Govt to extend SoO with Kuki militants

IMPHAL, November 21: The Additional DG, law and order, LM Khaute today met representatives of Kuki militant groups to discuss the further extension of ‘Suspension of Operation’, SoO between the groups and the governments.

The last extension that was signed for three months expires tomorrow.

As per the information received, the Additional DG further assured the militants groups that the spirit and principles of the ground rules will remain the same even after the expiry of the agreement tomorrow.

He further assured the groups that the state government would pursue the matter with the Union Home Ministry so that the extension took place as soon as possible.

He said, “The ground rules will be continued even after the expiry of the agreement tomorrow as the agreement would be extended in a few days time by the Centre. And, the process for the extension is on.”

The twenty Kuki militant groups that comes under the two umbrella bodies of Kuki National Organisation, KNO and United People Front, UPF, have been on tripartite cease-fire agreement with the state and central govt since August 2005.

The militant groups are now staying in their designated camp.

The militant groups that are fighting for a separate Kuki state, have been pressing the government to initiate political dialogues with the groups by stating that 7-years time is enough to initiate a political dialogue.

Meanwhile, sources reveal that the delegation of the Kuki militant groups also assured the Additional Director General of Police that the militant groups would try their best to call off the current blockade which were imposed by the Kuki State Demand Committee, KSDC.

It may be mentioned that KSDC have calls indefinite blockade since Saturday to all national and state highways demanding for initiation of political dialogue between the groups and the Centre.