Manipur Peace Process at Crossroads: COCOMI cautions in extending SoO agreement with Chin-Kuki Narco-Terrorist groups

Imphal: In a significant development, the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has urged the government to exercise caution and conduct a thorough reassessment before extending the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the Chin-Kuki narco-terrorist groups. In a letter submitted to the Prime Minister’s office in New Delhi, COCOMI emphasised the critical need for careful consideration regarding the extension of the SoO in Manipur.

The upcoming expiry date of the SoO pact with Chin-Kuki narco-terrorist groups on February 29, 2024, has prompted COCOMI to express deep concerns. Despite multiple extensions since 2008 under the pretext of political dialogue, the peace process in Manipur remains elusive. The letter highlighted the escalating violence in Manipur, providing evidence of Kuki militant groups’ direct involvement in targeted attacks against the Indian Army and state police personnel.

COCOMI alleged that Kuki Zo militant groups’ armed cadres have been involved in violence over the past 8-9 months, repeatedly violating the SoO agreement’s ground rules. This reality underscores the urgent need for caution and a comprehensive reevaluation of any decisions related to extending the SoO agreement.

The civil body organization called on the Government of India to exercise extreme caution and refrain from hastily extending the SoO agreement without thorough scrutiny. Additionally, COCOMI urged immediate and decisive action to address SoO ground rule violations and illegal activities perpetrated by these groups, prioritizing the safety and security of Manipur’s indigenous people.

Furthermore, COCOMI claimed that the continued engagement with and legitimization of armed Chin-Kuki narco-terrorist groups by the Government of India not only violates the fundamental rights of indigenous Meetei citizens but also risks legitimising their presence in Manipur.

Highlighting the gravity of the situation, the letter referenced the Manipur government’s decision to withdraw from the SoO agreement and declare Chin-Kuki armed groups as terrorists on March 10, 2023. COCOMI emphasised that this decision warrants careful consideration in any future deliberations regarding the SoO agreement.

As the deadline approaches, COCOMI’s plea for caution and reevaluation carries significant implications for the peace and security of Manipur. The government faces the challenging task of balancing political dialogue with the pressing need to address escalating violence and ground rule violations by the Chin-Kuki narco-terrorist groups in the region.