Latest news with #SuspensionofOperations
Hindustan Times
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Manipur: Naga group agrees to call off agitation after meeting with officials
IMPHAL: The Foothill Naga Coordination Committee (FNCC) has agreed to call off its blockade and agitation 'temporarily' following a meeting between their representatives and the Manipur government officials in Imphal on Friday afternoon. The Foothill Naga Coordination Committee called an indefinite bandh in the Naga inhabited foothill areas in Manipur from July 18 midnight. (Representative photo)(HT_PRINT) People familiar with the matter said the meeting discussed key issues raised by the committee and regarding the alleged unauthorised road construction, the state government clarified that it had neither approved nor sanctioned any such roads. It assured that necessary legal action would be taken after verification, and any illegal construction or naming would not be permitted. On the issues of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement and designated camps, the government said that the interests and apprehensions of Nagas in the foothill areas would be seriously considered in consultation with the Government of India. On the illegal poppy cultivation, both parties acknowledged that the state government has been taking stern actions against those involved in poppy cultivation under existing laws. It may be mentioned that the FNCC, with the support of various other bodies in protest against what it described as encroachment into ancestral Naga territories continues in Manipur, called the indefinite bandh in the Naga inhabited foothill areas in the state from July 18 midnight. The FNCC is protesting against the alleged construction of 'the German and Tiger roads' without the prior knowledge and consent of the Naga people. The proposed German and Tiger roads connect Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts. It strongly opposed the alleged illegal establishment and alleged relocation of Suspension of Operation (SoO) camps by Kuki militants within Naga areas, as well as the unchecked cultivation of poppy, which it argued endangered the social and environmental balance of indigenous lands. It also directed urgent appeals to the Government of India, demanding the immediate dismantling of all illegal SoO camps and militant training centres on Naga ancestral lands. They have also called for an end to what they describe as encroachments and unauthorised renaming of roads or landmarks within their territories without proper indigenous consultation.
Indian Express
26-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
In Manipur, extending President's Rule is not a solution
In February this year, the N Biren Singh-led government's failure to stanch ethnic violence since May 2023 prompted the Centre to intervene and impose President's Rule in Manipur. The provision is intended as a temporary mechanism to ensure the governance of a state in which there has been a 'failure of [the] constitutional machinery'. It is not designed to be a permanent solution or a substitute for a popular government. President's Rule is a means to an end, not the end by itself. In this context, the government's move to extend President's Rule by another six months, scheduled in this Parliament session, raises questions about whether the Centre's efforts so far have significantly advanced the objective of restoring normalcy in the state. While it is reassuring that no major episode of violence has occurred since last November — when 22 people were killed over 11 days, most of them in Jiribam district — it is also true that there has been little progress in the dialogue between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. Three key issues require urgent resolution: Free movement, the relocation of internally displaced persons, and the circulation of weapons. In early March, Home Minister Amit Shah had called for unrestricted movement across Manipur in an effort to reverse the segregation of the two communities. However, that initiative collapsed on its very first day. According to this newspaper, fresh negotiations are now underway between the government and Kuki militant groups under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement to reach a deal that would allow free movement of people and goods. On relocation, former Manipur Chief Secretary P K Singh announced earlier this month that efforts are being made to resettle those displaced by the conflict in three phases, with the goal of completing the process by the end of the year. As per estimates from the Manipur Home Department, around 57,000 people continue to struggle in over 280 relief camps across the valley and the hills. Finally, despite the Governor's efforts to curb the circulation of illegal weapons, roughly 3,000 looted arms are still unaccounted for. It is only natural for the people of Manipur to feel increasingly restless over the continued absence of a popular government. This is why the NDA's Meitei and Naga MLAs have also been campaigning for months to push for its restoration, while Kuki-Zo groups are wary of the prospect of another partisan leader at the helm. The Centre may believe that extending President's Rule is in the state's best interest for now, but it needs to move with urgency to restart the political process. Simultaneously, it must take steps to curb the influence of militant groups on both sides that could derail attempts at reconciliation. Peace — and the return of the mediating role of politics — must no more be held hostage to entrenched ethnic rivalries.
