Manipur cabinet to support SoO

Imphal, Aug 24: The Manipur cabinet has decided to support the truce signed between the Centre and Kuki militant outfits in New Delhi, official sources said on Sunday, Aug 24. They said a meeting of the state cabinet, presided over by Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, was held on Saturday, Aug 23, where it was decided to support the Suspension of Operations (SoO) signed between the Centre, Manipur government and two Kuki underground outfits, the KNO and UPF, on Friday.

Officials said the talks would be within the ambit of the Constitution and Manipur's territorial integrity could not be compromised.

The Kuki militants would be provided assistance and would have to confine themselves within a specific zone not be allowed to stay along the international border areas and National Highway areas.

Tripartite discussions between the Manipur government, Centre and United Peoples Front (UPF), an umbrella organisation consisting of eight groups, on Suspension of Operations agreement have been under way for some time.

A tripartite SoO greement, which provides inter alia, for ground rules for operationalisation of this arrangement, effective for a period of one year, was signed by representatives of the Manipur government, UPF and the Centre.

The tripartite discussions between the Manipur government, the Centre and Kuki National Organisation (KNO), an umbrella organisation, consisting of 11 groups, on SoO agreement, have also been under way for some time.

A tripartite SoO agreement which provides, inter alia, for ground rules for operationalisation of this arrangement, effective for a period of one year, was also signed by representatives of the Manipur government, KNO and Centre.

UNI