IT News
Imphal, Aug 8:
During a recent assembly session, Congress MLA K. Ranjit Singh confronted Chief Minister N. Biren Singh over what he described as a confusing and contradictory response regarding the current status of the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement with armed Kuki militants.
In response to MLA K. Ranjit Singh’s , Chief Minister N. Biren Singh stated that while the Government of Manipur had officially withdrawn from the SoO agreement, the accord should still be considered in effect, as it is a tripartite agreement involving the state, the central government, and the Kuki militant groups. However, in a separate response, the Chief Minister, who also serves as the leader of the House, clarified that the central government has not extended the SoO agreement with the Kuki rebel groups since February 29, 2024, following the resolution adopted by both the state government and the state assembly.
The Chief Minister further revealed that 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.
In a supplementary question, MLA K. Ranjit Singh expressed concern over the Chief Minister’s earlier statement that the SoO agreement could still be considered active. He argued that this stance undermines the dignity of the House, particularly since the state assembly had previously resolved to withdraw from the SoO agreement, and the state cabinet had also taken a similar decision. Ranjit questioned the validity of continuing a tripartite agreement if one party has withdrawn and asked what the Government of Manipur’s position would be if the Government of India decided to retroactively resume the SoO.
In response, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh reiterated that the central government has respected the decisions of the Manipur state cabinet and assembly by not extending the SoO agreement since February 2024. He emphasized that the central government’s actions reflect a recognition of the state government’s stance on the issue.
