Several Manipur MLAs demand revoking of SoO, replacement of Assam Rifles

 35 MLAs, including 7 Naga MLAs raise abrogate SoO call: Delhi urged to take concrete steps

Sanghai Express, 23 January 2024 :  As many as 35 legislators from the ruling parties of the State have asked the Government of India to stop Myanmar based militants from attacking security forces and civilians in Manipur and abrogate Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement immediately.

The 35 legislators including seven Naga MLAs namely; SS Olish, Janghem-lung Panmei, L Dikho, D Gangmei, Leishiyo Keishing, Ram Muivah and Awangbow Newmai held a meeting on Sunday (January 21) and resolved that SoO agreement must be abrogated immediately.

The Suspension of Operation (SoO) pact with the armed militant groups, and the immunity it provides to these groups, is the main cause of the never-ending cycle of violence, said the 35 MLAs.

Thus, Suspension of Operation with militants who indulge in killing of innocent civilians and violation of ground rules should be abrogated immediately, said the foremost resolution adopted at the meeting.

The SoO agreement with other militant groups which also indulge in anti-State activities should not be extended beyond its expiry date of February 29, 2024, it added.

The second resolution demanded complete disarmament of all illegal arms in the possession of miscreants and unauthorized persons in the entire State.

Armed attacks (using sophisticated weaponry such as Rocket Propelled Grenade launchers) on Indian soil, Indian citizens and State security forces by Myanmar based armed militants must be stopped at all costs.

It will be to the detriment of the prestige of the Republic of India if this cannot be achieved, said the third resolution.

In many of the sensitive areas, Assam Rifles is not responsive and remain mute spectators when unarmed civilians (particularly farmers) are being indiscriminately fired upon frequently.

The claim that their deployment is providing security to the communities residing in these areas has been questioned.

These forces and their leadership (chain of command) need to give strict instructions and be held accountable and replaced with forces that have the ability to act by returning suppressive fire when they observe that unarmed civilians are being fired upon, to enable civilians to get to cover and safety.

Such a reaction, which is wholly appropriate to safeguard the lives of civilians under fire has been non-existent which is why the public's faith and trust in the forces presently deployed at places such as Moreh, Bishnupur, Imphal West, Kakching etc has been shattered, the legislators pointed out in their resolutions forwarded to Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

"We have unanimously resolved that the Government of India should take up appropriate action at the earliest.

If the Government of India is unable to take any positive action as per these demands, we the legislators will take appropriate action in consultation with the public", the legislators stated.