Immediately withdraw SoO agreement with Kuki militants: Demonstrators press Manipur government

Imphal: Supporting the demand to immediately withdraw suspension of operation (SoO) agreement signed between Manipur government and different Kuki militant groups, women vendors of Pureiromba market staged a one day sit-in-protest at Pureiromba market, Palace Compound, Imphal East on Wednesday.

The protest was demonstrated under the banner “Withdraw Immediately the suspension of operation (SoO) agreement with militant groups under foreigners”.

Secretary of Pureiromba market, Ngangbam Ongbi Baby said the protest is conducted demanding to stop entry of illegal immigrants from Myanmar to Manipur.

She said as per press note issued on December 3 by People Alliance’s for Peace and Progress, Manipur it is learnt that the main persons to help illegal entry of immigrants from Myanmar is done by the two leaders of KNO/KNA, Soyang Haokip and ZRA/ZRO leader, Thang Lian Pau.

The state government have signed SoO agreement with these militant groups which are controlled by the two leaders who are Myanmarese nationals. Even the Kuki militant groups started claiming the sacred historic Koubru and Thangjing as for the Kuki communities, she added.

The secretary demanded that the peace talks that have been undertaking between government and Kuki militant groups should be withdrawn immediately. “Under the agreement many illegal immigrants have been entering in the state.”

“The women folks will intensify agitation if the demands are not met in time,” she cautioned.