Imphal, Jun 4 : The suspension of operations, SoO, agreements maintained by the Indian Army with several insurgent groups in Manipur for several months now appear not to have the desired effect.
Incidents of wanton extortion, monetary demands and abductions for ransom continue unabated and has even increased after the SoOs came into effect, the influential civil society group, the United Committee, Manipur (UCM), pointed out in a memorandum submitted to the Governor of Manipur, Dr Shivinder Singh Sidhu, seeking his urgent intervention.Citing the present situation of chaos in the border town of Moreh, where border trade has been paralysed for several days because of huge monetary demands imposed by an armed insurgent group, the Kuki National Army, on the Imphal-Moreh highway, the UCM said it was a clear indication of the unrestrained freedom allowed to the militant groups under the SoOs.
The Kuki National Army is one of several ethnic Kuki militant groups observing suspension of operations with the Indian Army.
“Rather than curtailing the unlawful activities of these groups, the SoO has enabled the groups to carry out subversive activities more freely and openly,” the UCM contended.
Asking if these groups have been provided with license to kill, harass and exploit innocent people, the UCM questioned why these activities were taking place despite presence of thousands of security personnel.
While appreciating the intentions behind the SoOs, the UCM called for a more pragmatic policy to tackle the problem of insurgency. It said the interest of the public should be kept paramount by the government in its efforts to settle the problems besetting the state.
Several armed insurgent groups of Manipur mostly belonging to ethnic Kuki groups have signed suspension of operation with the Indian Army. The Manipur government had initially objected, as the agreements were made without its knowledge or consent. However a move is currently under way for the state government to formally participate in the SoOs after framing appropriate ground rules, including restrictions on the movement of militant cadres, and disclosure of their strength and firepower.
SNS
Incidents of wanton extortion, monetary demands and abductions for ransom continue unabated and has even increased after the SoOs came into effect, the influential civil society group, the United Committee, Manipur (UCM), pointed out in a memorandum submitted to the Governor of Manipur, Dr Shivinder Singh Sidhu, seeking his urgent intervention.Citing the present situation of chaos in the border town of Moreh, where border trade has been paralysed for several days because of huge monetary demands imposed by an armed insurgent group, the Kuki National Army, on the Imphal-Moreh highway, the UCM said it was a clear indication of the unrestrained freedom allowed to the militant groups under the SoOs.
The Kuki National Army is one of several ethnic Kuki militant groups observing suspension of operations with the Indian Army.
“Rather than curtailing the unlawful activities of these groups, the SoO has enabled the groups to carry out subversive activities more freely and openly,” the UCM contended.
Asking if these groups have been provided with license to kill, harass and exploit innocent people, the UCM questioned why these activities were taking place despite presence of thousands of security personnel.
While appreciating the intentions behind the SoOs, the UCM called for a more pragmatic policy to tackle the problem of insurgency. It said the interest of the public should be kept paramount by the government in its efforts to settle the problems besetting the state.
Several armed insurgent groups of Manipur mostly belonging to ethnic Kuki groups have signed suspension of operation with the Indian Army. The Manipur government had initially objected, as the agreements were made without its knowledge or consent. However a move is currently under way for the state government to formally participate in the SoOs after framing appropriate ground rules, including restrictions on the movement of militant cadres, and disclosure of their strength and firepower.
SNS
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