If National leaders don’t act against Kuki terrorists, let’s ban all political parties from entering Manipur: Maheshwar Thounaojam

IT News
Imphal, Jan 22:
Maheshwar Thounaojam, the National General Secretary of the Republican Party of India (Athawale), has called upon leaders from both ruling and opposition parties in Manipur to collectively approach Delhi. He said the leaders should urge central leaders to take decisive action against Kuki terrorists who are infiltrating Manipur and causing harm to its residents. Emphasizing the urgency of the situation, he stated that if national leaders fail to address the issue promptly, it should be made clear that political parties from outside will not be permitted to enter Manipur.
Speaking at a press conference held at his residence in Keishampat, Maheshwar highlighted the continuous violations of the Suspension of Operation (SoO) ground rules by Kuki militants over the past eight months. These actions, he argued, warrant the revocation of the SoO agreement that Kuki militants had previously signed with the Indian Government. Urging the Central Government to act swiftly, he stated, “The revocation of SoO is imperative at this point, as it is already overdue.”
Continuing his statement, Maheshwar Thounaojam added, “Furthermore, the Chin-Kuki community has been enjoying Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for an extended period, which, in our view, is not rightfully justified. The Tribal Affairs Ministry has already communicated this concern to the Manipur Government. Therefore, our stance is not against the government; rather, we aim to assist in expediting the process. With the ministry’s letter already dispatched, yesterday’s discussion under Article 342 could have been more comprehensive. It is crucial because even Kuki terrorists, including those recently involved in civilian killings, may be benefiting from the Scheduled Tribe status. This includes illegal immigrants and infiltrators who might have obtained ST status.”
Underlining the need for immediate action, he stressed, “With the Central Government’s letter sent to the Manipur Government, according to Article 342, the state government should promptly recommend the removal of ST status from the Kuki community. Simultaneously, pressure should be exerted on the Central Government to revoke the Suspension of Operation (SoO). I urge leaders from both the opposition and ruling parties to collectively visit New Delhi and appeal for decisive action against infiltrating Kuki terrorists. This is not just for the well-being of Manipur but for the greater good of India. Should they fail to act, we must make it clear that political parties from outside will not be permitted entry into Manipur, and internal discussions on this matter must be brought to a halt.”