India Today
22-07-2025
- Politics
- India Today
5 militants killed as rival Kuki-Chin insurgent groups clash in Manipur
At least five militants were killed on Tuesday morning in a violent clash between two rival Kuki-Chin insurgent groups deep inside the forests of Deiveijang village in Manipur's Noney sources confirmed to India Today that the incident took place about 50 kilometres south of Nungba in a remote jungle area with no road connectivity or mobile network coverage."The location is not easily accessible. We have sent a team to the site, but details are still coming in," a senior official The clash reportedly involved cadres of the United Kuki National Army (UKNA) and the Chin Kuki Mizo Army (CKMA) — both non-signatories to the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the 2008, the SoO agreement was started by the Government of India through an interlocutor chosen by the home ministry with the aim of finding a political solution for the Kuki population in to sources, the deceased militants have been identified as Alex, Seiboi, Pongba, Ringo, and Rambo, though it remains unclear which group they belonged and intelligence officials believe the gunfight was the result of rising competition between the two groups over territorial control and influence in the hill districts of Manipur and the adjoining Indo-Myanmar UKNA and CKMA are said to be newly formed outfits, composed mainly of splinter elements from older Chin-Kuki insurgent between the groups have been building, particularly after UKNA was allegedly involved in the assassination of the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Kuki National Army (KNA) — a SoO signatory group — on June 30. That killing triggered unrest and sparked a wider rift within the Kuki-Chin militant network, insiders the clash, security agencies have intensified surveillance and movement tracking in and around the area, although no official statement has yet been issued by the Manipur Police or central paramilitary forces regarding the incident or any further security of Tuesday evening, the atmosphere in Deiveijang and the surrounding forested region was highly incident adds to the growing complexity of Manipur's already volatile security situation, marked by fractured insurgent loyalties and intermittent armed has witnessed one of the bloodiest episodes in the form of ethnic violence between the members of the Meitei and the Kuki-Zo communities. In the violence that began in May 2023, over 250 people have been killed and over 60,000 have been displaced.- EndsMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Manipur
Hindustan Times
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Manipur: 5 militants killed in factional clash between Chin-Kuki rebel outfits
IMPHAL: At least five militants were killed in a fierce factional gunfight between two newly formed Chin-Kuki rebel outfits in the dense forests of Deiveijang village near Longpi, under Nungba Police Station in Manipur's Noney district on Tuesday morning, officials confirmed. Officials believe the gunfight was the result of rising tensions and competition between the two factions over territorial and organisational control. (Representational image) A police official said the incident site lies approximately 50 kilometres south of Nungba Police Station and is located deep inside the jungle. 'It is not a motorable road and even there is no mobile signal in the place. We also have no adequate details, but a team has been deployed to the spot,' the official told HT. People familiar with the matter said the clash occurred between cadres of the United Kuki National Army (UKNA) and the Chin Kuki Mizo Army (CKMA), both of which are not signatories to the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the Government of India. The deceased militants have been identified by the people familiar with the matter as Alex, Seiboi, Pongba, Ringo, and Rambo, though authorities have yet to confirm which group the deceased belonged to. A person aware of the matter said, 'Both UKNA and CKMA are recently formed groups and are mainly composed of armed elements from the Chin-Kuki community. Their operations are spread across the hill districts of Manipur and extend to parts of the Indo-Myanmar border.' Officials believe the gunfight was the result of rising tensions and competition between the two factions over territorial and organisational control. 'There has been a consistent tussle for dominance between these non-SoO groups. The situation has worsened ever since UKNA was allegedly involved in the assassination of the deputy commander-in-chief of the Kuki National Army (KNA) on June 30,' an officer said on condition of anonymity. The slain KNA leader, a member of a group that is a signatory to the SoO pact, was reportedly gunned down by UKNA cadres, sparking unrest and intensifying rifts within the broader Chin-Kuki militant landscape. Security agencies have since stepped up surveillance and movement tracking in and around the incident area, but no formal statement has yet been issued by either the Manipur Police or central paramilitary forces regarding the deaths or any ongoing counter-operations. As of Tuesday evening, the situation in Deiveijang village and surrounding forested areas remained tense.
Hindustan Times
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
CRPF, BSF to guard Manipur farmers: Official
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Border Security Force (BSF) personnel have begun implementing security measures in agricultural fields in the foothills of Manipur, similar to those used in Punjab and West Bengal where security forces guard farmers at border villages, officials said on Friday. CRPF, BSF to guard Manipur farmers: Official The development comes a day after Meitei farmers were attacked on Thursday by gunmen from the hills, with one of them sustaining bullet injuries. The incident triggered a heavy exchange of fire between security forces and the assailants. A Kuki woman was struck by a stray bullet in the crossfire and later succumbed to her injuries. 'We identified sensitive locations at the foothills where there are farming fields. Personnel from security forces are with the farmers in the valley to ensure that there are no clashes,' a senior officer aware of the matter said on condition of anonymity. 'Orders have been issued for the security forces, primarily CRPF, to remain on guard in the hills too. They will ensure that there are no armed people hiding. On both sides of the hills and the valley, there are personnel of the Manipur police along with the paramilitary forces.' Another reason behind the posting of security personnel at these flash points stems from the ongoing talks between Kuki insurgent groups under Suspension of Operations (SoO) and the Centre over the renewal of the peace pact. Earlier this month, the ministry of home affairs (MHA) resumed talks with the insurgent groups and are discussing new ground rules before taking a call on renewing the peace agreement, which has been strongly objected by Meitei groups. The tripartite SoO agreement –– signed by the Centre, the Manipur government and Kuki militant groups in August 2008 –– has been renewed every year until February 28, 2023, when it was kept in abeyance. The renewal process was halted over allegations against cadres of SoO groups indulging in ethnic clashes in Manipur and training village defence volunteers. The SoO groups have denied both charges. Just last week, clashes erupted between Meitei and Kuki communities in the same foothill area as farmers went to a land that Kukis said belonged to them. 'It is a coincidence that it is the rice sowing season and talks are also ongoing. Farmers will have to go to their fields near the foothills, which is a vulnerable area. There will be groups trying to politicise the situation by fuelling violence, so, the government is providing security to the farmers,' the officer cited above said, adding that the move is a precautionary measure. Following Thursday's attack, Meitei umbrella group COCOMI demanded adequate security for farmers in the foothills. 'This appears to be a deliberate act of provocation an attempt to instil fear among farmers and destabilize peace in the valley. Our farmers must be protected, not persecuted,' COCOMI convener Khujairam Athouba said. 'The current security line must be shifted to ensure this. Deployment of two additional companies for regular mobile patrolling is necessary, while existing static posts must remain in place. The affected farming areas must be declared a 'No Arms Zone' with shoot-at-sight orders against any unauthorized armed intruders to deter further attacks.'
