding to recent statements by the Kuki-Zo Council, the organisations said lasting peace in Manipur could only be achieved through equal justice for victims from every community. They also reiterated their opposition to any proposal for a separate administrative arrangement, contending that any move towards territorial division would deepen ethnic tensions and undermine Manipur’s territorial integrity.
The memorandum urged the Union Government to immediately revoke the SoO agreement, ensure impartial enforcement of the law, bring all those responsible for violence to justice, and take urgent measures to restore public confidence, peace and stability in Manipur.
